I like my skirts fast and cheap: a tutorial

So, I went ahead and did it. It only took about 1/2-hour, and used up 1/4 of a sheet I had thrifted for $4. Quick and inexpensive – just the way I like it

Would you like to know how to make your own fun and full Spring skirt? It’s pretty easy.

Here’s what you need:

• twin-size flat sheet (72″x104″)
• yard stick
• washout cloth marker
• scissors
• sewing machine
• thread to coordinate with the sheet
• iron
• 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch elastic to fit comfortably around your waist

Cut out the fabric:

Determine how long you want your skirt to be, and add 1.5 inches to that number. Mine was 21 inches, but let’s refer to that number as X.

Fold the sheet in half lengthwise and spread it out. We will be using the hemmed edge of the sheet as our skirt hem, saving us the trouble of doing it ourselves. Measuring from that hem, use the yard stick to mark off X inches in several places along the length of the hem. Connect the marked dots, and cut along them.

You should now have a single piece of cloth, 72″ x X”.

Sew it together:

Fold in half, right sides together, so the two selvage edges meet. Stitch together along the selvages, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. You should now have a tube with a 71″ circumference.

Make the elastic casing:

Fold the raw edge at the top of the tube over 3/4″ and press. Fold down another 3/4″ and press again.

Stitch along the inner edge of the fold all the way around the top of the skirt, leaving about a 1-inch opening near the seam.

Thread the elastic into the opening, through the casing, and back out the opening again. Stitch the elastic together and close the opening in the casing.

Enjoy:

Try on your skirt, pose for a picture, and tell everybody you know that this skirt only cost you $1 and a half-hour of your time

Things to note:

• This makes a very full skirt.  If you prefer something less full, you can always cut thirty to forty inches off of the width.
• I’ve never tried to explain how to sew anything before, so there may be some confusing bits. If so, please let me know and I’ll do my best to clarify!