Make a long flared skirt {Free Size} Sewing Pattern & Tutorial

This is a sewing pattern to make a very flared long skirt with an elastic waist, which is Free Size. Make one and most anybody in your family can wear it , How is that? 

How much fabric do you need for sewing this skirt ? – this depends on how you will cut the fabric for the skirt.

If you cut fabric panels for the skirt lengthwise you will need 4.25 meters. If you cut the fabric panels crosswise you will need 3.50 meters. Cutting lengthwise is recommended because the fabric falls graceful when cut like this but then, you have to contend with the middle joint and get more fabric – it is your choice. For more details check out posts on the grain line of the fabric and how to cut fabric

Related posts :If you want to make a long skirt with much less fabric and without the gathers at the waist check out this post on sewing a full length skirt.

Or this one which is 2 skirts in one : Make a long full reversible skirt.

Long Flared skirt sewing pattern & tutorial

Step 1 Mark the pattern for the long skirt

The first pattern given below is for a skirt cut lengthwise. You will be folding your 4.25 meters into 4 layers of length 40 inches ( or more if you are taller than 5 feet 4″). This length will give a skirt which is 39 inch long

The selvedge on one side will form the middle joint.

The second pattern given below is for a skirt cut crosswise. You will be folding your 3.50 meters of fabric into 2 fabric layers of width 65 inches. Fold this two pieces again by the middle and mark the pattern as given below.

Step 2 Cut out the pattern pieces.

Since I have cut the fabric lengthwise I need to join fabric panels at the middle to form the back and front panels of the skirt.

Keep the fabric pieces  right sides together and stitch the edges together. Press the seam allowance open.

Step 3 Join the front and back skirt pieces together

Step 4 Make waistband

Cut out a fabric piece of length 45 inch and width 4 .5 inches ( To be accurate about the length measure the top edge of your finished skirt and then add 1 inch seam allowance). This is your waistband piece. 

Join the ends of this piece together to form the tube as shown below.

Step 5 Join the waistband and skirt

Keep the waistband wrong side out. Keep the skirt also wrong side out

Keep the waistband on the top edge of the skirt.Stitch with a 1/4 inch allowance.

Turn the skirt rightside out.

Bring down the waistband piece over the seam of the waist.

Fold the edge to the inside 1/4 inch and stitch in place. Leave a 2 inch portion unstitched to insert elastic.

Step 6 Insert elastic

Cut out 25 1/2 long elastic piece. ( For accuracy measure your own waist with the elastic – tug it around you a little snugly and add 1 inch to this measure) I am using two elastic pieces of 1/2 inch width. You can use single piece of 1 inch wide elastic instead of two pieces

For inserting two elastics make a stitching line by the middle of the waistband.

Insert elastic with pin. Join the ends by stitching zig zag lines.

Stitch the opening closed

If your waist is very thin, add another drawstring along with the elastic so that you can tie and secure it or reduce the length of  the elastic.

Step 7 Hem the skirt

A narrow hem is recommended here. Or you can use your rolled hemmer foot to make a rolled hem.

Related posts : Free sewing patterns ; Learn to sew with 100s of sewing tips & techniques