INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fold the main fabric from short end to short end with RS facing.  Stitch together using a 1/2” seam allowance.  Press the seam open on the WS and turn RS out.  Press the seam again on the RS.  Repeat with the backing fabric.  (You’ve started your two skirts.)



2. With the reverse fabric skirt RS out and the main fabric skirt WS out, place the reverse fabric skirt inside of the main fabric skirt so that they are RS together.  Align the skirts at the bottom and pin all the way around that bottom edge.  (This will be the hem.)  You will notice that the main fabric is 1-1/2” higher at the waist than the backing fabric - this is not a mistake!



3. Use a 1/2” seam allowance to stitch the skirts together all the way around that hemline - you have now joined the two skirts at the hem.  Press the hemline stitches on WS.

 

4. Turn the whole thing RS out, then place the main print skirt inside of the reverse skirt and align them at the hem.  Press the seam at the hem. 



5. Edge stitch the hem with a 1/8” seam allowance.  (I also like to topstitch the hem again with a 1/4” seam allowance - this isn’t necessary, I just like the look of a double line of stitches.)  Press the hem on the both RS sides of the skirt.

6. Fold the top edge of the main fabric 1/4” toward the WS and press.  Now fold over the top edge of the main fabric again, this time 1-1/4” so that it overlaps the backing fabric and creates the waistband.  Press and then pin the waistband in place.

7. Edge stitch the entire top folded edge of the waistband using a 1/8” seam allowance.  (This will help keep the elastic from shifting and twisting when the skirt is worn.)

8. Now secure the casing for the elastic to the skirt by stitching along the bottom folded edge of the waistband using a 1/8” seam allowance.  Be sure to leave an 2”-3” opening to insert the 3/4” elastic later.



9. Press both sides of the skirt.  Turn the skirt so that the main print is facing out.

10. Use an embroidery needle and floss to hand stitch selected lines from the main print through to the backing fabric.  Work around the entire circumference for the bottom third of the skirt.  Switch colors of the embroidery floss as you like.  You can leave the ends of the embroidery floss exposed, or hide them in between the two layers fabric.  With this print, I worked between the lines of the zigzags using two colors of cotton floss.  You can also try stitching right along the lines of certain motifs in the prints - each method results in a finished look that both highlights the print and also creates a unique pattern on the reverse of the skirt.









11. When finished, cut the elastic to fit your child’s waist and feed it through the waistband casing, being careful that it doesn’t twist.  Sew the elastic together, then stitch the waistband casing closed.

12. Press the entire skirt on both sides and you have two skirts ready to wear!