How To Make A Skirt – Quick Wrap Style

It’s easy to make a wrap skirt when you need something in a jiffy. This how to make a skirt — quick wrap style sewing tutorial will get you out of the house with a new skirt in no time flat; no pattern needed. All you need is a length of fabric and elastic for the waistband and you can create your own fashion design with this simple skirt pattern.

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The Video

This quick video tutorial will offer a more visual explanation.

Skirt Fabric

Select a fabric you love. That is the one most important step. This quick wrap skirt DIY tutorial works with any type of fabric — from light weight summer skirt cotton to warm winter wool, you can make this skirt with a fabric you love.

If you don’t have access to a local fabric store, you will find the list of my favorite online fabric stores invaluable.

Measuring Circumference

You will need your waist measurement and hip measurement. Since the skirt is made without a zipper and uses an elastic waistband instead, the fabric at your waist must be wide enough to go over your hips.

Once you have your hip measurement, then you need to decide how far over you want the wrap to extend. Personally, I like a longer wrap on my summer skirts since I tend to wear them without tights — and when the wind blows, I like the extra fabric protection. In the winter it’s not as crucial since I tend to wear heavy tights under my skirts. My rule of thumb — more is more.

Take your hip measurement, add the overlap measurement, and finally a seam allowance for finishing the edges. Make it easy on yourself — add two inches — one for each finishing edge and double fold over 1/2 inches on each end.

Skirt Lengths – Mini To Maxi Skirt

Next you need to decide how long you would like your skirt length. Are you looking for a mini skirt, midi skirt, or maxi skirt? Measure the fabric length from your waist to the desired length.

If you are sewing the elastic right to the raw edge at the waistline, then your total length measurements are: Skirt length, plus 1/2 inch for the waist seam allowance, plus 1 and 1/2 inches for the hem.

If you are sewing a fold down casing for the waistband and using 2 inch wide elastic, then your total measurements are: Skirt length, plus 6 inches for the waistband, plus 1 1/2 inches for the hem.

Let me throw in a curve ball here. If you want to use the salvedge as the hem, then don’t add the 1 1/2 inches to the bottom edge or your skirt will be too long!

Sewing The Side Edges

Fold over the outer raw edge with double fold and stitch.

On the inside edge you can leave it alone if it is a good salvedge finish, serge it, or also double fold and straight stitch.

Hemming

Turn up the hem and stitch. You can serge the raw edges and turn up the hem 1 1/4 inches (if you serge right at the edge) or you can fold under 1/2 inch and then again 1 inch and straight stitch in place

Baste The Overlap

Overlap the amount you measured in above and use a straight stitch to baste the overlap at the top raw edge. This will make it easier to sew the waistband or elastic to the skirt.

The Elastic

I like 2 inch wide elastic for any waistband. Buy the best quality elastic you can afford. I sew a lot and buy my elastic by the roll — one white and one black. It’s less expensive and I don’t end up throwing away small lengths.

Sewing The Elastic For Your Waistband

Fit the elastic to your waist measurement, then sinch it in an inch or two. You want the skirt to be snug but not tight. Once you are happy with the measurement, add back in 1/2 inch for overlap. Note: make sure the elastic waistband will go over your hips — you need to be able to get the skirt on and off.

Make a circle out of the elastic and overlap the edges. Use a step zigzag stitch on your machine to sew the overlapped ends together. You will now have a circle of elastic.

Elastic Waistband

Once you have your elastic circle, mark it into quarters. First fold it in half and mark each end with a pin. Second, bring the pins together and fold the elastic in half again and mark each end with another pin. You should have four pins equally spaced apart.

Repeat this pinning process with the skirt fabric.

When you match up the pins on the elastic to the pins on the skirt you will have equally divided the gathering by quarters. You can then sew pin-to-pin stretching the elastic a little as you go. Your skirt will look balanced and even.

Sew the elastic to the skirt using a stepped zigzag stitch.

Stitch in the ditch along the side seams (skirt sides) through the elastic waistband. This will help keep your elastic from twisting when you wash it.

Fabric And Elastic Waistband

If you are making a fold over waistband for your skirt, start by making the elastic for your waistband as outlined above.

The extra 6 inches you added to the top of your skirt waist mark is used to create a fold over waistband.

Press under 1/2 inch on the top edge of the skirt to the wrong side of the skirt. Next press another 2 and 1/2 inches to the wrong side. Insert the elastic circle inside the folded edge (it will be smaller than the skirt). Pin the folded edge over the elastic evenly making sure the pressed edge is straight at the top of the skirt. Sew the waistband casing with a straight stitch (the folded over piece) 1/4 inch from the edge of the first fold (2 and 1/4 inches from the top of the skirt) to form a 2 and 1/4 inch casing. Take care not to catch the elastic while sewing.

You will need to scoot the elastic along the waistband since it is smaller and will bunch.

Skirt Patterns

There are tons of great skirt patterns to follow or to inspire your next creation. You can make these little gems out of woven, stretch woven, and knit fabric. I’ve listed a few resources below for your window shopping pleasure.

Joann’s Skirt Patterns

Minerva’s Skirt Patterns

Sewing With Sandi’s Skirt Patterns

Enjoy Your New Easy Skirt Pattern

This DIY skirt pattern is easy to make. Once you have conquered a few of these, you may want to move on to a more fitted skirt pattern — or maybe not.

I love making these out of cute quilting cotton prints — I may only wear them for a season or two, but I can make several in a few hours and feel like I have a whole new wardrobe. I hope you have been inspired to fill your wardrobe with lots of quick wrap skirts with this how to make a skirt tutorial.

Happy Sewing,

SandiPS Want to learn more about skirt patterns, visit 12 Different Types Of Skirts (And Skirt Styles) You Should Sew