Skirting the Issue: Free Reversible Skirt Tutorial
I’ve been needing a good excuse to get some tutorials up on my blog, so when Simple Simon and Co. asked if I would be interested in joining in on a post for Skirting the Issue, I knew it would be a great opportunity! If you aren’t familiar with Skirting the Issue, you can read all the details here. The short version: We are all putting together tutorials and inspiration for you to sew up skirts, quilts, and pillowcases to donate to a charity of your choice. You can link up your donations for some goodies for yourself too, do that at the link above and don’t miss out on doing some good!
For my contribution, I put together a tutorial for a flat front, reversible skirt. I love that this skirt is two looks in one and since it is reversible, there all no exposed seams. You don’t have to worry about needing a serger or finishing seams.
Let’s Get Started.
Materials:
Fabric: Main and Accent for each side of your skirt
Fusible Interfacing (Optional)
Sewing Notions: 3/4″ No-Roll Elastic, pins, coordinating thread, safety pin or bodkin
All seam allowances are 1/2″
Select your size based on the size chart below.
| Size | 2T | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Height | 34 | 37 | 40 | 43 | 46 |
| Waist | 19.5 | 20 | 20.5 | 21 | 21.5 |
Cut Skirt Pieces based on the table below. All measurements are in inches.
| Size | 2T | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Front Waistband | Cut 2 (One for Each Side) | 2.25 X 10.75 | 2.25 X 11 | 2.25 X 11.25 | 2.25 X 11.5 | 2.25 X 11.75 |
| Back Waistband | Cut 2 (One for Each Side) | 2.25 x 14.5 | 2.25 x 15.5 | 2.25 x 16.75 | 2.25 x 17.25 | 2.25 x 19 |
| *Optional Interfacing for Front Waistband | Cut 2 (One for Each Side) | 1.25 x 9.75 | 1.25 X 10 | 1.25 X 10.25 | 1.25 X 10.5 | 1.25 X 10.75 |
| Skirt Front/Back | Cut 4 (Two for Side One, Two for Side Two) | 8 X 30 | 10 X 33 | 11.5 X 35 | 13.25 X 37 | 13.75 X 40 |
| Skirt Band | Cut 4 (Two for Side One, Two for Side Two) | 3 X 30 | 3 X 33 | 3 X 35 | 3 X 37 | 3 X 40 |
| Elastic Length | Cut 1 | 7.75 | 8 | 8.25 | 8.5 | 8.75 |
1.After cutting you should have a similar looking set of pieces.
2. Take one set of waistbands and memory press the bottom edge up 1/2″. Fuse interfacing to center of both front waistband pieces.
3. Lay front waistbands and back waistbands right sides together. Sew along top long edge.
Press seams open.
4. Lay Front and Back waistbands right sides together with seams open. Be sure to open up the memory press along bottom edge when sewing. Sew short sides together. Press seams open. Set waistband aside.
5. Lay a hem band from side one and side two right sides together. Sew along long edge. Repeat for second set of hem bands. Press seams open.
6. With right sides together and matching fabrics, sew short sides together. Press seams open.
7. Fold waistbands up wrong sides together and press. Set aside.
8. Lay skirt fronts and backs right sides together. Sew along short sides. Press seams open.
9. Lay one skirt right side out. Match band raw edge to bottom of skirt raw edge.
10. Lay second skirt piece over skirt and band right sides together. This is sandwiching the hem band between both skirts.
11. Pin around skirt bottom matching side seam on skirt and hem band. Sew. Pull band out of skirt pieces. Press the skirt up so that wrong sides are together. For best results press from both sides.
12. Sew rows of gathering stitches along the top raw edge of skirt through both skirt layers with 1/4″ and 3/4″ seam allowances. Gather skirt to fit waistband.
13. Match waistband to skirt, right sides together. Align side seams of skirt and waistbands. Pin and sew.
14. Press waistband up.
15. Turn skirt to second side.
16. Fold waistband down to seam line. Edge stitch the back waistband ONLY.
17. Insert elastic through back waistband casing using a safety pin or bodkin. Stitch in the ditch to secure elastic at side seams.
18. Edge stitch front waistband to skirt to close casing. Remove bottom gathering stitch. Give skirt a final press, you are finished!!
I can’t wait to see all the skirts you make with this tutorial. Be sure to share your creations on my Facebook page and Instagram so I can see what you have made.
