A-Line skirts are much loved around here, quick and easy, and comfy to make. Particularly when made in a nice soft knit fabric....but even better when you add a yoga style waistband and do away with elastic!
This one is a simple white cotton knit from the
Crafty Mamas shop ( Tamarama ) that I have dyed...likewise the white
Stella. I am no expert in the dyeing dept- but enjoy it so much! The good people at
Dharma accidentally sent this colour in my order- instead of Yellow...I am glad they did now! ( and they had my yellow out to me in 3 days-
thankyou guys!). This is Deep Orange Procion Dye. In a spiral knot.
For best results, make your waistband in a good quality cotton/elastomeric ( lycra) knit like our
STELLA or
GITTE. Why? The elastomeric gives the fabric it's recovery properties- or ZING! Allowing it to snap back.
First, make your skirt up using
my pattern for custom A-line skirts. ( I don't think you'll need help here, it's two pieces of fabric, sew up the sides. Yell if you do though!). When gauging length, take into account the Yoga band adds 10-20cm in length- depending how you wear it. Be sure and cut with the stretch running around the body.
To make your own A-Line knit skirt with Yoga style waistband you will need a piece of STELLA or GITTE this size:
With the stretch running across the fabric... W ( your waist measurement x .80 divided by 2, plus 2cm) by 22cm down. ( this will give you a finished Yoga waistband of 20cm deep, or 10cm when you fold it down. ). Note; you could make this band deeper and use for maternity wear.
Like this... you can either cut your waistband on a fold, like in pic. Or cut two of and add seam allowance to both sides.
Now, you are going to sew your waistband into a round..sew rights sides together A to B. The same as if we are making a neckband for a tee shirt!
After you have sewn your short waistband ends together, you will have a tube. Give the join a good press.
Now let's make it yoga-ish?? Fold in half..so raw edges are together. This will give you a tube that is now two layers, and 11cm deep. ( note in pic, mine has two side seams, I did not cut this one on fold)
Now to get this band attached!
Divide both your skirt waist and your yoga waistband into 1/4's- mark with chalk or pins.
With raw edges and right sides together...place your yoga waistband around and on top off your skirt. I like to match up the seam in the yoga waistband with the centre back of my skirt. ( If you have two side seams of your yoga band- simply match with your two skirt side seams!).
Now going slowly but surly, begin sewing on your yoga waistband. Stretch you band gently as you sew- both in front and behind the needle- matching up your 1/4 way marks as you go ( see- just like
attaching a neck band ! When you are done, you will have this...
.
Turn up your yoga band to the right side and give it a good pressing.
Now you can wear like this, or turn down..do what ever is comfy!
That's it. Easy Peasy. Wear and Enjoy! ( I don't hem these, I prefer the raw look, and it freaks out Mr Crafty- so I keep doing it ;)).
HINTS on SEWING KNITS : ( don't freak out!).
If using a sewing machine, use ball point or stretch needles. A must. Check out your manual for special stretch stitches your machine may have: ie; a lighting type stitch, a mock serge stitch. Play around with them first.
Your waistband WILL be smaller than your skirt waist- don't panic, it will stay up better this way! It will stretch to meet your skirt waistband as you sew.
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