Essentials• Jersey fabric, 1m x 1.5m• Elastic, 3cm x waist measurement• Coordinating thread

DimensionsCustom sized

Use a 5cm seam allowances throughout, unless otherwise stated.

stitch a skirt1 Take your high hip measurement which is

the position 5cm down from your waist. Cut a strip of fabric to this measurement, 16cm wide. This will form the yoke. Cut another piece of fabric that is the full width of the fabric and the length you would like the skirt to be, less 9cm.

2 Mark the halfway point along one of the long edges of the yoke, which will

become the right side of the skirt. Halve the areas between the first mark; these become the centre front and centre back of the skirt. Repeat the process on one of the long edges of the skirt piece.

3 Pleat up the skirt onto the yoke. The width of the pleats will depend on the

width of the yoke. There needs to be a box pleat at the centre front and back of the skirt, and two pleats either side of these. Take time to achieve even pleats. Stitch in place.

4 With right sides together, fold the skirt in half through the right-hand side,

matching the yoke edges together. Pin and stitch together the remainder of the skirt. Turn to the right side.

5 Measure around your waist and cut a length of elastic to this measurement. Lap

the ends over each other, and stitch to secure. Place the round of elastic inside the top of the yoke. The elastic will be smaller so will require stretching as it is stitched in place. It’s a good idea to mark the centre back and front, and the right-hand side on the top of the yoke. Repeat on the elastic, making the join in the elastic the centre back point. Pin these to the marks on the top of the yoke to ensure an even stretch around the waistline.

6 Position the elastic slightly away from the top of the yoke, so that the yoke will be

trimmed by the overlocking stitch, but not the elastic attaching the two together. Turn the elastic over inside the top of the yoke and secure at the centre back and the sides with small hand stitches.

7 Overlock or zig zag stitch the base of the skirt. Fold and press a 3cm hem and

loosely hand herringbone the hem in place to finish.

jersey skirtStitch a staple skirt in a stretch fabric

24 sewmag.co.uk

We love an easy-stitch make that requires little fuss, and this no-pattern striped number by Amanda Walker is just that. Sewn using a four thread

overlocker, this simple skirt is a stylish wardrobe must-have! Use a sewing machine to stitch the elastic together; however if your machine

features a stretch stitch function, this can be used throughout.

No-pattern make!

25 sewmag.co.uk

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Navy StripeThis jersey stripe in blue hues by Cloud9 is perfect for creating a stylish number this summer. For stockists, visit www.hantex.co.uk/cloud9

the haberdashery

What’s that stitch?

Hand herringbone is often used to work

decorative borders to accent patchwork or to catch stitch

hems neatly.

sew style