How to Sew a Multi-tiered Broomstick Skirt

The popularity of the broomstick skirt has waxed and waned over the years. It is a full skirt, usually ankle length, and is best when made from 100% cotton calico fabric. The name derives from the process of starching the skirt and then wrapping it while still wet around the wooden handle of a broom, to give it a unique crinkled look. With the wide range of fabrics available, choosing contrasting or complimentary colors for all the tiers can be satisfying and fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• 3/4" wide elastic
• Starch
• Water
• Broom handle
• Twine
• Rubber Band
• Pantyhose

1. After picking the fabric and deciding which fabric to use for each layer, cut the fabric to the lengths and widths in Step 2. These are the finished length sizes, so allow extra fabric for seam allowances if you have to piece lengths together.

2. Top Tier - 6 1/2" wide X 46" long.
   Tiers 2 through 11 are all 4 1/2" wide and lengths are - 46", 56", 66", 76", 86", 96", 106", 116", 126" and 136".

3. Mark center front on first tier strip. On 2nd. tier strip sew 2 rows of gathering stitches along top edge. Pin 2nd. tier to 1st. tier with right sides together, evenly distributing the gathers. Sew edges together.

4. Continue through all tiers, sewing gathering stitches, pinning one tier to the previous tier, evenly distributing gathers and sewing edges together.

5. When all tiers are assembled, sew back seam closed from top to bottom to form a tube. On the top tier turn down the top edge and sew a 1" casing, leaving an opening for the elastic. Measure 3/4" wide elastic to fit snugly around your waist. Thread the elastic through the casing. Sew the ends of the elastic together and stitch the opening closed. This forms the waist band. Measure the skirt for length and then sew hem in bottom edge.

6. Make up a solution of 1/2 cup starch in 2 cups of water. Soak the skirt in the solution and squeeze out the excess. Put the skirt over a wooden broom handle and fasten the top with a rubber band. Fasten a length of twine to the top of the broomstick and wrap it tightly around the skirt from top to bottom and tie it off.

7. Let the skirt dry - this can take a couple of days. After wearing the skirt or if packing it for a trip, roll the skirt up lengthwise, and put it in one leg of a pair of pantyhose, to keep the scrunched-up look.