Stilettos & Diapers

by Molly Wey

DIY· Fashion· Make it easier· Maxi Skirt

Easy DIY Maxi Skirt


I love this DIY maxi skirt. It’s like leggings, but even comfier. And I feel a little dressed up when I wear it. And it’s so easy to make.

photo file_zps1b64ec3c.jpg

 
Now, I’m no professional seamstress. But, I made the skirt and got so many comments from y’all asking for the tutorial. So here it is. With no professional terms and badly lit pics taken in my basement where the sewing machine is. 

What you’ll need:


Jersey knit
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Measuring tape
Pins
Scissors 


A lot of fabric comes 60″ wide. That should be plenty of length for most gals, so you’ll need as much as you are wide, plus a little. I bought 1.5 yards for this skirt. 
photo file_zpsaca59bc9.jpg
You’re going to be working with 3 measurements.


1. Top. This measurement needs to be taken around where you want the skirt to sit. I wear mine low, around my hipbones. I measure 30″, so 15″ is my top measurement. 


2. Length. This is the length from where you want your skirt to start, to the floor, plus 6-8″ for your folded waistband. It just depends on how much you want to fold. I fold twice and have about a 4″ yoga pant style foldover top. 


3. Bottom. This is your top measurement plus 5″. This gives you room to walk without too much of a flair. 


Get Started:


Fold your large piece in half and cut it to the desired length first. 


Then, start measuring from the folded side and mark the top and bottom measurements with a pencil or piece of chalk and cut the non folded side. You can lay your measuring tape out (or anything long and straight) at a diagonal between the 2 and cut into your skirt shape. Make sure you are not cutting the folded side! 


This is what you will end up with. 
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Put a few pins in to hold it together and sew all the way up the open side. I use jersey needles because they’re easier. You can get a pack for a couple bucks wherever you buy your fabric. 
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Trim the excess material off close to the seam and turn the skirt right side out. 
photo file_zps51cb173e.jpg

Notice I don’t allow extra room for seams, because this is a fitted skirt. You want it to stretch a bit over your hips so it doesn’t fall down. You can always stitch it in a little more if  it’s too loose. 


That’s it! You can fold the top down 1 large fold or 2 smaller folds. The jersey knit doesn’t fray, so you don’t need to do any hemming. I’ve washed my gray one countless times and although it has shrunk up just a bit, there was plenty of folded room at the top to make it long enough.


Here is the black one I made in the pictures. 

 

Now go make yourself one! Or 5. I won’t judge you for living your entire life in them. Here is a good deal on the jersey knit fabric and in several colors! 


Comments

  1. courtney says

    I really love this! I want to make one or a few. I actually think this would be really comfy to wear home from the hospital after I Give birth coming soon in March. I love the black one, but is it stretchy or anything? And you have to get a certain fabric for it? I really like how simple it is and so comfy looking!

  10. Casey and Katalyn Pickett says

    It is my understanding that you're supposed to use a zigzag stitch on jersey so that your seam doesn't tear when it stretches. Did you use a zig-zag or a straight? If a straight has it worked out?

  11. Amy Long says

    Quick question: in your picture do you cut on a diagonal from the top 15" down to the bottom 20" of the skirt? Then sew the diagonal side? Sorry, I'm not much of a sewer, but I might be able to do this!

    Thank you:)

  12. Kortnie Wertzbaugher says

    I just made one out of one yard of fabric. The walmart lady messed up and there wasn't enough for another one and half yards so she gave me both pieces (2 yards total) for $1! I didn't want to waste the material so I did everything but the yoga waistband. I took the remainder of the material and made a yoga band and sewed it all together! Thanks for the great tutorial! I'm getting ready to make a second skirt!

  13. Jane Carr says

    We have a $1.99 a yard fabric store near us, and they sell some pretty colored jersey knits. I'm excited now! I need some pretty skirts for summer. Could you even make this skirt shorter? Like just below the knee? I would just have to cut it shorter right? Anyways, I love this tutorial! It's so simple, that even I want to whip out my sewing machine and try it!
    Thank you!!

  16. Zoe says

    Cute skirt, it really suits you and is so easy to make 🙂
    I've tried on maxi skirts but always felt like they didn't suit me.

  17. Samantha J Rice says

    I have made two of these, one I added an easy circle skirt to the top and made it into a beach cover up dress. and I just made one this morning of some teal fabric with a thin black stripe. They are so comfortable. Thanks!
    Samantha

  18. Deanna says

    Ok silly question Im sure but the side that you stitch up, does it look funny that the other side is not stitched or do you wear that part in the back? Love this tutorial!!

  19. Molly Minch says

    Did you use a ballpoint needle when you sewed these skirts? They're so cute and I would love to make one, but I've read that knits tear a lot easier when you use a standard needle.

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