How To Sew A Skirt Using Cheater Skirt Fabric

This is a step-by-step tutorial on how to sew a skirt using cheater skirt fabric. Cheater skirt fabric is a fantastic option for creating a stylish skirt with minimal effort. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, this tutorial will guide you through the process, from start to finish in about 15 minutes. Get ready to unleash your creativity and make a trendy skirt for girls that’s sure to turn heads!

Have you seen those fabrics in the store that have the wide elastic waistband already sewn to them? These are the easiest skirts ever to sew. Unfortunately, they usually come in a women’s length. Thankfully I’ve got an easy, fun way to shorten them without hassle!

What Is Cheater Skirt Fabric?

Skirt fabric is a convenient and versatile option for creating skirts. It is a fabric that is typically sold by the yard and comes with a pre-attached knit elastic waistband and a finished hem. This eliminates the need for additional sewing and allows for easy customization. With skirt fabric, you can simply cut it to your desired length, adjust the waistband as needed, and you have a comfortable and stylish skirt ready to wear. It is a great choice for quick and hassle-free sewing projects or for beginners looking to try their hand at garment-making.

Supplies

• Cheater skirt fabric: Look for this prefinished fabric at your local JoAnn fabric store or Hobby Lobby. Measure the girl’s waist you are sewing the skirt for and add 2 inches.
• Matching thread: Use polyester thread that matches your fabric. I like using Gutermann thread.
• Pins/Scissors

Instructions

These instructions will show you how to sew a skirt using prefinished skirt fabric with a wide elastic waistband.

How you make this skirt depends on whether your cheater skirt fabric has a lining like the sequin fabric I used. If you have a lining and you want to make a bubble skirt hem, follow the instructions that hems the top to the lining rather than sewing the hem through the top of the sequins, like you normally see a hem. This way the fabric has a bit of a bubble at the bottom. If you don’t want a bubble, or your fabric isn’t lined, just follow the instructions for a normal hem finish. If you don’t need to shorten the skirt you can skip to step 3.

Step 1: Pin the hem.

Determine the desired skirt length and measure the fabric from elastic top to bottom.

• Fold the fabric to the wrong side, adjusting the length according to your preference.
• For a cheater skirt with a lining: Pin the lining, only catching it in the seam for a bubble skirt.

Step 2: Sew the hem.

• For unlined skirts, topstitch on the right side along the turned edge to finish the bottom seam.
• For lined fabric, open the skirt up so the outer layer and lining layer are separated. Topstitch along the edge of the folded under layers. You will be sewing the bottom of both layers to the lining only. See image below.

Step 3: Complete the back seam with a French seam for a clean finish.

If you want to know how to sew a skirt with a french seam so the unfinished edges are enclosed in the seam, follow these instructions.

• Fold the skirt, aligning the wrong sides with the elastic and bottom edge matched.
• Pin the sides and sew using a ¼″ seam allowance.

Step 4: Finish the french seam.

• Turn the skirt right side out, with the wrong side facing out.
• Sew with a ⅜″ seam allowance, enclosing the raw edges of the first seam inside.

Step 5: Secure seam at elastic.

• Secure the waistband by folding the French seam to one side.
• Sew along the edge to prevent bulk and ensure a neat finish on the waistband.

What Is A French Seam?

In French seaming, you enclose fabric edges within the seam, achieving a tidy finish on both sides. First, sew the seam with wrong sides together, then with right sides, concealing the raw edges. This method suits delicate fabrics, preventing fraying and ensuring a polished outcome.

That’s it! This skirt sewing project should take about 15 minutes.