Are you looking for a simple little project to start sewing?! This skirt is ideal, it is also the first woven garment that I made when I started to sew.
Materials needed:
- Scissors/ rotary cutter
- Tape measure
- Rule
- Pencil or fabric marker
- Cotton, linen, chambray, etc. style fabric
- Matching thread
- Elastic (the width is up to you)
- Elastic threader or a safety pin will do
Quantity of fabric:
For a fabric with a width of 1m40-1m50, you will need once the height of the desired skirt. For a fabric with a width of 1m10, you will need twice the desired height of the skirt.
My measurements:
- Waist: 21in
- Hips: 40in
- Final skirt length: 18" long
I chose a 1 1/2" elastic. The width of the elastic is really up to you. You just have to take that into account when doing your calculations.
To get the length of our skirt panels you will have to do some calculations!
Finished skirt: 18in (that too is up to you)
Sewing allowances:
Elastic: 1 1/2in
Seam allowance for waistband: 1/2"
Easy for elastic: 1/4 in
Bottom of skirt: 2" (1" finished)
Length with seam allowance= 26 3/4
The length you just calculated is actually the length you need for a fabric 1.40m to 1.50m wide. For a narrower fabric, you will have to take twice this length if it is for an adult.
Skirt width calculation
My hips are 41". In order not to waste any fabric, I simply took the width of my fabric, which was 1m50 wide, and I separated it into two equal panels. For a thinner person and a child you can calculate between x1.3 and x2 the hip circumference depending on the effect you want to have.
Elastic calculation
To calculate my elastic I went directly around my waist to get the size that suited me, it's the easiest and most reliable method. But generally we can calculate between 90% to 80%.
Example: 31 (waist) x 90%= 27.9"
You wonder when do we take 80% or 90%? If your elastic is very flexible, I advise you to calculate it with 80%, if it is stiffer at 90%. It will also depend on your preferences. Some people prefer it to be tighter, others don't.
Side Joining
1. Before assembling the sides, secure your edges with an overlock or a zigzag.
2. Sew the front and back sides together, right sides together.
3. Open your seams with an iron
Finishing the bottom of the skirt
1. Fold your bottom 2" then iron to mark the fold
2. Unfold the bottom, then fold it 1 inch (thus against the first fold). Be careful you have to leave yourself a little play so that it does not make a bump.
3. Go over the edge. Be careful not to iron the first fold you made!
4. Now fold the plie on itself and finalize the plie with an iron
5. You are now going to sew it on the edge, keeping your fabric flat
Elastic waistband construction
1. Fold your top edge of the skirt 1/2" then iron
2. Fold your strip a second time. Here you need to take the width of your elastic + 1/4" (for ease). So here I fold it by 1 3/4 since I have a 1 1/2 elastic.
3. Sew around the edge all the way around, leaving about 2" of space to insert your elastic. 
4. Insert your elastic.
TIP: Pin the second edge of the elastic to your fabric so you don't lose it in your fabric
5. Juxtapose your two edges of elastic together at 3/4 inch, be careful not to turn them. Make a straight stitch. Try on the skirt, if the elastic suits you go to the next step. Otherwise simply shorten the elastic if the skirt is too loose.
6. Close the opening left for the elastic. Be careful not to sew the elastic.
Here is your finished skirt ! Do not hesitate to show us your creation on Facebook or on Instagram @lacasadelacouture.