Little Girl’s Tiered Skirt
Written by admin on March 18th, 2008Heather, I hope this helps you somewhat. 
I am not the most talented seamstress nor am I the most eloquent narrator. Anyway…
The first thing I do is get my fabric together and decide if I want 3 tiers or 4. If I have a lot of scraps and the fabrics match well and will hang well together, then 4. If I have just one kind of fabric, I usually do 3 tiers.
I measure how long I want the skirt to be on my daughter. In this case about 25 inches. In this case I was also working with one kind of fabric so I will do 3 tiers. I want each finished tier to be, then, roughly 8 inches in height. The bottom one will be a bit longer at about 9 inches. Do you read all these “abouts?” I am not exact and like to just wing anything.
Start with the first tier. It’s the crucial one as far as measuring. It must be bigger than the hips at least an inch or 2 or more, depending on the fabric and how loose a fit you want. I went about 2-1/2 inches larger in measurement than her hips on this one.
I allow about 1/2 inch for each side seam. Allow about 1-1/4 inches at the top for a casing for elastic. I also allow about 1/2 inch for the seams between each of the tiers. As mentioned above, I do put a seam in each side of the skirt, so each tier is two pieces of fabric. You could have just one seam, if you wanted.
Make the next tier in the same fashion, allowing — again — 1/2 inch seam allowance at the top and bottom and on each side, and then increase the size of the tier by 2 or 3 inches over the first tier.
Sew the side seam(s) on the tier and then do a wide basting stitch around the top of the tier so that you can gather the top.
Here’s my second tier, gathered at the top and ready to be turned and attached to the first tier.
You want the top of the second tier to fit the bottom of the first tier. Then, have the first tier right-side-out, turn the second tier inside-out (they’ll be right sides together), and place the edges even where you will sew the two tiers together. Pin and sew. I double-stitch to help prevent raveling.
Here’s a picture…
Of course the next step is to make the third tier, exactly like you did the second one, again increasing by 2 or 3 inches in circumference and allowing for seams. You will gather it at the top, turn it, pin it into place on the second tier and sew it into place. If you have two side seams, remember to line the seams up!
As far as a hem allowance, it totally depends on the fabric and what you want to do in addition to hemming. I usually do a very tiny hem on the sewing maching, but with this beautiful fabric, which I’m sure was a curtain panel, there was already a large, beautifully sewn hem which I incorporated right into the last tier. I wouldn’t dream of not using it!
I also wanted to add a ribbon trim around the bottom of the skirt and the large hem made this easier to accomplish.
The last thing to do is make a casing for the elastic, leaving an opening to put your elastic in. I let my daughter thread the elastic — attached to a safety pin — through the casing.
Then I sewed together the two ends of elastic and let them go back into the casing and then finished closing the casing.
The skirt is SO cute! She loves it. I promise I’ll post a picture when she wears it. For now, it’s hanging around, ready to be donned and twirled around in!
I will try to get a picture in natural sunlight, as the flash does just not do the ribbon and fabric justice. They look great together.
Hope that helps,
Lynn
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for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
19
AM
you and i must be thinking alike at the moment ..i am sewing as well ..love the skirt
19
AM
Sonia, thank you! I can’t wait to see what you’ve sewn!
Lynn
19
PM
Thank you so much Lynn! I can’t wait to try this with my dd!!!
I hardly ever sew, but I have a seemingly nice machine- a Bernette (the Japanese made Bernina). I’ve made curtains and things over the years but haven’t made an article of clothing in like 15 to 20 years- like high school or college time.
So, I will let you know how this adventure goes! I’d love to sew more often. : )
Heather W
20
AM
Heather, you’re welcome.
Since working outside of my home, I haven’t sewn like I’d like to either, but I’m hoping to do more. I used to regularly make tiered skirts for myself, but I got away from it. Now I can make them for me and Miss Priss.
Lynn
20
PM
I’m not a sewer but would like to learn sometime very soon.
Just by looking at the photos, it seemed that you were able to make that skirt in no time at all. So, now I’m curious. How long did it take to make that skirt? It’s gorgeous by the way!
21
AM
Thanks, Tanya!
It really didn’t take long at all. I’d say about an hour. They’re fun to make. To me the most tedious part is gathering the tops of each lower tier and lining it up with the tier above it, but even that is not so bad.
Lynn
26
AM
Thanks so much for giving the directions and the pictures! It looks so cute! Great job!
26
AM
Thanks, Kahri! It really was a fun project and I have many more skirts planned.
Lynn
5
AM
well, you described it perfectly. I have three young girls who LOVE tiered skirts, I have fabric, and will definitely try this. My youngest will be THRILLED - she doesn’t have a skirt like this, and I didn’t want to pay $25 for one!
thank you so much
5
PM
Liesl, I’m glad you feel inspired by the post. I hope the directions will be a help. We have certainly enjoyed the skirts we’ve made. It’s hard to go wrong with them.
Lynn
PS — I love your name.