How to make a bias cut skirt with wide stretch waistband

This tutorial will show how to make a bias cut a-line style skirt, with a wide stretch waistband, using fabric and a recycled t-shirt. This is how I make all my skirts. They look good, feel really comfortable, and are also really great for pregnancy, breast feeding and general monthly body changes as the stretch waistband is very accommodating and the bias cut molds really well around curves. The a-line shape is flattering to most body types and suitable for all sizes.

To make this skirt you will need:

3 metres of fabric with a width of 150cm (for the average ankle length skirt, less will be required required for a shorter skirt) - I have had my best results from satin, silks, and cotton voiles*;
1 fitted womens t-shirt (must be the cotton/lycra or cotton/spandex stretchy kind);
a sewing machine or overlocker and appropriate that you know how to use the basics on, or a needle and the time and patience to hand sew;
thread;
pins.

Difficulty level - Easy.
This tutorial requires no prior knowledge except familiarity with the basics of your sewing machine/overlocker or preferred sewing technique.

*If using cotton remember to wash the fabric first to avoid shrinkage after the garment is made.

Step 1 Bias cut - what and why

Bias cut means to cut the fabric in a way that when the garment is finished the grain hangs diagonal, rather than straight up and down. Because you are cutting diagonally across the fabric it uses quite a bit more material than if you were to cut straight along the grain, but the effect is that the garment that sits much better on curves, flowing around them rather than hanging straight over them, and also allows a slight bit of stretch or give where needed from otherwise non-stretch fabrics.

In order to really emphasize the bias cut in this demonstration I have chosen to use a fabric with a length ways stripe pattern. As you can see in the finished garment the stripes end up on the diagonal when cut in bias.

Comments

[Aneesah]

Thanks so much for the tutorial! I'm not used to sewing garments, so simple pieces are great. This is how my skirt turned out.

[Candiij]

Thank you for this instructable. I have already made my first skirt from it and it was so easy! I will for sure be making more.

[kwilkinson4]

its the worst

[shamael002]

why did you say " its the worst" how did your's turn out

[kathchown]

AWESOME! Exactly what I was searching for! I've got to make some skirts as Christmas Presents and this is the perfect pattern :) Thanks so much!

[idressyou]

Ingenious!  Love the waistband idea... waistbands are my pet peeve, normally, and this will totally make it not suck!  Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!  Will be making on one as soon as I can find some good, slinky linen:)  YOU ROCK!!

[AnaLou]

I thought this was great Instructable. I professionally sew and thought you really explained things well for a beginner. I thought your use of graphics on top of pictures was great.

[BennyEtienne]

This is a really great tutorial. I've been trying to learn how to cut on the bias for a while. This is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[veronica hurly]

I have saved this tutorial- what a simple way to make the skirt!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!!!

[TalyQ]

I think this would make a wonderful pregnancy skirt or at least for the early pregnancy and post-partum

[nzomataa]

Hey this is great. I have so much interest in making my own stuff. I appreciate these instructions, very clear and easy to follow. Makes tailoring interesting. Good job, instructables!!

[clamoring]

Nice pics, clear instructions, good amount of info. Great instructable!

[digrat]

Is there a rule of thumb as to how wide the bottom of the skirt should be in proportion to the top?

[sajbrfem]

It really depends on the fabric you are using and the effect that you want, the greater the difference between the top and the bottom the fuller and waifier the skirt looks, and if you have less of a difference the skirt ends up looking more like a straight skirt with a bit of a fish tail flair at the bottom. If you wanted to you could go all the way out to the edge of the fabric for a really full skirt.

[linbobobkins]

Wonderful tutorial, great pictures! Looks easy and quick. I'm going to make one of these this weekend. Thanks

[sajbrfem]

Thanks very much - it is my first tutorial so I am glad you like it :) I'd love to see your results.

[canida]

That looks great, and easy! It's on my "to do" list. Of course, I'm now coveting your serger. ;)

[sajbrfem]

Thanks, it really is easy, I can make one of these in about half an hour now that I have had a bit of practice - and the serger does make it really quick and easy :)

[uguy]

Oh, I envy you women who can sew well. I wish I had learned. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

[sajbrfem]

Thanks, you're welcome :) No need for envy, I bet there is an instructable on how to use a sewing machine on here somewhere, never too late to learn :)

[GorillazMiko]

Great job! What program did you use to put the words in the picture, that's great!

[sajbrfem]

Thanks! I used phtoshop to put the words in.

[berserk]

On you, does your skirt sit at your waist or below?

[sajbrfem]

It is a little hard to tell in that pic because I have a black top on as well and it sort of blends in, but the top of the stretch band is at my natural waist (which on me is quite high - just above my top finger tip in that pic) and the top of the stripy skirt part is on my hips. Depending on how I feel on the day I wear them either as it is in the pic (probably my preferred) or higher with the skirt part sitting at my waist and the band rolled over, or low on my hips with the band rolled over, all three work comfortably.