The Elle Skirt

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to share with you that I was mentioned today on the AGF blog for the work I did on the Elle Skirt Tutorial. 

Now I want to show you this super simple and fun skirt that can be dressed-up or it can be worn casually to run every day errands. I majored in Fashion Design and since I've been working in the quilting industry for a while now I have started to incorporate quilt block designs and piecing into my garment creations. For this skirt there are no patterns required, just simple rectangles. This is not a “quilt” block tutorial, but I guess we can say it’s a block skirt tutorial with a paper-bag waist detail.

The fun part is that it’s a very easy and quick project you can create to gift to someone. If you have a special occasion you can pick glittery trims, apply fun beads, and make a modern and chic statement with your creation. Let your creativity be free!

This time I made a sample 6 size skirt because I was experimenting , but if you need to add some width to it, simply measure around your hips, divide that by two, subtract THIS skirt’s width measurement (19”), divide what you got by four and add that measurement on each side of the back panel, and widthwise to pieces 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. You can also decide the length that you prefer; this could be either a fun mini or maxi skirt.

Since the pattern is kind of like a puzzle, I will number the pieces to make it simpler as we go. So cut these (you can use a rotary cutter!):

(1) 17 ½” x 7” rectangle 

(1) 3 ¾” x 7” rectangle 

(1) 21” x 3 ¾” rectangle 

(1) 3 ¾” x 10 ½” rectangle 

(1) 24 ½” x 3 ½” rectangle 

(1) 4 ½” x 13 ¾” rectangle 

(1) 28 ¾” x 6 ½” rectangle 

(1) 28 ¾” x 19 ¾” rectangle 

In addition you will need  22 ½” of ½” wide elastic and matching (or contrasting) thread.

Let’s start! Remember to sew all right sides together with a 1/4" of seam allowance.

Clean all the raw edges of each piece numbers 1-7 since they will be exposed on the wrong side of the fabric, you can do that with a serger or with a zig-zag stitch to prevent unraveling after washing.

I will write out all the steps but you can find a little diagram at the end to help you if you are more of a visual person (like I am).

Sew piece 1 to piece 2 on the width side, always put right sides together. Press seams open as you sew and proceed to attach that to piece 3 lengthwise. Press, press, press, and attach that whole new piece to piece 4, and then it’s simple, attach that whole piece to piece 5, then attach to piece 6 and finish by attaching that piece to the last piece of the front panel (piece 7). It’s just like playing Tetris except you sew as you go.

Now that you have the front and the back ready, you can close the side seams, again, place right side to right side and sew. You can clean those seams with the serger, or if you don’t have one, you can do a zig-zag stitch or even better you can do a French Seam finish on it. Once this let’s-call-it cylinder shape is done, fold and press inward ¼” on the top edge and from that new folded edge, measure 2 ¾” down, fold and press again. 

Now you will do a top stitch all around 1/8” from the first folded edge (the ¼” one). When you are done, do another top stitch 1” from the one you just created, by doing this you create the space where the elastic will go. To introduce the elastic, carefully use a seam ripper to undo a couple of stitches on one of the side seams in between the 1” space, this will give you a cavity to insert the elastic.

So the next step is to insert the elastic. You can attach a safety pin on the side that you are inserting first that way it’s easier to pull the elastic to the other side, also if you scrunch the fabric as you go it will make it easier. Make sure you hold tight to the other side of the elastic because if you let that end go, you will have to start over... so hold it firmly and avoid that.

Once you have each end coming out from the opening, put one on top of the other and sew them together lengthwise to secure the elastic well. You might have to “fight” with the piece a little bit, but if you gather all the skirt fabric toward the middle it makes it easier and peaceful to work with the elastic.

You can now accommodate the elastic in place, moving the fabric evenly so that it looks symmetrical. Close the opening by hand with a blind stitch making sure you don’t catch the elastic.

Now all you have to do is the hem. Press ¼” up and from there press 1” up. Do a top stitch all around 7/8” from the edge.

And you’re done! Style away, you can basically wear it anywhere, change the fabrics, add some accessories, and it’s a classic-with-a-twist way to make a statement.

I chose some other fabrics that you can use to change the look of the skirt, I created the digital doodle to show you how you can take this style from day to night:

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please share the photos of your creations so that I can share them with the world!

From Megan With Love