Flounced skirts are soft, feminine and trendy. Sewing one at home might seem very complicated, but the process is actually quite simple.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Calculating Your Measurements
Step 1. Measure your waist circumference
Wrap a tape measure around your waist, keeping it parallel to the floor and close to your body. Write down the measurements so that you can remember them more easily later.
You need to measure the part of the waist that you want the skirt to rest on. Usually you have to take the measurements of the natural waist, but if you want a low-waisted or high-waisted skirt, just move the meter down or up
Step 2. Cut out the waistband
Add about 2.5 cm to your waist measurement. Measure and cut out considering the extra piece of elastic.
The extra piece of elastic will allow you to close it once inserted into the waistband
Step 3. Determine the length of the skirt you want
Determine where you want the hem of the skirt to fall, then take the measurements from the waist down to that point. Keep the tape measure perpendicular to the floor and note the resulting measurement.
Keep in mind that the waist band will add about another 2.5cm to the skirt. When determining the measurements of each flounce, subtract 2.5 cm from the desired length before using that figure to calculate its width
Step 4. Calculate the size of the flounces
Determine how many you want, then divide the desired length by that number. You will get the width of your finished flounces.
Step 5. Measure the pieces of fabric that will form the base strips of your skirt and the various flounces
Calculate the length of the base of your skirt by multiplying your waist measurement by 1, 5. Calculate the length of the flounces by multiplying the length of the base strips by 2. The width of the fabric strips and the flounces will be the same, and can be calculated by adding 2.5 cm to the desired width of the finished flounces.
If you want the flounces to be even more voluminous, make flounces 2.5 times longer than the base strips
Part 2 of 4: Prepare the Fabric Strips
Step 1. Cut out the fabric
You will need a base strip for each flounce. Cut the strips of the chosen material according to the dimensions calculated previously.
If the fabric is not loose enough to make a full base strip or flounce, two smaller strips will need to be sewn together to form a larger one. Once you have equalized the length of both strips, they should match the total length of your strip plus about 1.5cm. Sew the two strips together on the short sides with a seam allowance of about 6mm
Step 2. Press the edges
To prevent the base strips and flounces from opening, you will need to hem one long side of each strip with a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm. Fold the fabric about 6mm and hold the fold using an iron. Fold back the fabric another 6mm to hide the raw edge, then press again to hold the fold.
- If you have a serger, you can use it for the edges instead of folding the hem. This will make the skirt lighter.
- If you press the iron on the folds of the hems, it will be easier to sew them later, as they will stay in place without the need for pins.
Step 3. Sew the hems
Use a straight stitch to sew each hem. Double seam at each end to secure everything.
Hemming the various strips of fabric before sewing will be easier, as the material will still be straight and flat during this step
Step 4. Form the flounces
For each flounce, start by sewing a stitch directly on the top long side of each strip; you can do it with a sewing machine or by hand. Pull the tail of the thread used to sew the stitch at the end of the strip, in order to wrinkle the fabric, thus creating a flounce. Continue forming the flounces until the strips are the same size as their respective base strips.
- The "top" edge of each strip should be opposite the hemmed edge.
- You may need to style the flounces to even out the various ripples along the pulled strand.
- To sew the stitch (from which to pull the thread) by hand, simply sew a stitch of about 1.5 cm along the top edge of the fabric. Leave a long piece of yarn at the end so that you can pull and pucker the fabric.
- To sew the stitch using a sewing machine, set the stitch length in the longest position and the highest tension possible. Leave a long piece of thread at the end, then shape the ripples by pulling on the bobbin thread.
Part 3 of 4: Forming the Parts of the Skirt
Step 1. Sew the bottom together
Place the first flounce under the first base strip, right sides together, aligning them over the top seam. Snap the two pieces together, then sew them together lengthwise at the top edge. Use a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm.
- Due to the irregular nature of the flounces, it is better to use more pins to hold the pieces together; these will hold the flounces firmly and in place.
- Check the band obtained once you have finished sewing the pieces together, to make sure there are no strange wrinkles or folds.
- If desired, this connecting seam can be removed with the serger, but it is not necessary.
Step 2. Fold the strip
Open the connected strips so that the obverse is visible. Iron the fabric flat along the seam.
When you place the strip on a surface, the base strip should be above the flounce
Step 3. Add the second flounce
Place the next flounce over the base strip of the bottom of the skirt, with the right side facing out. Place the next base strip on top of this, with the straight side visible. Line up along the top edge, pin together, then sew along the top edge leaving about 1.5cm of seam allowance.
As previously stated, it is advisable to use more pins to preserve the ruffles of the flounces as you proceed with the stitching
Step 4. Lift the top base strip
Fold the base strip upwards, in order to view the straight side of the fabric. Use the iron along the newly created seam to flatten it.
This base strip should now be on top of the rest of the skirt
Step 5. Add the rest of the flounces in the same way
The rest of the flounces should be sewn to the top of the skirt in the same way the second tier was sewn.
- Insert the flounce between the base strip of the previous layer you sewed and the new strip. The strip and the flounce must face outwards, but the new base strip must always be internal.
- Pin the various layers of fabric together before sewing along the top edge with a 1.5 cm seam allowance.
- Lift the base strip and iron the new layer flat before moving on to the next layer.
- Repeat these steps until all the flounces and base strips have been added.
Part 4 of 4: Part Four: Assemble the Skirt
Step 1. Sew the side of the skirt
Once all the various tiers of bands are sewn together, fold the fabric in half crosswise with the right sides together and the wrong side facing out. Stop it all, then sew along the joined edge with a 1.5cm allowance.
Sew along the edge from bottom to top, stopping just before the top base strip. You don't have to sew the ends of the top base strip together yet
Step 2. Create a pocket to insert the elastic for the waist
With the skirt inside out, fold the top base strip towards you, creating a pocket equal to or a little larger than the width of your elastic waistband. Secure with pins and then sew this pocket.
- Sew along the open edge of the pocket with as little seam allowance as possible. Do not sew the short sides of the closed pocket, as they will be the ones where you will insert the elastic.
- It should not be necessary to fold the open edge under the pocket to hide it. If you have followed the previous instructions carefully, the raw edge should not be visible and it should already have the edge.
- You could use an iron to flatten the pocket once it is sewn.
Step 3. Insert the elastic into the waist pocket
Attach a small safety pin to one end of the elastic and a larger one to the other end. Insert the end of the elastic with the small safety pin inside the pocket, then use your fingers to slide the pin through the pocket until it comes out from the opposite side.
The small safety pin will make it easier for the elastic to pass through the pocket, while the large one will hold the other end of it firmly
Step 4. Sew the ends of the elastic together
Overlap the ends of the elastic by about 1.5 cm. Pin them together, then sew them together with needle and thread.
Step 5. Sew the waistband
Insert the ends of the elastic into the previously sewn pocket, then join the raw edges of the pocket together. Sew them using a allowance of about 1.5 cm.
Step 6. Try on the skirt
Turn the skirt straight, put it on and look in the mirror to see how it fits you. The skirt should be the desired length and the elastic should be snug at the waist.
