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Gathering a skirt is an easy and fun project that anyone can do! With the right materials, tools, and instructions, it’s possible to make a professional-looking garment in no time.
It’s true; even beginners with minimal sewing experience can create beautiful skirts for any occasion. Gathering fabric takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to transform simple rectangles into stylish garments easily.
In this article, we will show you step by step how to measure, cut out, sew together, and finish your own gathered skirt pattern perfectly every time.
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Gathering a skirt is an easy and fun project for beginners with minimal sewing experience.
- Lightweight to medium-weight woven fabrics are best for a gathered skirt pattern, and the gather ratio can be multiplied by 1.5 or 2 for desired fullness.
- Sewing an invisible zipper into the side seam is a crucial step in making a gathered skirt, and hems should be double-folded to add extra volume at the hemline.
- Skirt-making can be a creative outlet, a sustainable alternative to buying new clothes, a way to express personal style, and a means of supporting small businesses that sell fabric and sewing supplies.
Materials Needed for Gathering a Skirt
Get ready to start gathering your skirt with everything you need, including a sewing machine, universal needles, matching thread, and pins! Selecting the right fabric is important for any gathered skirt pattern.
Lightweight to medium-weight woven fabrics are best, as stiffer ones will give more body while softer materials drape nicely.
When measuring out the waist and length of your project, bear in mind that you can multiply the gather ratio by 1.5 or 2 for desired fullness. To ensure accuracy when joining pieces together, use interfacing on thin fabrics and press up the bottom edge of the waistband by 0.
5 inches before folding it along the center crease towards the back of the skirt.
Finally, sew an invisible zipper into the side seam, ensuring that the seam allowance is wide enough for smooth application.
Measuring and Cutting the Skirt Pieces
Measure your waist and desired length, then cut three rectangles to create a beautiful skirt that will flatter any body shape.
The first rectangle should be five inches wide and two inches longer than the waist measurement for the waistband.
The other two rectangles should be half of the waist measurement multiplied by your gathering ratio (1.5/2/3) in width, plus 1.5 inches in length for the front and back pieces of your skirt fabric selection.
Choose wovens with light to medium weight, such as stiffer fabrics that give more body or softer ones that drape nicely.
For best results, use long stitch settings on the sewing machine with universal needles matched to thread color choice. Use pins while adding an 8-inch invisible zipper at the side seam allowance 0.5 inch before finishing seams off with a serger or zig-zag stitch if using fusible interfacing.
Press lightly around edges after pressing up the bottom edge by 0.5 inch when joining the gathered top section together onto the finished waistband piece. Make sure you sew ditch stitching down through the center crease from inside out, creating a maxi skirt that looks elegant for evening wear, especially when made with a bit of shine.
Sewing the Skirt and Waistband Together
Once the fabric pieces for your skirt have been measured and cut, it’s time to sew them together with the waistband to create a beautiful gathered skirt.
Start by sewing one side seam of each rectangle using a 0.5-inch seam allowance and finish off with either a serger or zigzag stitch, depending on what type of fabric you are using.
Then gather the top edge of both rectangles until they match up in length with the waistband piece that was previously cut.
Once everything is ready, place right sides together before stitching along the top edge using 0.
Lastly, press up the bottom edge by 0.5 inch on your waistband piece before folding along the center crease towards the backside, then hand-stitch down accordingly.
With these steps done correctly, you’ll soon have an amazing gathered skirt pattern that compliments every body shape beautifully.
Tips for Sewing and Adjusting Gathers
For best results, adjust the gathers while sewing with your fingers to ensure they are even and look great. It is helpful to use a contrast thread for gathering stitches when unpicking them later on. To make sewing easier, divide wide or heavy fabric into sections. Use long stitch and low tension settings on your sewing machine to avoid squishing up the gathers.
Tacking pieces together can help you check evenness before adjusting as needed. Position gather stitching around 5mm, 12mm, and 19mm from the edge so it is easy to unpick later without affecting seam allowance.
This also helps prevent puckering of seams after joining gathered pieces together. Lower presser foot pressure when working with thicker fabrics to ensure it moves smoothly over all layers of fabric without causing issues like pushing down one side more than the other.
This can create an uneven join where the waistband meets the skirt at the side seam where an invisible zipper will be inserted using a zipper presser foot attachment (not included).
Finishing the Skirt With Hemming and Zipper
Now it’s time to give your skirt the finishing touches – hemming and zipping it up for a stylish look! Adding interfacing is optional, depending on how stiff you want the waistband. Choosing light-to-medium weight fabrics will help create beautiful draping skirts with a bit of body.
Gathering techniques, such as using three rows of long gathering stitches, can be used when sewing projects like this one.
Stiffer fabrics offer more structure, while softer materials fall nicely and are best for fuller gathers. To achieve this, multiply your desired ratio by 1.5 or 2 times the width of your waist measurement before cutting two rectangles for the front and back sides of the skirt length, plus a 1 ½ inch allowance at the top edge.
Machine stitching along the side seam with a 0.5 inch seam allowance, followed by pressing up the bottom edge, also helps add fullness where needed most.
To finish off any great piece, stitch down the folded-over waistband from the backside, followed lastly by a double-fold hem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What fabrics are best for gathering a skirt?
Woven and light-to-medium-weight fabrics are best for gathering a skirt. Stiffer fabrics give body, while softer ones drape nicely.
How do I adjust the gather ratio for the desired fullness?
To achieve the desired fullness, adjust the gathering ratio. Multiply by 5, 2, or 3 for a fuller skirt. Experiment with different ratios until you achieve your ideal look. With woven and light-medium fabrics, you can create any length that flatters all body shapes.
Is it possible to make a gathered skirt in any size or length?
Yes, it is possible to make a gathered skirt in any size or length. With the appropriate fabric and measurements, you can create your own unique look that flatters all body shapes.
How do I sew an invisible zipper in the side seam?
To sew an invisible zipper into the side seam of a gathered skirt, align the teeth with the right sides together and stitch in place using a zipper foot. Ensure secure seams with precise stitching and clean finishes for a polished look.
What type of stitch should I use to reinforce the joining seam for a heavy gathered piece?
To reinforce the joining seam for a heavy gathered piece, it is recommended to use a reinforced stitch such as a backstitch or an overcast stitch. This will provide extra strength, allowing the seam to withstand heavier fabrics with ease.
Conclusion
Making a gathered skirt is a great way to add a touch of volume and flounce to any outfit. With a few simple steps and the right materials, you can create a skirt that is tailored to your unique style.
Although it may take some practice to master the techniques of gathering, the results are well worth the effort. Once you have the basics down, you can experiment with different fabrics and prints to create a skirt that is one-of-a-kind.
With a little patience and creativity, you can make a skirt that you will love to wear.
