Broomstick Skirt Instructions

When you make your own broomstick skirt, you decide how long and wide to make it.

If you make this skirt too long, you may end up sweeping floors with it. But that is not what gives the broomstick skirt its name. Broomstick skirts are so named because when they are rolled up to dry to maintain their crinkled shape, they are often wrapped around a broomstick. Make your own broomstick skirt so you can control not only how many tiers the skirt has, but also how wide and gathered the skirt and the skirt length.

Things You'll Need

• 3 to 4 yards of 45-inch wide fabric (depending on the length and width of the skirt)
• Ruler or tape measure
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Pins
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine or needle
• 1 1/4-inch elastic
• Rubber bands

Instructions

Make Your Skirt

1. Cut one strip of 12-inch length fabric from the width of your fabric for the first tier. For example, if your fabric is 45-inches wide, you will have a strip that is 12 inches by 45 inches. Cut three strips of 15-inch length fabric from the width of the fabric for the second tier, and cut six strips of 15-inch length fabric from the width for the third tier.

2. Sew the six strips of fabric for the third tier together, using 1/2-inch hems, but leaving the last seam open.

3. Sew together the three strips of fabric for the second tier, using 1/2-inch hems and leaving the last seam open.

4. Gather the third tier together evenly, pinning as you go to the second tier, pinning as you go, until the fabric is distributed evenly and pinned well for the entire length of the fabric.

5. Sew tiers two and three together.

6. Fold over 2 inches of the top of tier one and sew to create the space for the elastic.

7. Gather the second tier together evenly, pinning it as you go to the bottom hem of the first tier until the fabric is distributed evenly and pinned well for the entire length of fabric.

8. Sew tiers one and two together.

9. Sew up the open hem of the skirt lengthwise, leaving the space for the elastic open at the top.

10. Cut a piece of elastic the width of your waist and slip it in through the top hem you created for the elastic. Sew together the elastic and finish the top side seam of the skirt.

11. Sew bottom hem of skirt, using a 1/2-inch hem.

12. Wet the skirt, roll and wrap it into a long tube, twist and secure with rubber bands. Let dry completely and unwrap the skirt.

References

• Erica's: Broomstick Skirt
• Zianet: Southwest Style Broomstick Skirt
• Square Dance Sewing: Tiered Skirt Calculations