Go for the gold!
Skirts with elastic waistbands are favorites because they’re easy to make, they’re comfortable to wear, and they’re great for all ages. We’ve got a couple of tricks to make this staple a bit more special. In this sewing tutorial, we’ll show you a ‘clean finish’ sewing method, which means that all the raw edges of the fabric are hidden. Then, we’ve added a little glitz and glam to our skirts by using metallic waistband elastic. A basic wearable, elevated!
Here are the sewing supplies you’ll need to get started:
- 1/2 – 5/8 yard of cotton fabric
- Dritz® waistband elastic (black and metallic gold shown)
- Dritz® Fray Check™ liquid seam sealant
- Dritz® hem gauge
- Dritz® Mark-B-Gone marking pen
- Basic sewing supplies
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Iron and ironing board
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1) Add 1-5/8″ to your desired finished length measurement. Cut full width of cotton fabric to this length. (This will make a 1″ hem. For a deeper or double-fold hem, add additional length.) |
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2) Serge top and bottom edges of skirt. With right sides together, serge side seams together trimming off selvage edges. Press seam flat to one side. Seal seam ends with Fray Check™. |
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3) If you don’t have a serger, just trim off selvages. With wrong sides together, stitch ends with a 1/4″ seam. Press seam open. On wrong side, fold right sides together, along stitched seam. Stitch again 3/8″ from fold for a French seam. Press to one side. |
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4) Fold bottom hem up 1″ and press. Stitch hem with sewing machine about 3/4″ from edge. If no serger, turn raw edge of hem under 1/4″ before stitching. |
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5) Cut waistband elastic to waist measurement. Align raw edges, right sides together, and stitch with 3/8″ seam. Open seam allowances and stitch each side flat. |
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6) Divide elastic and skirt into eighths. Fold in half with seam on one side. Mark the opposite side with pin or marker. Bring pins together and mark the new folds on each side. Your skirt and elastic will be marked into quarters. Bring each pin together to mark the halfway point between each pin. Your skirt and elastic are now marked into eighths. |
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7) With wrong sides together, align lower edge of elastic with top of skirt at each pin or mark. Match skirt and elastic seams for the back of the skirt. Inset edge of skirt about 1/8″ on elastic. |
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8) Stitch 3/8″ from edge of elastic using a little longer stitch length. Place skirt in machine and secure thread with one or two stitches at back seams. With needle in down position, stretch elastic between pins until fabric lays flat against the elastic. Stitch while stretching elastic and holding onto front and back of fabric. If your edges are raw, don’t worry they will be enclosed later. |
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9) Fold elastic over raw edges to right side of fabric. On wrong side, stretch elastic over end of ironing board and press skirt down at seam. |
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10) With right sides up, stitch along lower edge of elastic. Stretch elastic until fabric is flat and hold firmly while stitching. Gathers will lay flat and all raw edges are enclosed. Now that’s a clean finish! You like? |
This is a great skirt for you and your little ones! Choose from the wide color selection of Dritz® soft waistband elastics – you’re sure to find something that is perfect for your fabrics.
Let us know how you like this sewing method & have fun!
