So Sew Easy
Gathered Summer Skirt
Summer is here at last. For some of us it lasts longer than others, but whether
it’s a trip to the beach, a picnic, shopping with the girls or a day sailing, you’ll
still need to look cute and summery.
The design for this skirt was copied from a Ready To Wear skirt I already
owned and loved. I think it has the perfect ratio of gathers to length and with
the elastic waist, is comfy and casual.
I think you’ll love it too and it will become your go-to skirt for summer.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
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Skill level – Beginner
Directions
Experience in gathering would be useful. There’s lots of gathering to do in
Seam allowances are 1/2 inch (1.25cm) throughout unless stated
this pattern! Follow the link through to see the tutorial on how to gather
otherwise.
with dental floss to make this project easier.
Seams and finishing – light weight fabrics are more delicate, may fray
more and often benefit from a more robust seam finish. Trim and neaten
Read through all of these instructions before starting
your project and cutting your fabric.
seams as you sew, overcasting or serging to prevent fraying. You may join
pieces together with a French Seam where possible for the neatest finish.
Useful tutorials
This sewing tutorial is also available in video format.
You can find a range of useful sewing tutorials and videos at So Sew Easy –
You can watch at YouTube –click this video picture to be taken to the
tutorials page.
tutorial. Once the video starts, you can get a clearer picture by clicking on
the little ‘gear’ icon to select a higher video quality.
Materials needed

Fabric – see recommendations below

Matching thread

1 inch wide elastic for the waist
Watch the video tutorial on YouTube at
http://youtu.be/zC4GpDNp5H0
Fabric requirements
Thin, lightweight fabrics with a soft hand and drape. Suggested, silks,
cotton voile, cotton lawn, charmeuse, viscose, and similar. May also work in
a light weight knit fabric.
Fabric Size – all sizes covered here should fit on 1.5 yards of 52 inch wide
fabric. Larger sizes, a longer length skirt or narrower fabric might need
more fabric length.
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Let’s start to sew !
4. Check the width of your fabric and set out on the reverse the strips you
will need. You can piece together strips across several rows as
1. Pre-wash and iron your fabric according to fabric care instructions.
necessary. There is no need to make all the strips even length as the
2. The finished length on the standard skirt is approx. 21 inches. If you
joins will be hidden by the gathers. Choose the design on your fabric
accordingly – small patterns may hide joins best.
want the skirt longer, add the extra length evenly over the 3 tiers to
keep the proportions even.
Here is an example of the layout I used on my fabric for a 42 inch hip size.
3. Check the following table of sizes and note the length of fabric you
need for your size.
Hips (inches)
Top tier 7.25 Inches
deep
Middle Tier 6.5
inches deep
Bottom Tier 8
inches deep
34
42
62
100
36
45
65
106
38
47
69
112
40
50
72
118
42
52
76
124
44
54
80
130
46
57
83
136
48
59
87
142
50
62
90
148
52
64
94
154
Example: For a hip size of 42 inches, you will need to cut a strip of fabric
7.25 inches deep by 52 inches long. Plus – sufficient strips of fabric 6.5
inches wide to make a continuous length of 76 inches. Plus – sufficient
strips of fabric 8 inches wide to make a continuous length of 124 inches.
Small differences for seam allowances when joining pieces can be ignored.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
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5. Once all your strips are cut, join strips together at the short ends until
17. Wear your finished skirt, love it and make another!
you reach the continuous length you need for each tier.
6. Mark your top tier and the middle tier in half with a mark or a pin. Run
gathering stitches or use the magic dental floss gathering method, to
gather up the top of the second tier until it matches the length of the
top tier. Match up your half way marks and distribute the gathers
evenly.
7. Join the two tiers, sewing with the gathers on top. Neaten and finish
the seam.
8. Mark quarter marks along the top of the 3rd tier and along the bottom
of the second tier.
9. Gather up the third tier until it matches the second tier. Pin in place,
matching quarter marks and distribute gathers evenly.
10. Join the two tiers, sewing with the gathers on top. Neaten and finish
the seam.
Thank you for downloading this Gathered Summer Skirt pattern and
11. Join the two ends of the skirt together to make a circle, matching
tutorial. I hope you enjoyed making this project and remember that I love
seams. Using a French seam works well here.
to share your creations at So Sew Easy so drop me an email with a photo at
12. Turn over 1/4 inch at the waist seam and press. Check the width of
[email protected]
your elastic and turn over the waist seam enough to accommodate the
width of the elastic plus just a little bit more to give you room to sew.
or upload your completed projects to the pattern page on Craftsy.
13. Sew along the pressed edge of the waist, leaving a 2 inch gap open at
center back.
14. Thread through your waist elastic, taking care not to twist it. Try on the
skirt and adjust the elastic to fit. Join the elastic and snip off any excess.
Close the gap in the casing.
15. Try on the skirt and check the length. Mark or pin at the correct level.
16. Turn up a narrow hem, press and then turn and press again. Stitch the
hem in place and press the skirt.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
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You might enjoy my other tutorials and sewing patterns at So Sew Easy,
including:
For the latest list of patterns available, pop on over to my designer page at
Wrap Dress
Sew A Skirt beginner tutorial series
Twist Front Top
Double Layer Chiffon/Lace Blouse
Easy Summer Dress
30 Minutes Easy Skirt
Summer Drape Top
Cheeky Panties
Custom Fit Skirt
Custom fit leggings
Boxy Bag
Little Black Party Dress
Easy Cosmetics Bag
On a Roll T-shirt
Super Simple Wallet
Slouchy Sweater
Classic Straight leg knit pants
Gathered front top
Make it Yours Clutch Bag
Waterfall top
Reversible Apron
Carry All Bag
Cowl Neck Top
Wear Everywhere Dress
Sew Simple Leggings
Easy Breezy Blouse
Craftsy.
This pattern graphic, the photos and the instructions are copy right
Deby Coles at So Sew Easy. Please do not copy, publish, sell,
redistribute or alter them in any way. Please don’t print and give to
your friends, or send it to anyone by email. Please do not rebrand this
work as your own and sell or give it away, even if altered. This is
intended for your personal use. If you would like to recommend these
instructions, please pass on the original download link at So Sew Easy.
Thank you for your understanding.
Usage – you ARE allowed to use this pattern to make things to sell on
a small handmade basis, such as for craft fairs and for your Etsy shop.
However it may not be used for larger scale commercial purposes
without a commercial licence.
Find more great sewing patterns at So Sew Easy – http://so-sew-easy.com
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