DIY Maxi Skirt

I have been obsessed with maxi skirts lately! I don't know if it's because of summer time or if it's just because they are so comfortable! Either way, I knew I could make my own cheaper than I could buy some. While I was at Walmart the other day I found this mustard colored fabric and thought it would make a gorgeous maxi. It was super cheap so I bought some and also a white liner fabric, since it was slightly thin and see through. I browsed a few different tutorials first since it was my first time sewing a skirt. (Actually it was my first time sewing a piece of clothing from scratch aside from Barbie clothes!) I found this one from One Simple Bliss to be the one I liked the most. Please check out her tutorial for a more in depth look at how to make this style of maxi.

Here are the materials I used:
1.5 yards of fabric
1.5 yards of liner fabric (if your other fabric is too thin or sheer)
1.5" wide elastic
thread

In retrospect I recommend using at least 2 yards of fabric. I realized the 1.5 yards after washed and dried and trimmed was too tight around my ankles to walk comfortably. I have to sew a slit in mine to fix that problem.

To figure the length of elastic you need, just measure around your waist where you want the skirt to sit and subtract about 1-2 inches.

To figure the length of your skirt, measure from  the waist to the floor and add 3 inches. I think mine was 46". * Make sure you have washed and dried your fabric before measuring and trimming.

Now if you have two pieces of fabric like I did, pin the inner fabric to the wrong side of your outer fabric. This edge on my fabric was the bolt edge so I didn't hem the edge. You can, though, if you think it will fray. just fold over 1/2 inch and then pin together.

Next sew a basting stitch across the top of the fabric. Use your lightest tension setting and longest stitch width. Do not back stitch or lock your stitch at the beginning or end!

Now pull one of the strings to make the ruffle pleats in the fabric. See the tutorial I mentioned above if you need to see more in depth information on this. You want the ruffled length of the fabric to be the same length as your elastic piece.

Now you will pin the fabric to the elastic. I basically pinned the elastic to the right side of the outer fabric, so the edges were even. Now sew them together with a zig-zag stitch. (Don't forget to reset your tension and stitch width on your machine!)

Now you will need to sew the edges together. With one fabric you will only have to do this once. Just fold the fabric in half, right sides together, then pin and sew a straight stitch all the way down, making sure you stitch the ends of the elastic together as well. If you are worried about this edge fraying, go back over it with a short width zig-zag stitch.

If your edges are super straight you could sew both fabrics together, but my fabric was a little difficult to work with. so I sewed mine separately. First I sewed the inner fabric together, making sure not to accidentally sew over the outer fabric. Then I sewed the outer. ( Sorry there are no pictures, I kept forgetting to take them!)

Here is the skirt so far without the bottom hemmed.

To hem the bottom edge, I folded (both layers together) over a half inch, then ironed it all around. To keep my two fabrics neat and tidy I sewed a straight stitch across as well. Now fold the edge over again, this time 2", then iron and straight stitch around again.

That's it! Done! If you use a jersey knit or any fabric that won't fray, you can go without hemming the bottom. Even easier! Now go make one!