Easy Panel Skirt Tutorial

How to make an Easy Panel Skirt.
 
 
I had this skirt from college {black & white one below} that didn’t fit me anymore.
Can I blame it on having babies? I pretty much blame everything on having babies, so yeah, I’m going to blame not fitting in any of my clothes on having babies. Anyway, I loved this skirt because the vertical lines gave it a very slimming effect, and I will take all the slimming effects I can get. Since it didn’t fit me anymore, I used it as a pattern to make a new {bigger} skirt.
And, here’s how!

Supplies you’ll need for this skirt:
 
Fabric- Any cotton fabric will work fine. I’ve used this pattern with a regular quilter’s fabric, and it was very lightweight and breezy, but fine. The fabric I’m using here is a little thicker, and it was actually in the apparel section at Joann. You’ll need about 1 1/2 yards {45″ wide}. I wanted my skirt 28 inches long, so I got double that amount of fabric {56 inches, which is just over a yard and a half}. I do, however, have SUPER long legs, so just measure and see how long you want yours. My model skirt was only 26 inches long, but I wanted to add some length. Oh, and make sure you get a fabric that you don’t have to match the pattern. Stripes would NOT look good because of all the different pieces.
 
Piping- 3 times as long as your length. Mine was 28″, so times 3, I needed 84 inches, plus a few inches just in case.
Bias Tape- One package {3 yards}. This is to go around the top and bottom.
 
Zipper- Mine was 9 inches. I like invisible zippers, but use whatever you have.
 
Scissors, sewing machine, matching thread
 
The skirt is basically made of 7 panels. I know it looks intimidating, but please don’t give up. I promise, it’s easy. Here is how the panels go together to make the skirt.
I used my son’s drawing paper to make my pattern. You can use newspaper or tissue paper, whatever.
 
 
All of my measurements I’m sharing with you are based off of my old skirt. I’m not sure what size it was, but it had a 28 inch waist {THAT’S why it didn’t fit!!!}. Add to it or take away if you need to. I’ll show you when.
 
So… 6 out of 7 of your panels are the same shape. It is this shape {below}: So, you need 6 of these. Don’t forget to add 1/2″ seam allowance.
 
One side of the panel is straight. The other side is slanted. So on a straight edge, just cut in 4 inches on top and 7 inches on bottom. {plus 1/2″ for 2 seam allowances} then cut the top to the bottom and it should make this shape.
 

I forgot to label this, but it’s panel A.

Your 7th Panel is just the above panel {panel a} doubled. You don’t need to cut a pattern paper for this, because you’re going to cut on the fold, so just cut a pattern paper for panel a {the one above this}, and you’re good. This is your back, center panel. Like I said, this one needs to be cut on the fold.
 
 
 
Here is the diagram of how I cut my fabric.
 
 
I messed up and started cutting from the biased edge in, but start with your straight edge on the fold {for panel b} and start cutting outward, toward the biased edge.
 
 
Here are the back pieces laid out, ready to sew together.
 
 
Remember how I said that the back middle piece {panel b} is just panel a doubled, well….. if you want to make your skirt bigger, add a few inches to panel b. Just move it away from the fold as much as you want to add. Really, it’s better to make it bigger and take in the side seams, than to make it too small. Or, if you want to make it smaller, just cut panel b smaller.
 
 
 
And here is my front all ready to be sewn together {below}.
This part might get confusing… Stick with me.
Sew the center pieces’ straight edges together. {Right sides together}
Then the outside pieces’ slanted edges get sewn to the center pieces’ slanted edges.
You’ll know it’s right if you’ve got the straight edges on the side seams, which will be sewn to the back. And you’ll know you’ve sewn the back part right if you’ve got the straight edges on the side seams too.
So, always sew slanted to slanted and straight to straight.
{the picture below might confuse you, but trust me.}
 
 
I started sewing the front. Sew the two center pieces together. Right sides together. You’re sewing the straight edges to each other.
 
 
I used my serger, but you can use a regular machine, whatever.
 
 
Once you’ve sewn the center seam, then sew the outside panels.
 
 
Be a good little seamstress and iron your seams.
 
 
Now you need to add your piping. Cut it the length of your skirt. Mine is 28 inches, but I added half an inch, just in case.
 
 
You’ll need to cut 3.
 
 
You’re going to top-stitch the piping on top of the seams on the front of your skirt. No piping on the side seams or back of the skirt.
Make sure not to pull the piping too tight or your skirt won’t lay flat. Don’t ask how I know that.
 
 
Sew down one edge of the piping and back up the other edge.
 
 
As long as your thread matches your piping, it shouldn’t matter if you sew {perfectly} straight, but at least stay on the piping… oopsie!
 
 
Then cut off the excess on the bottom.
 
 
Once you’ve got the piping on, then sew the back piece to the front piece on one side. Right sides together. We are only sewing one side because you still have to add the bias tape to the top and bottom and add a zipper before you sew the other side up.
You might want to try the skirt on at this point, because it’s still easy to take in a seam if you need to, or cut a bigger back panel {panel b} if it’s too small.
 
Start sewing the bias tape onto the top {waist} and bottom of the skirt.
 

If you are standing in the sewing isle of your local craft store and you’re thinking to yourself… “hmmm, what kind of bias tape should I get…” Let me show you what kind NOT to get.

You really need to get the kind that just folds in half rather than in thirds, but since I had been back to the store TWICE already, and my second trip made me re-think having children anymore….
I made the kind of bias tape I had work. I had to zig-zag it so that I could stitch down both edges, but if you had the right kind, you would just have to do a straight stitch.
Please, just get the right kind.

And since I had such a hard time with the {wrong type of} bias tape on the waist, I opted to just serge the bottom and then top stitch the extra piping on top. You could really do this instead of using bias tape at all. But you would need a serger, or you’d have to finish the edges.

Make sure you don’t let the serged edge hang below your piping.

Then sew your zipper in and sew up the other side.

If you need help sewing in your zipper, refer to the package for instructions, or you can check out this post by Michelle at SewMamaSew. {I didn’t do it the way Michelle did it, so I’m thinking I probably did it the wrong way, but meh…. It still worked.}

The zipper is the only thing that holds the skirt together, so if you are nervous about that, you can add a button and a loop at the top just in case. I didn’t, because let’s face it, I’m sort of lazy.

And there you have it!
This skirt took me about 1 1/2 hours, and cost $13.00, but you could make it for much cheaper if you found a fabric on sale!

I also made one using green and brown.

And, on a side note, I take back the thing I said earlier about not wanting kids anymore. They’re just too cute!
{By the way, it took me 7 shots to get one of this skirt without either kid or The Mr. lacing up his bball shoes.}

 

 
 

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Hi, I’m Natalie. I am a do it yourself mom. I am a firm believer that no matter the project, with the right tools, good instructions, and a little bravery, YOU can do anything.

22 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!|

    Reply

  2. Natalie, I searched and scoured the internet for a skirt pattern just like this. I finally found your skirt pattern. It is going to be a leg lamp skirt with black fringe on the bottom and I plan to thread wire through the bottom row of Bias tape to make it stand out. Thank you so much for this great pattern!!

    Reply

  3. great dyi. 🙂
    i’m trying to make a skirt with j shaped panels and i’m having a hard time getting it started without screwing something up…. any advice?

    Reply

    1. Kelly,
      I’ve never made a skirt with J shaped panels. I would assume the instructions should be about the same, just sew carefully along the curved parts. Good luck!
      Natalie

      Reply

  4. Thank you for this tutorial! I have some pink fabric that is going to look great now as this skirt! Can’t wait to start!

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  5. Thanks for the post. Your skirt is so very pretty. I, however, used your tips to construct a Dalek (Doctor Who robot) costume out of felt for my son. Now everyone thinks I’m a genius, so thanks for that, too 😉

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  6. Brilliant. I made a large long length one for my mums birthday and a tiny one and made it into a dress for my toddler x

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  8. I just finished making this skirt for myself. Thank you so much for your thorough instructions. It went together so easily! I love the skirt, it's a great fit on me and I can't wait for some warmer weather so I can wear it.

    Reply

  9. I love this. I put my sewing machine away a few years back because I just can't make anything nice, but this makes me want to give it another whirl. I may have to give it a go this weekend. Love the fabrics you chose as well. Gorgeous!

    Reply

  10. Looks easy. I may have to head to my mama's this weekend to use her sewing machine. Thanks for sharing an easy way to look cute!

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  12. Oh my gosh!!!! Nat I love this skirt! I always read your blog and think, "Gee, I should really start using my sewing machine. I know how to sew why don't I?" And then I remember how I am not a patient person and every time I need to re-thread the machine, it jams, or I get excited and sew too fast which mean picking it out then I remember why my machine is a bit dusty. That and I have a 10 month old boy that wouldn't let me be too productive. BUT the good news is this skirt got me excited and I am considering pulling out my machine again. thanks nat!

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  14. Cute, cute skirt. Had to bookmark this for future reference. These would be really cute for my granddaughters and maybe me! I'm a new follower so I can see what other cute things you come up with.
    CAS

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  15. I love your skirt! I still blame my figure on having babies too. (even though the youngest will be seventeen next month, lol) I'm a new follower!

    Reply

  16. Uhh! I so totally jealous that you have a serger! I want one so badly! I'm saving my pennies… I currently have $143…but I obviously need at least twice that. Sigh. I hate having to wait for the thing I want. :/ On a side note, I need to answer your email. I'll do that soon.
    Oh, and you're totally welcome for linking to you, you DID inspire it after all. 😉 Can't wait to see the pics of Molly's room. 🙂

    Reply

  17. Make one for meeeeeee! Or maybe with your tutorial I ca actually do it myself. But the prior is my first request 😉

    Reply

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