Two-Seam Gathered Skirt

Measure the person from her natural waistline to her midcalf. Add 4 inches to that measurement for the waistline casing and hem.

You will need:

• Fabric twice the length of the above measurement. Good fabric choices include 45-inch-wide cotton, cotton-poly blend, muslin, or gingham.

• A length of 1-inch-wide elastic to fit snugly around the waist. Add 1 inch for overlap.

• Thread to match the fabric. 

Cut the fabric in half crosswise. 

With the right sides facing each other, sew the selvage edges together, forming a tube.

Press the seams open. 

To create the waistband, turn down the top edge ¼ inch, press, and stitch 

Turn down the top edge again 1¼ inches and sew close to the hemmed edge, leaving a 2-inch opening to insert the elastic.

Fasten a safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread the elastic through the waistband. 

Overlap the elastic 1 inch and stitch it together. Stitch the opening in the waistband closed. 

Turn up the bottom edge of the skirt ¼ inch, press, and stitch.

Turn up the bottom edge again, 2 inches, and stitch close to the hemmed edge to form the hemline. The hem can be topstitched, sewn by hand, or stitched with a blind hem if your machine has that option. 

Finished skirt