selvedges are parallel. Only then will you have it truly on the grain.) Use a rotary cutting mat and ruler for best results.
FOR WAISTBAND: Cut 1 strip of desired width. (in cherry skirt, 5") Now open strip up and cut the length about 12" longer than waist size. My daughter’s waist is about 20",
so I cut the length to 32".
FOR MAIN SKIRT: Cut 2 strips of desired width (in cherry skirt, 13.5"). FOR CONTRAST FABRIC: Cut 2 strips of each contrast fabric you use (in cherry skirt, 2.5" and the bottom fabric is 4.25" to account for hem).
Remember that all seams are 1/4" (usually the distance between the needle and edge of presser foot). If you feel more comfortable sewing a wider seam than that, be sure to allow for extra width when cutting, or your skirt will be much shorter than expected.
Okay, are you ready to sew???
TUTOrial reach the end. Now clip the thread, turn it over, go back to the side seam, and stitch the other direction to the other end so that the two strips are now sewn together into one big strip and the side seams line up exactly.
1) Take the 2 strips of each fabric, face right sides together lining up the selvedge edge, and stitch ONE side together to create a single, very long strip of each fabric. You may want to cut off the selvedge edge before sewing if it is really wide so it doesn’t show on the right side. Notice that I’m using a serger (I LOVE that machine!) but you can also treat your edges after straight stitching on a regular machine by zigzag stitching over raw seam or using pinking shears on raw seam (but don’t cut too close to stitching!).
5) For the waistband, join the two short ends together and stitch (right sides together) so it forms a loop. The side seam will look like this (it would have looked better if I had ironed the fabric before cutting!) Do a thorough job ironing all the seams at this point, first on the back side and then on right side to make sure seams are pressed open all the way. Press seams all in one direction. The loose ends of the strip will be uneven, like this.
Press. Turn inside out. On one edge of loop, press under 1/4" all the way around edge.
6) Now, on the edge you just pressed under 1/4", fold over an additional 1"+a little bit, so that a piece of 1" elastic can easily slip through but not wide enough that the elastic will easily get twisted during wear. Press this measurement all around edge, checking for accuracy from time to time.
2) Now, take contrast fabric and line up the seam with the seam on main fabric (right sides together!). To ensure that the side seams line up exactly (because the lengths of the various fabric strips will all vary slightly), start stitching strips together where the side seam is instead of at one end (this eliminates the need for pinning as well). Stitch, making sure edges are flush, until you
3) Cut off uneven selvedges from both loose ends of strip. 4) Now, with right sides facing eachother, sew the ends of the strip together so that you now have a giant loop of fabric. Press the sideseam you have just sewn. www.mespetitesmainsmagazine.net
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