Simple Girl’s Skirt With Ruffle Tutorial

*Caution, affiliate links ahead…Don’t worry, I’ll use the money for something practical, like wine…. or a pony!

My little girls love it when I get the sewing bug and start making them skirts and dresses for the spring and summer. Trips to Joann’s to pick out fabric and notions is a favorite activity at our house, it really is the simple things.

This is one of my favorite skirts to make, it is simple, cute and I can whip one out in about 30 minutes. I can’t ever just make one skirt for one girl, I have to make 3 matching skirts for my 3 little musketeers, so quick and easy is a must!

Materials:

First thing you will need to do is measure your little one’s waist. The skirt I used for this tutorial was my 7 year old’s and her waist measured 21 inches.

Next measure the length that you want the skirt to be.

To get your fabric dimensions take your waist measurement and multiply it by 1.75. that will give you the width in inches. The length is the length that you measured plus 2 inches.

You will need to cut a length of fabric for the ruffle that is 3 inches x 1 1/2 times your fabric width.

First, form your casing for the elastic band. Fold over top edge 1/4 inch and press

Fold the edge over another 1 1/4 inches and press

Stitch along bottom about 1/8 inch from the edge

Next we will make the ruffle bottom 🙂

To make the hem fold over the bottom edge 1/4 inch and press. Fold over another 1/4 inch and press.

Stitch along the bottom 1/8 inch from edge.

Now it’s time to gather the bottom. I personally use a gathering foot because it is so much easier. If you don’t have a gathering foot, set your machine on the longest stitch possible. Sew a long line at the top
of the top of the ruffle piece (the raw non hemmed edge), I usually do 2 rows of stitches in case one breaks. Begin gathering by pulling the top 2 threads and moving the fabric back so it gathers together.

Take the skirt piece and lay it on a flat surface and compare it to the ruffle piece to see how wide it needs to be. When it looks like it is the right width, pin the skirt to the ruffle at the gather making sure the right sides are together. At this point you will know if it is gathered too much or too little and you can adjust accordingly. When you have finished pinning the 2 pieces, sew them together.

Last step is to thread the elastic. Measure elastic by wrapping it around your child’s waist, it should be snug but not tight. I use an elastic threader with all my elastic. This simple piece of plastic saves me so much trouble!

Such an adorable skirt and pretty simple to make!

If you want to get super cute and creative you can make a simple fabric bow with your scraps 🙂

Happy sewing!