How to Sew a Sink Skirt With Velcro

A pedestal or wall sink in the bathroom gives a powder room an old-fashioned appeal, but exposed pipes and clutter beneath the sink bowl make it look untidy. Hide the unsightly mess with a splash of color to give your bathroom an instant update. Attach a sink skirt with Velcro for a fast decorating project -- all it takes is the ability to sew a straight line.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Cotton fabric
• Scissors
• Ironing board
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Self-adhesive Velcro tape

Instructions

1. Measure the distance around the sink where you wish to attach the skirt. Double this measurement and add 1 more inch. Measure the distance from the top edge of the sink to the floor and add 2 inches. Cut out a piece of cotton fabric to the dimensions measured.

2. Preheat the iron to medium-high. Place the fabric on the ironing board with the wrong side facing up. Measure 1 inch along the top and bottom edges of the fabric and fold the fabric over toward you along this 1-inch line. Iron these folds well.

3. Stitch along the full length of the two folded edges with the sewing machine, 3/4 inch in from each folded edge.

4. Place the fabric back on the ironing board with the wrong side facing up and measure 1/2-inch in from each raw, side edge. Fold the fabric toward you along this 1/2-inch line. Iron the folds well.

5. Stitch along the full length of the two folded edges with the sewing machine, sewing 3/8 inch in from each folded edge.

6. Gather the top edge of the fabric by sewing a long basting stitch along the top approximately 1/2 inch in from the edge, and leaving long tails on either end of the thread. Pull the loose ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric until it fits around the sink edge exactly. Stitch along the gathered edge, sewing 1/2 inch down from the top edge, to secure the gathers.

7. Cut a strip of Velcro tape long enough to extend around the sink basin at the point where you intend to attach the skirt. Separate the two halves of the Velcro tape and set the hook half aside.

8. Remove the adhesive backing from the back of the loop half of the Velcro tape. Press this Velcro strip around the sink basin. Press down the tape again along the entire strip to ensure that it adheres securely.

9. Remove the adhesive backing from the back of the hook half of the Velcro tape and attach it to the wrong side of the gathered edge of the fabric. Line the strip up carefully so it is parallel to the top edge and press it down securely onto the fabric.

10. Attach the two strips of Velcro to each other to hang the skirt around the sink.

References

• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home"; Mary Ann Young, et. al.; 2000