7.25.2011

Tutorial: Gathered Skirt with Pockets

I'm back again with another tutorial. This time I have a simple summer skirt with pockets. My addiction is pockets I have to have them in everything!! I know there are millions of tutes in blogland on skirts but I decided to add my little piece to the puzzle. So let us begin!

Materials

-fabric (or vintage sheet)
-elastic (at least 1 inch wide)

Measurements
Ok you will need two measurements: the length that you want the finished skirt to be and the width that you want the finished skirt to be.

LENGTH:
For the length of your skirt piece you need to add 1 inch for the hem and 2 times the width of your elastic plus 1/2 inch to the finished length number. For example if you want your skirt to be 20 inches and you have 1 inch elastic, then take (length of skirt) + 1 + 2(width of elastic) + .5. So 20+1+2+.5=23.5 inches.

WIDTH:
You will cut two skirt panels so that you can insert your pockets into. For this measurement you will need the width that you want your finished skirt to be multiplied by 1.5 plus 2 inches or (1.5xfinished skirt width)+2. So if your finished skirt is to be 30 inches wide then you will simply do this: (1.5x30)+2=47 inches. Now take this piece and cut it down the middle creating your two skirt pieces.

Making the pocket pieces
Determine how long and deep you want the pockets to be. With those figures in mind, cut a rectangle double the width and double length of those numbers. Right sides together, fold it in half lengthwise and then in half widthwise.

Cut a pattern similar to the one shown, keepig mind that the pocket bag curves downward. Place the straight edge of your pattern on the OPEN edges of your fabric. Pin and cut out.

Sewing the skirt
Now that we got all of that mathematical mumbo-jumbo outta the way we can have some fun!

Measure how far down you want your pockets to be keeping in mind that you need to come down far enough for your elastic casing. Mark this point on the left and right sides of both skirt panels.


Right sides together place the top of your pocket in top of the line you drew and pin. (Keep in mind that the pockets point down!)


Sew all four in place using a quarter inch seam.



Next you will need to place your two skirt panels together pockets flipped out and pin.


Sew as shown, using a half inch seam on both side seams.


Fold the bottom up half an inch twice iron and hem.


We are almost done!
Fold under the top edge a quarter inch. Iron.


Then fold this edge again a quarter of an inch wider than the width of your elastic. Iron.


Stitch 1/8" on the fold you just created.


Leave a few inches open to insert elastic.


Insert elastic, overlap ends, and zigzag.


Stitch the opening closed.

Now stitch a couple of evenly spaced parallel lines in the waistband stretching as you sew.



And you're done!!




4 comments:

  1. Wonderful! I love simple skirts especially now that it is so hot here!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My DD loves pockets. She will love this skirt. Thanks for a great tut!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love this idea! Thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great job on this skirt! Thank you for linking up at Sew Woodsy last week. Hope you'll join us again tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! But then again who doesn't? Go ahead and drop me a line.