A tiered skirt is made up of multiple layers or tiers of fabric that increase in width and length with each tier. It is usually what you make for little kids. But even for adults with a bohemian soul, this is a good skirt to make. Here is how to make it out of patchwork fabric that you can make out of fabric scraps from old sewing projects.
For making the patchwork fabric you can collect fabric in a particular color scheme that you want to make your skirt in and then start stitching the pieces together.
Amount of fabric scraps you need for sewing this skirt will vary depending on the length of the skirt and the number of tiers. But, believe me, it is a lot if you are making a long skirt. You will need to ensure that you have similar weight fabrics. It is better to use lightweight fabrics like cotton for this. But not too lightweight that it is see through.
You also need elastic for the waistband (or a zipper). Instead of a full elastic waistband, you can make one with a flat front and an elasticised back as in this skirt tutorial.
Measure your body
Related posts: Divided skirt pattern ; Half circle skirt tutorial
Take these measurements:
Waist Measurement: Measure around the part of your waist where you want the skirt to sit. Hip round : this is the measure around the widest part of your body.
Skirt Length: Decide how long you want the skirt to be. This will help determine the depth of each tier.
Number of Tiers: Decide on the number of tiers. Three is a common choice, with each tier getting progressively wider and longer.
Calculate Fabric for Each Tier
First Tier: Typically, this is 2 times your hip measurement.
Second Tier: About 3 times your hip measurement.
Third Tier: About 4 times your hip measurement.
Height of Tiers: First decide on the skirt length you want on your skirt. (Related post: Types of skirts length) Divide the total desired skirt length by the number of tiers to find the height of each tier. You may want to vary the length so that the bottom tier is longer than the top one.
Account for seam allowance and hem allowance and also for waistband.
Join the fabric pieces together.
When you are using patchwork fabric for making clothes, it is different from using it for making bedding or any other home decor items. You will not want to see the cut edges of the fabric sticking inside and it is also cumbersome to finish all those edges one by one.
A better way is to finish the seam in such a way that the cut edges do not project to any whichever way.
So you have these two fabric pieces. Let us start joining these patchwork pieces together.
Keep them together, rightsides to the inside.
Keep the bottom fabric 1/2 inch projected to the outside.
Bring that projected 1/2 inch over the edge of the top fabric.
Sew it there.
You have this enclosed seam. But it is still projecting.
And you want it flat. So, turn the seam to one side.
Sew it there. This is your back of the fabric.
On the front side, this is how it will look – same as it does on the back.
Join all the fabric pieces this way – use the same color thread as the fabric to make it look seamless. Press at all points to get smooth stitching lines.
Cut the patchwork fabric in the pattern measurement
Ensure that the height of each tier accounts for hemming and seam allowances.
Sew the top tier into a skirt.
This is the top tier with the waistband.
Sew the edges of the first-tier fabric piece together to form a tube and then fold the top edge to the inside to make a waistband casing. Insert elastic inside the casing. For a snug fit, you can cut elastic about .8 times your waist round (or one or 2 inches less than your waist). Sew the ends of the elastic together.
Related post: Sewing waistband with elastic for skirts ; Sewing a separate waistband with elastic inside ( If you want to make elastic waistband in a different fabric than the main fabric, this tutorial is useful)
Now the top edge of the second tier has to be gathered to fit the bottom edge of the top tier.
Sew the fabric for the second tier as a tube (sew short edges together) and then make two basting stitches (long stitches) along the top edge inside the seam allowance.
Gather the edge using these gathering stitches.
Now attach the top tier and the second tier. As you sew , you may have to adjust the top edge of the lowest tier to match the width of the top ; sew them together.
Consider adding lace, ribbon, or other decorative elements between tiers or along the hem. This will enhance the charm of your tiered skirt.
If you are adding a third tier, Repeat this process.
A tiered skirt made of patchwork fabric is the ultimate in carrying the eco-friendly message of repurposing and recycling. Do you agree?
Related posts: Sewing patterns for different skirts
