Reversible Skirt – Tutorial

I have been thinking about making a reversible elastic waist skirt for several months as I like the idea of 2 skirts in one …. perfect for travelling or simply to wear when you think you might change your mind half way through the day!

I initially got the idea for this skirt from http://verypurpleperson.com/2009/12/easy-full-skirt-and-little-tutorial.html. I have made a few changes, along with making the skirt reversible.

I’ve put together a tutorial of how I made my skirt; however this may not be the best nor the preferred way to make the skirt -but it worked for me 🙂

1. Take 2 lengths of fabric approx 50cm wide by 115cm wide. I have chosen to use a blue fabric with white spots, and an African print with blue and green colours – it also has some spots, so I think it will complement the blue and white fabric

2. With each piece of fabric separately put right sides together and join each fabric together along the 50cm length – this is now the back seam

3. Put right side together of both fabric match the back seams, and flatten out material

4. Keep the back seams matched and with right sides together, pin together the 2 contrasting materials at the hem (bottom of fabric at 115cm edge). Sew the fabric together with a 1.5cm seam.

5. Iron fabric at hem to give a neat finish. Turn fabric to have right side facing out. Measure from the hem to the waistband (approx 47cm) and fold over the top fabric, continue around the top of the skirt.Then fold over the contrasting fabric to hide the rough edges. Pin both layers together

6. Stitch the 2 layers together close to the edge of the fabric.

8. Add 2 more rows of stitching going through both layers of fabric. First row of stitching approx 3cm from the top (if you want a bigger ruffle make this 4-5cm from the top). The next row of stitching is to hold the elastic…. mine is 2cm wide.

9. Lastly, at the back of the skirt, I unpicked a few stitches on the back seam, so i could thread the elastic through the waistband. I measured, cut, threaded and stitched the elastic before handstitching closed the small opening I made.

The finished product!!

I love this skirt – the colours work really well, and it’s nice to see the contrasting fabric on the inside of the ruffle.
If I was to make the skirt again I would leave a probably do the waistband first, thread the elastic, and then do the hem – it might be easier.

Check out my blogpost for the reversible skirt I have for sale on Etsy