How to Sew an Asymmetrical Ruffle Skirt

Don’t let a long cold winter cramp your style! It’s time to work on your breezy summer wardrobe, and this skirt is your ticket to an easygoing summer attitude.

Supplies

• 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 yards knit fabric for the outer skirt
• 5/8 yard knit fabric for the inner skirt
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Pins and/or binder clips
• Curved 5uler
• Ballpoint needles
• Measuring tape
• Standard Presser Foot (BERNINA Reverse Pattern Foot #1)

Step 1) Take your measurements.

Using the measuring tape, measure around your waist and hips. Record the numbers.

Then measure from your waist to your knee and record the number.

We will call this WTK.

Take your hip measurement and divide that number by 2.

Add 1” to that number.

We will call this HIP.

For example, my hips are 41”. Divided by 2 = 20.5. Plus 1 = 21.5”.

Take your waist measurement and divide that number by 2.

Add 1”. (Exactly as we did for the hips).

We will call this WAIST.

Step 2) Cut your fabric.

When cutting the fabric, make sure the stretch of the knit is from selvage to selvage for your width.

For the inner skirt panels cut two HIP width x WTK length rectangles.

For the outer skirt panels cut two 40”-wide x WTK length rectangles.

For the waistband cut two WAIST wide by 6” long strips.

Step 3) Construct the inner and outer skirts.

Place your two inner skirt panels right sides together; sew along the sides using a 1/2″-wide seam allowance. You may sew this using a regular straight stitch on your sewing machine or an overlock stitch on your overlocker/serger. Hem the lower edge of your inner skirt if desired.

Place one of your outer skirt panels on a flat surface. Using a curved ruler and fabric marker, mark an arced shape along one long edge of the fabric, between the center and the side seam, on one side only.

Fold the bottom edge of the curve 1/2″ towards the wrong side; pin. Topstitch to hem the edge.

Hem the lower straight edge of the skirt panel as well.

Hem the lower edge of the other outer skirt panel to match the lower edge of your first panel in length.

Place the two outer skirt panels right sides together; pin. Sew the side seams with a 1/2″-wide seam allowance. Once again, use either a sewing machine straight stitch or a serger overlock. Finish seam edges as desired.

Step 4) Sew the skirt panels to the waistband.

Sew a gathering stitch (a long straight stitch) along the top edge of your outer skirt.

Gather the outer skirt until it is the same width as your inner skirt.

Slip the outer skirt (right side out) over the inner skirt (also right side out).

Line up the edges and side seams; pin or clip.

Sew the layers together using a straight stitch 1/8” away from the top edge.

Place the two waistband strips right sides together; sew the side seams.

Slip the waistband over the top edge of the skirt, right sides together, matching up raw edges and side seams. Pin along the side seams, and the center front and back.

Sew using a zigzag stitch or a long straight stitch, stretching the waistband to match the skirt’s upper edge as you sew.

Fold the top edge of the waistband towards the wrong side 1/2″ and press.

Fold the waistband over again, fully enclosing the skirt’s ruffled edge waist seam, and pin in place.

Sew using a zigzag stitch or a long straight stitch, making sure you stretch the waistband as you are sewing through the machine.

Step 5) “Bubble” the skirt (optional).

This step is optional, but I think it makes for a nicer-looking skirt finish.

Working along the front curve of your outer skirt, fold under the lower edge in random places and pin it to the underskirt, creating a “bubble” skirt look at the front. Do this on the cut-out area only, from the center front to the side seam. Using a hand-sewing needle and thread, tack the fabric in place with a few stitches back and forth.

And you are finished! A super comfy, cute skirt to wear this summer! Pair with a tank and enjoy.