Frocks & Frou Frou: Tango and James

Ask, and ye shall receive! Here's the step by step instructions on how to make my (CatRabbit's!)DIY full skirt with elasticised waist. It's seriously, seriously easy folks.

You can use any kind of fabric - The first time I used a cotton fabric, which gave the skirt a little poofiness - this time I used jersey which is a little softer and drapey.

Step 1. Measure out some fabric to the length and fullness that you'd like the skirt. More fabric = more fullness.

To give you an idea, this is the fabric-to-body ratio I used to make this skirt:

Step 2. Pin the edges together - try to match up the seams if you can - you don't think it'll make a difference, but it can actually be noticeable if it's a really striking pattern.

Step 3. Sew the seams together.

Step 3a: If you feel like it, you can press & finish the seam by ironing it, then sewing a second line of stitching down the edge of the seam to encourage it to sit flat.

Step 4: Measure the elastic to allow it to sit comfortably around your waist, then sew the two edges together. I used a satin stitch, because it's extra strong.

Step 5: Start your gathering! Sew a basting stitch (the longest stitch your machine will let you sew) all around the waist of the skirt fabric, then grab one thread from one edge and start pulling... gently! If the thread snaps, you'll have to start again! Keep gathering until the skirt waist sort of matches up to the waistband

Step 6: Pin the two together! Don't skimp on the pins. More pins = less trouble sewing the two together. Check your gathering to make sure it's all even