IT'S HERE!!!! DIY MAXI SKIRT TUTORIAL!

I have become OBSESSED with MAXI dresses! They are all over Pinterest right now. But for the record, my obsession with them came long before my Pinterest account :). How this skirt came about is that I had this piece of material that I'd found. It was once made to use as a sarong. I can't really explain it as anything other than a it was like like something fell from the sky, hit me on the head, and gave me a genius idea! You know, chicken little style. I ran upstairs to my closet and grabbed on of my old dress/shirt that I wore over leggings that had piece of 3 inch elastic around the waist. I picked it off the dress and sewed it to the top of my fabric. Viola! 

My brain went crazy and started dreaming up all the possibilities. I remember seeing a tutorial on Dana made it for dying elastic. So I decided to run to JoAnn's and after a fun night in my own creative space while the Husband was at priesthood, I came up with this!

You can use her wonderful tutorial on dying your own elastic 

HERE

I now have FOUR! beautiful maxi skirts that I can't wait to rock! Here is the last one I made just for you. By the fourth one I think I had all the kinks worked out. But if you have any suggestions, please feel free to add them! 

DIY MAXI SKIRT

What you will need:

Sewing machine with your basic tools

Fabric and matching thread

3 in. elastic and matching thread. One package will most likely make 2 skirts (I found mine at JoAnn's)

1. FABRIC

When choosing your fabric you have quite a few options. Make sure whatever you choose you pick something that has some weight. Not too mjuch, not too little. Cotton would be an example of too light. Also choose a fabric that is thick enough so you don't end up having to have more than one layer or wear a slip under it. Not a HUGE deal, just makes things easier.

As far as the amount of fabric you will need, take measuring tape and measure from your high waist to the floor for your length. The width of the fabric you choose will need to be anywhere from 48in to 70in. Depending on your size. Whatever your size, make sure the fabric comes on the bolt at at least the minimum width. You will want your skirt to be ONE piece of fabric.

Fold fabric wrong side out, selvage edge to selvage edge 

It will look like this

Sew a straight stitch along the selvage side to make a large tube. Make sure you sew far enough over passed the little holes in the fabric.

Cut away the raw edge leaving at least 1/4 of an inch passed your stitch.

Turn it right side out

In my dreams, I own a serger. But until then, I must make do. Serge around the tope edge of your fabric that you will be attaching to your elastic. If you don’t have a serger, you can zigzag the edge, leave it raw, or iron the waist down 1/4 of an inch and iron it down another 1/4 of an inch. It just depends on your preference. I don’t like any raw edges since it starts to fray as you wash. 

Using a measuring tape, measure around your waist where you will like your skirt to fit. Add 1/2 to one inch more. Now I'm going to send you back over to Dana at MADE because she already has a great tutorial on sewing together the elastic. The way I see it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! :) Scroll down to where she starts sewing the elastic and then follow her instructions until she started to hem the bottom of the skirt, then come back.

*SIDE NOTE*  I am NOT a "by the rules sewer". I kinda fly by the hem of my skirt :). So It was easier for me to pin the elastic from the inside and sew from the inside so I could see where I was sewing over the fabric. It is completely up to you which way you do it. 

See, pins are on inside

I also made a mark on my sewing machine as a guide to help me keep a straight line. 

ok....now

GO HERE

 WELCOME BACK! :)

As far as your hem goes, it is totally up to you. Just make sure you have a heavier hem so the skirt will lay nice and straight. 

Here is a small hem which was fine....

But as far as looks go, I ended up preferring the larger hem. 

There ya go! Your very own home sewn fashion star MAXI skirt! I LOVE these. Just pair it with your favorite T or tank top and accessories to match! Easy peasy and SUPER stylish. Sorry that you will be seeing me wear them all summer. What do ya do.... 

Here are the other 3. 

You guys, this really was an easy project. Don't let the thought of sewing hold you back! It wouldn't even be a bad starter project. Just don't let yourself get frustrated! The first time I made this skirt it took me about 4 hours to make, and now I have it down to 2, only getting faster. Now go ROCK your own! Make sure to send me pictures of the ones you make! I Can't wait to see what you all come up with!