Pattern Hack: Stretch Skater Skirt

Use our Ladies Skater Skirt (woven) pattern to make yourself a stretch skater skirt.

I whipped the black one below up in about 15 minutes. It took me longer to cut than to sew. We chose a one way stretch jersey in black with contrasting turquoise twill elastic waistband (available in-store). Oh and this is long length too (C2).

(Pictured) Fabric: Poly Jersey. Elastic: Black Ruffle Elastic (see website). Length: C2.

1. PATTERN USED:

Ladies Skater Skirt Pattern. Available via the website. Click here.

This little hack is so easy, you'll whip up a stretch skater skirt in no time at all. We're talking 4 seams here! Seriously easy.

2. YOUR FABRIC:

You can use any sort of stretch your like; one-way or two-way stretch (some people like to call them two-way & four-way stretch). I tested on both & found them both comfortable & easy to wear.

Okay here goes... let's get started.

3. YOUR NEW STRETCH SIZE:

Because stretch fabric fits over your body very differently from woven fabrics, we need to work out which line to cut on the pattern a different way than we do in the Skater Skirt Tutorial. So, here what you need to do….

1. Grab your tape measure

 2. Measure your waist or your lower waist, wherever you prefer to wear your skirt (although, it really is interchangable as stretch is just so accomodating)

3. From the table below select the size that is closest to your measurement (as this is stretch, I'd go down rather than up)

4. Then select the corresponding new line for you to cut along. This is your new measurement A. 

4. YOUR NEW PATTERN PIECES:

Refer back to your pattern & trace around A, B, C, D.

A is your new measurement from the table above & C can be any line you like.

5. CUTTING YOUR SKIRT:

Cut 2 on the fold in your fabulous fabric.

6. SEWING YOUR SKIRT: 

Overlock/serge your sides seams. Refer to YOUR overlocker/serger manual for the best stitch to use on stretch fabrics for your machine. 

7. ATTACHING YOUR ELASTIC: 

Use either Method 1 or Method 2 below to attach your elastic.

METHOD 1:

This method has your elastic sitting on top of your skirt. This is the best method to follow if you're using Ruffle Elastic & can be used for your regular elastic too.

• Cut your elastic - See Style A in your Skater Skirt pattern to determine elastic length.
• Sew your elastic in a circle & finish with technique shown in Step 13, page 13.
• Attach your skirt to your elastic following Steps 5-10 in your Skater Skirt Tutorial (pages 12-13).

(Pictured) Fabric: Poly Jersey. Elastic: Black Ruffle Elastic.  Length: C2.

This method has your skirt attached to the bottom of your elastic like a normal waistband. 

• With right sides together, pin skirt to elastic.
• Overlock around waist. Flip elastic up once sewn.

8. FINISHING:  

Secure the ends of your overlocking at the hem of your skirt. You can either use the flip technique (see here for a short tutorial) or simply sew a quick straight stitch in the seam to hold your overlocking ends down or you can follow your manuals instructions for finishing seams. 

(Pictured) Fabric: Nylon Spandex. Elastic: Pinkish Purple Twill Elastic (see website). Length: C1