Making my first wrap skirt was exciting experience. I learned to make binding, machine sewed my first button hole, customized the pattern and practiced hemming.
I used a pattern from my favorite Improv Sewing book and modified the binding at the waist into longer wrap around ties.
For this project I used a lovely light green jersey fabric with a delicate pattern. I cut out three identical panels adding an inch to the bottoms for hemming. In the future I will also add 3/4 inch width to two of the panels so not to loose width from the hemming.
Before cutting I made sure my pattern would line up.
Then I stitched the panels together.
Using a 3/4 inch double-fold hem for the sides and a 1 inch double-fold hem on the bottom, I hemmed my skirt.
I used an improv miter at the cormers.
Next I made custom binding for the waist and wrap around ties using 4 inch strips of fabric. It was a time consuming process but the only hard part was lining up my pattern to begin with.
My binding used an off-set triple fold and measured one inch wide when completed.
I made a 113 inch long piece of binding and used it for both the skirt waist and the ties. Because the jersey fabric is so stretchy there is too much give when tying the skirt. Next time I will line my jersey binding with iron-on fabric stabilizer or use two buttons instead.
I inserted the top edge of the skirt into the binding leaving 17 inches to one side and 44 inches to the other. In this way I completed the skirt waist and ties in one step. I stitched the length of the binding with a narrow zigzag stitch.
To finish the ties I cut the ends at an angle and stitched them.
Finally, I machine stitched the button hole for my tie to thread through. I used tear-away fabric stabilizer to help hold it all in place.
The finished skirt is light and fun and most importantly, ready for spring.
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