Hi! I am Sara from Made by Sara sharing a clothing tutorial again. My girls love skirts! I am always on the look for great skirt patterns but sometimes I only have a couple of minutes to make something.
When that happens I use this quick and easy method that I am sharing with you today. It is a simple gathered skirt with an elastic encased waistband and it takes about 10-15 minutes from cutting to hemming. It is a guaranteed success among little girls!
This skirt is super quick and easy to make. It is a perfect project for beginners! It doesn’t have a pattern, just a simple method for cutting two rectangles!
This skirt is suitable for little girls, bigger girls, teens and even grown-up women. All you need is the recipient’s waist measurement. Easy peasy.
Materials list
- Fabric of choice: lightweight cottons (quilting cotton, poplin, chambray, seersucker) or medium weight (fine wale corduroy, denim, flannel)
- 1” elastic
- Matching thread
The Most Quick & Easy Girl’s Skirt – a Tutorial
Step 1 – Let’s cut the fabric. You will need to cut two simple rectangle pieces. Here are the measurements:
Width:
You will need the skirt’s recipient waist measurement (just measure around the entire waist right above the belly button). Now just double that width (multiply by 2). Then add 1.5” (for the side seams).
For medium weight fabrics it is better to multiply by 1.5 rather than by 2. Recap:
Width = (waist measure x 2) + 1.5”
Length:
Measure from the waist down to the knee at the desire length. I usually measure right above the knee.
Add 1 1/2” for the elastic case (on the waistband). Then add another 1 1/2” for the hem. (Or instead, add your preferred hem allowance). Recap:
Length = desired length (from waist to knee) + 3”
Step 2 – Stitch the two rectangles together right sides together, at 3/8”. Repeat on the other side. Press seams open. Finish the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch or with a serger.
Step 3 – Fold the upper edge by 1/4” and press. Fold again by 1 1/4” and press. Stitch at 1/8” from the lower fold. Leave an opening of about 2 inches.
Step 4 – Cut the elastic: the amount of elastic is equal to the waist measurement minus 1”. Insert the elastic. Join the two ends and stitch them together. Close the opening.
Step 5 – Hemming. Fold by 1/2”. Press. Fold again by 1”. Press. Stitch at 1/8” from the upper fold.
Tip: Personally I like to make big hems because it allows me to add length to the skirt as time goes by and my girls grow up. If you use a narrow hem (a lot of people usually go to a 1/4” + 1/4” hem) you won’t be able to add length and you will soon have a skirt that still fits at the waist but it is already short.
You’re done!
This skirt is so quick to make that I am sure you will be making several!
They are perfect for Spring/Summer (with some shorts underneath) and also for the coming Fall/Winter weather (with some leggings). I already have a beautiful fine wale corduroy print (with little flowers) cut to make skirts for my two girls. We are fast approaching the first day of school and they need new clothes!
I think this is actually a perfect back-to-school project or even to teach older girls and teens to sew!
I will be back on Thursday with an alternative way to join the side seams for a clean finish! Until then, happy sewing!

Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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I love a good quick project! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this afternoon that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=84262
–Anne
Would these directions work for an adult skirt?
Love the easy skirt patterns. I was wondering if you’ have a easy pattern for a dress for kids. I have some fabric for the different holidays that I need fast easy to do for my granddaughter. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!!!!
Pam- I don’t have any dress patterns. Darn. I love skirts…cute and quick! Check gotopatterns.com they have quite a few and could lead you to other designers who share dress patterns. Good luck!
Totally! You will need to adjust the size of fabric you are using. If it’s for you, you can measure another favorite skirt for the length and then add what you need for the waist and seems. Hope that helps.