Although these days most of the clothing projects I do involve my sewing machine, it would be wrong to think that you must have a sewing machine in order to make beautiful pieces that you can be proud of. That’s why today I am going to show you how to make a super simple skirt by hand. Many of you will know how to make this simple shape already, but for those of you who are starting out and don’t yet have a sewing machine – I’m going back to basics for you. In the world of DIY my motto is always: leave no man (or woman) behind!
You need:
– 1.5 metres (1.6 yards) of brocade fabric. When a garment is constructed as simply as this one the quality of the fabric is key to the finished product, so find some fabric with a gorgeous texture and pattern, and preferably with some gold or silver in it.
– Scissors
– A length of elastic that fits around your waist
– A needle and matching thread (I used black)
– A chopstick or knitting needle
– An iron
How to:
1. The width of the piece of fabric will effectively be the length of the finished skirt, so cut the width to suit your taste in terms of where the hem will sit. I chose to go for about 5 inches above the knee, and left a few inches either side for the hem and the waistband. Once you have cut the fabric to size, fold the bottom of the fabric over twice so no raw edges are showing, and then iron down.
2. Using a simple running stitch, sew the hem down. I like to do a long stitch at the back and a small one at the front so you can’t see the stitches in the finished product. One way to make your hand stitched hems stronger is to pull the needle through the fabric and then double it back on itself for a stitch that is less likely to catch or move around.
3. My fabric had the industrial hem on one side so I used that to creat my waistband, which I did by folding the fabric, making sure to leave enough space for the width of my elastic, and sewing a straight line along the edge. If your fabric doesn’t have the industrial hem, simply fold this side over in the same way you did the bottom hem.
4. Once both hem and waistband have been sewn, fold your fabric in half with the wrong side of the fabric facing up.
5. Using your needle and thread, sew the two pieces of fabric together from one hem to the other, about an inch in from the edge, making sure not to sew the holes for the waistband shut.
6. Turn the fabric inside out. You will now have a tube of fabric.
7. Tape the elastic to one end of the chop stick or knitting needle.
8. Holding the free end of the elastic, push the knitting needle into the cavity of the waistband.
9. Push the chopstick all the way through, making sure you don’t lose the elastic on the way!
10. Sew the elastic shut.
11. Fold the edges of the waistband hole over and carefully sew them shut.
And Voila! I like the look of the paperbag waist but you can also belt it with a thick belt to create more of a streamlined aesthetic. Brocade skirts are perfect as we head into winter as they look chic paired with opaque tights and ankle boots.
Are you interested in learning more about hand and machine sewing? I dedicated a whole section to it in my new book, so it’s perfect for people who want to learn key skills that will help them create projects to be proud of.
I love this, im so excited to try it. Love your DIY
You always have such inspiring DIYs! Would you recommend using this method for any other types of fabrics? Since it’s heading into summer over here in Sydney 😀
x k
http://www.thechicndamned.blogspot.com
I have just started learning how to sew- will add this to my projects list as it looks so do-able!
P.S Have ordered your book and I cannot wait until it arrives eeeee!!!
It is so nice to go back to the basics from time to time when doing DIY projects. Very lovely skirt!
http://prudenceandaustere.blogspot.com
fabulous! You are so right I always forget I can do something easy with elastic like you did. Great reminder and stunning skirt!
Love how the skirt is a floral print, it looks great! Awesome DIY
http://www.raisingtheclouds.blogspot.com
the fabric is beautiful!
http://www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
it´s a gorgeous skirt, I´m definetely gonna buy your book dear…
kisses
http://www.petitgraphie.blogspot.com
I like thiss diy! it a nice skirt :)!
That fabric is gorgeous!!! Totally inspiring me to make myself some new things – the problem with sewing for a living is that I rarely sew for myself – which is ridiculous as you have just demonstrated how easy it is!!
http://www.spokesndaggers.blogspot.com
omg it’s so cute 😀
This is gorgeous x
x
http://www.shades-of-style.com
very cute idea! the color suits you perfectly!
is your book available at amazon??
http://www.violetfleur.com
cute fabric! this really is such an easy way to sew a skirt – i have several of them at home 🙂
Love it!!
http://www.bonnieclydemarni.blogspot.com/
love it!!
http://thestelstyle.com/
Love this!!!!
That fabric is so luxurious looking and super on trend with all the baroque popping up everywhere lately. Great post and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of your book! Congratulations again!
oh wow sp pretty <3
http://www.alwayslikeafeather.de
I love this, and I will definitely be trying this in the future! Thank you for this wonderful DIY!
Love the brocade print! Will definitely have to hunt down some similar fabric!
Omg this is gorgeous! Love the hand sewing, I do own a sewing machine but lack of space means I am much more likely to hand sew things! Thanks for sharing 🙂
where can I buy the book in Spain???
http://sharbatlumiere.blogspot.com.es/
That’s so pretty! I really love the fabric as well!
Me encanta!!
Visita mi blog
http://www.violetajanji.blogspot.com
http://www.violetajanji.blogspot.com
LUCKILY I HAVE A SEWING MACHINE, NOTHING ANNOYS ME MORE THAN HAND SEWING THOSE LONG LONG WAYS:)) THE FABRIC IS VERY GOOD BTW!!!
PERSONAL STYLE | STYLING TIPS | SHOPPING | FASHION NEWS | DIY | RUSSIAN AND HUNGARIAN FASHION SCENE :
http://www.diamondsandspikes.com/
http://facebook.com/diamondsandspikes
such an amazing idea!
from helen at http://www.thelovecatsinc.com // @thelovecatsinc
ps. enter my giveaway to win 30 beauty products inc. essie and more! it’s worldwide too!
Lovely skirt! I can’t wait to try this 🙂
p.s. Will your book be available on Kindle anytime soon?
I don’t think so at this point because it is a coffee table style book with lots and lots of images.
x
Finally a tutorial I can try! I love reading your blog but I can’t sew for my life so a lot of your projects use a machine which I’m horrible at. This looks like something I can pull off. Looks like I need to get my hands on your book!
Cute skirt!
Such a simple silhouette, but it looks so effortlessly chic. I love it!
annalikesclothes.blogspot.com
xo
This is gorgeous! And looks simple enough that I could do it. Which makes me like it even more.
Love this, thankyou for the tutorial! <3 xo
http://styleitwithme.blogspot.co.uk/
this is so nice. i love your diy’s xx
where do you get your material from ?
Beautiful!
So beautiful!
kisses
MY WHITE IDEA
Great DIY! Cool & stylish skirt!
From http://www.xeanafashion.com
you are so talented <3
This is such a cute skirt – I love brocade at the moment!
http://www.fashionablepeople.co.uk
such a cute skirt
herpersona.blogspot.com/
herpersona.blogspot.com/
Omg this is so funny. DiY for 6 grader sorry .it it pathetic 🙁
Oksana
I agree Oksana that this is a DIY for those who are just starting out, but I guess that’s the point. Some people aren’t lucky enough to have a high level of skill or expensive machines so it’s nice to give people a project that they can actually try rather than them having to sit on the sidelines. I think it’s great to provide a mix for people, so although this particular project might not be for you, I’m sure you’ll find something here in the next few weeks which is more suited to your skill level.
Excellent response, Geneva. I may not be in 6th grade anymore, but my sewing and crafting skills are 🙂 I so appreciate your “leave no man/woman behind” philosophy! It’s one of the many things that keep me coming back.
Sarah
http://sanfranista.wordpress.com
Oksana, I have a PhD, but this is about my level as far as DIY goes. 🙂
Thanks for including everyone, Geneva. Love your blog!
Geneva you just proved again how great you are as DIY guru and person. It was so obvious that this DIY was intended for beginners . I personally love your blog and the idea of it that everyone can find something useful for one’s set of skills, it is intended for all readers. That is why it is so great and successful! I am surprised Oksana did not realize that….
http://www.impromp-two.blogspot.com
Olga
I’m going to try this, I love it
ww.Thatsjusttutu.blogspot.com
That fabric is stunning!
x
Nice skirt!
http://initialed.blogspot.com
Gorgeous skirt Geneva! xx
This is beautiful. I love how it gathers. It has such a flirty shape to it!
You are so generous for this lesson!Now I really wanna try!!!
The skirt looks amazing!!!
love,
M.
love your blog,I will follow!hope you do too!
I love this SKIRT!
Jess
http://seventhirtyninety.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for this wonderful post!! I love all your DIY projects!!!! 🙂
Gem
http://gemnikkaonthego.blogspot.com
This is so cute! Great DIY tutorial 🙂
http://www.ohsewfashion.com
cool.:}
What pretty fabric!!
This fabric is so pretty. I just get to know your blog and I already love it! Congratulations on your book!
Lovely skirt, perfect diy!
😉
Congratulations, very nice DIY 🙂
Melo
http://theyellowbalconey.com
This is amazing! 😀
This one is really pretty!! Thank you for the inspiration:) do you think it would look good to do this kind of skirt in linen?
Yes definitely!
[…] DIY HANDSEWN BROCADE MINI SKIRT […]
Thank you soo much for the DIY. I have a fashion show (high school thing) outfit due like in 2 weeks and I didn’t even start. This tutorial surely got me started!!
doin it right know!!!
More hand-sew items, please! Love this skirt!
Love it. Beautiful.
Very very nice and cute…So BeauTiful..!!!!!loveee 1t
[…] DIY HANDSEWN BROCADE MINI SKIRT […]
[…] source […]
Been lurking your site so hard. Loving the simplicity of everything.
I’m an expat in mainland China. Where do you buy most of your fabrics? Street markets? Taobao? Looking forward to hearing back!
Thank you, I have been looking all over the internet for a skirt tutorial that doesn’t require a sewing machine! Will try it soon…
So cute ! Love this 🙂
This is so cute! I can’t wait to try this! 🙂
do you have any ideas for getting grand children 4-5 y/o into sewing as creating their own?
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