angry chicken

July 13, 2008

5-minute skirt*

Here's the 5-minute skirt how to I have been meaning to post. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom. And are you annoyed trying to read all this while at your sewing machine? I am! So get the PDF version right here. It's kind of a big file, just so you know.

This super easy to sew skirt is 2 pieces, front and back, cut on the bias. The waistband is FOE (fold over elastic) and the hem is rolled with a serger. You don't need a serger for this projectit just means you will need to hem your skirt the traditional way, which is any way you normally would. Here's what you need: -skirt fabric (I strongly suggest a woven cotton with a wee bit of stretch. EDIT-t's better if this fabric has no stretch than a fabric with too much. So a normal woven cotton would work, but not a cotton knit or jersey.)The best way to make sure you have enough fabric is to make your paper pattern first and take it to the fabric shop. Or, make your paper pattern and measure it out first, if you are ordering fabric online. Don't forget to get extra fabric for shrinkage. For a rough guide, figure about 2 1/2 yards for an XL and 2 yards for a XS, depending on the fabric width and your skirt length. This is a generous estimate. -FOE (fold over elastic) you need this for the waistband, so get at least your waist circumference. You can find it in a gazillion colors at SewZanne's -A big ol' piece of paper to make your pattern. I love Swedish tracing paper, but you can use whatever is big enough. In a pinch, you can also use muslin or another piece of fabric if you have some lying around. (In a major pinch, you can skip the paper pattern and draw these lines directly on the skirt fabric, but you didn't hear it from me.)

1. To make the paper pattern, get your tape measure: A=your waist circumference divided by 2 plus 3" (So let's say my waist is 28", ha, that's funny. That would make A=17") B=A+22" (So, in my fabricated small waist example B=17"+22" which is 39") C=Your favorite skirt length. (Try measuring your favorite skirt as a guide for the length. If you are serging a rolled hem, no extra is needed. If you are using a traditional hem, add what you need, about 1" should do it if you are making a smallish hem. On my skirt, C =24") When drawing the pattern, Notice how the hem dips a bit, in the

front? It's about a 1/2" dip, but it's really not a big deal, include it or leave it out. 2. Lay this pattern out on the bias onto your folded skirt fabric. This means the grain of the fabric should match the arrow on the skirt in that sketch up there, see that? So the skirt pattern will lie at an angle. You will need to cut 2 pieces, which is why the fabric needs to be folded in half. 3/8" seam allowance already included. 3. Sew the skirt side seams right sides together. Turn it right side out and try it on. You should be able to fit it over your booty with a good tug. If it's too tight, cut 1/2" off the top to make the waist wider. Don't make it too big, it should be snug. It will stretch a bit over time.

4. Now sew the FOE onto the waistband using a zigzag stitch, stretching the FOE as you stitch. Try not to stretch the skirt fabric at all. Don't pre-cut the FOE, just stretch and sew it on. It won't fray, so when you are done stitching it on just sew right over the end, overlapping where you started.

5. Using a serger (and wooly nylon thread if you are extra fancy) serge with 3 thread rolled hem. The wooly nylon on one cone makes the rolled edge nice and full, covering the fabric edge completely. If you are sergerless, fold the edge over twice and edge stitch, or use the hem stitch on your sewing machine (Yes, there is one!) Go slow and ease as you need to, hemming on the bias can be a bit swear-y. You could also hem with bias tape, that would look super cute. You can use this method here. *Disclaimer: The 5 minutes only apply if you have a serger, all the supplies at the ready, and are sober. Please allow for extra time if your personal situation deviates from this. July 13, 2008 in fabric & fibers, tutorials/recipes | Permalink Comments

jen j-m said... i am so trying this. it will be more like the five hour skirt for me, i'm guessing, but i am excited to give it a go. thanks. Reply July 13, 2008 at 07:45 AM

Adrian said... Heh, I'm with jen j-m, this will take me a while, but not as long as most of my sewing projects. Thank you! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:01 AM

tony(a) Lemos said... this is my kinda pattern! thanks for posting! -t Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:13 AM

Grace said... Well, thank you! Any recos for finding the fabric with the stretch? Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:16 AM

Grace said... PS: I meant to say that this is even easier than "Sew What: Skirts" which is saying something, since those are SO easy. Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:21 AM

leah said... So stinkin' cute. I wish I had a serger. And five minutes. And, oh, I guess I should pop this baby out before I go to the trouble of making any new clothes! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:21 AM

Catty said... Yea! Thank you. I have ordered Sew What! Skirts, but am dying to start something and have just the fabric. Unfortunately will have to wait for FOE! I love your color combos! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:25 AM

angie said... I love the skirt but, the disclaimer made me laugh till I cried. Dang funny! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:31 AM

Jess said... You are a riot! Thanks for the Tutorial. Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:47 AM

Sarah said...

Love the dots! Please advise on where to get woven cotton with a bit of stretch. Thanks! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:53 AM

sally said... Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! I've been basically wanting to make this type of skirt for a long time - tough to find this pattern in my town. Thank You! Reply July 13, 2008 at 09:03 AM

kristin said... What a lovely tutorial! Thank you for sharing! :) I love to work from tutes. As a matter of fact I just posted one over at my blog! Reply July 13, 2008 at 09:40 AM

chez shoes said... Ack - want to make this NOW! I'm counting the days until I can move to a bigger place and have space to sew in once again. Bookmarked for the future. Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM

Niki said... That's darn cute! Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:04 AM

robbie jones said... love love love the disclaimer! lol ....and of course the skirt! Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:18 AM

Angela Roth said... Do you ever find issues with cutting a stretch fabric on the bias when doing something like this???? For example-has bias / stretch fabric ever creeped up your thigh, or had in "bag out" weird in the booty/ knee area?? I have had these issues and thought it was because of the bias/ stretch fabric combo. Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:23 AM

teri said... just jumping in line here to join the thousands who are and will be saying THANKS for this fun, cute and easy tutorial. You're the best, Amy! Gonna start a flickr group for it? Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:41 AM

MIchele said... Thank you Thank you THANK YOU!!! I love this pattern. Just what I have been looking for and you are the BEST for taking the time to "talk" us through this!! Reply July 13, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Thimbleina said... Love the skirt and the disclaimer at the bottom! Reply July 13, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Lisa said... I was happy to find FOE in black and white at my local Jo-Ann's! Reply July 13, 2008 at 12:28 PM

Adrienne said...

Sweet! Thank you! Reply July 13, 2008 at 01:01 PM

Wendi Gratz said... I make a skirt almost exactly like this (not always on the bias) and I've found I get a better fit if I make the waistband dip about 1/2" in the middle (like the hem). I like my skirts to sit a bit below my natural waist (actually - just below the bump of my tummy if I'm being totally honest) and it helps the skirt fit better without bagging up in a weird way. Love the new banner! Reply July 13, 2008 at 01:43 PM

Paige said... How awesome! I've got skirts on the brain, so I'll be trying this one sooner than later. Thanks! Reply July 13, 2008 at 02:32 PM

Lindsey Z. said... Thank you! I love the video tutorial about bias tape. I just used it to finish a fast baby blanket and could NOT figure out in one evening what you showed in four minutes on your tutorial. Brilliant. Love the skirt. Thank you for the pdf. To make the 1-2" dip in the hem and the waist as suggested do you just take you scissors to it? And eyeball a natural dip? Reply July 13, 2008 at 02:47 PM

Tonya said... Thank you so much!! I have been looking forward to this tutorial since you mentioned the skirt. I can't wait to make it. And you make me laugh. A 28 inch waist is a bit of a joke to me too, after two babies. Reply July 13, 2008 at 02:57 PM

rebecca said... thanks for the link for the FOE! i'm absolutely ordering some.... i MUST start sewing for my daughter again! and, i've got a confession - i have a serger.. and not the foggiest idea of how to use it! i wonder if i can take a lesson somewhere??? Reply July 13, 2008 at 03:01 PM

Carrie said... Yippie! I've been trying to figure out what sort of skirt to make with some yummy fabric I recently bought and I think this pattern will be perfect. Thanks for sharing. I've never heard of fold over elastic, but I'm very excited to experiment with it! Reply July 13, 2008 at 05:15 PM

LindaS said... Oh my! Thank you - you have no idea! I have a pile of fabric that I keep looking at and thinking "I need some kind of simple bias pattern for that". Thank you!! Reply July 13, 2008 at 05:16 PM

heather t said... So funny! I was just looking for a skirt pattern. A bias-cut is not for the fabric I want to use, but this tutorial makes me want to dig thru my stash - there's gotta be something in there that will work with this! Reply July 13, 2008 at 05:19 PM

lavon said... THIS IS SO GREAT. THANKS Reply July 13, 2008 at 05:52 PM

eireann said... ...especially that last one, huh. yeah, it's not pretty to sew while tipsy. heeeee!! Reply July 13, 2008 at 06:11 PM

carrie said... Your disclaimer at the end is precisely why I check your blog so regularly! Very funny and informative tutorial... thank you. Reply July 13, 2008 at 06:22 PM

Hilary said... Ok,so here is what I always wonder...if you don't have a serger what do you do with the seams on the sides?Won't they fray?Do you just zig zag over them?French hem(too much trouble?)? Reply July 13, 2008 at 06:37 PM

Laura J R said... Ah sobriety is clearly the key here...cute skirt, great pattern. Thanks for the lesson. Reply July 13, 2008 at 07:30 PM

Jennifer said... I can't wait to try this! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:22 PM

Isabelle said... I make a 15 minute version of this skirt with a zipper. I'm going to try a bias binding hem now, thanks for the idea! Reply July 13, 2008 at 08:38 PM

cheryl said... thank you! very excited to make this! Reply July 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM

cheryl said... thank you! very excited to make this! Reply July 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM

nerida said... GREAT skirt! Thank you! I loved that when referring to the waist measurement, you have typed 'waste' - this is a more accurate reflection of my own middle section as it's certainly not 28 inches!! :) Reply July 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM

carolyn said... thanks Reply July 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM

Sparklygreenknickers said... Thanks for the tute - and thanks to Wendi for the extra advice, too! Reply July 13, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Kristen's Raw said... OMG! That is soooo cute. You know, I never imagined making my own clothes again. I had a sewing machine when I was eleven, but god knows what happened to it. I remember making a pair of Hello Kitty shorts that I wore the heck out of :) With my eco-friendly life, I'm now considering this... making my own clothes for me and my family. Gosh, but do I have the time to learn? I also want to learn to garden. Which one? Which one? I don't have much room for a garden, other than rigging something on my balcony. Still, it's an option. Thanks for a great and inspiring post. Reply July 13, 2008 at 11:45 PM

maxine said... Yay!! thank you, thank you, thank you, i've been looking for an easy pattern to try my first skirt and this looks great, now to find a FOE stoockist near me!! Reply July 14, 2008 at 12:14 AM

Emma said... Wow 5 minutes, I strongly doubt I could do it in that time! Reply July 14, 2008 at 01:17 AM

Knitterella said... THANKS so much! This looks really cute and looks like a perfect skirt!!! Your disclaimer is so funny -'if you're sober' - HA! ;) Reply July 14, 2008 at 03:14 AM

Jogirl said...

Hi there, this is fabulous...just a quick question..with your diagrams, how do you put them on the net so clearly? do you just draw them, photograph them and post as usual? cheers Jogirl Reply July 14, 2008 at 04:01 AM

Lorrie said... this skirt is great! now, I just need a new sewing machine. your disclaimer is hilarious :) Reply July 14, 2008 at 05:52 AM

Alexis said... Thank you and I love the new banner! Reply July 14, 2008 at 06:00 AM

Elaine/Muddling Through said... Excellent! I can't tell you how much I love "quick and easy"! Thanks, as always, for sharing!!! ~Elaine~ Reply July 14, 2008 at 06:29 AM

cindy said... Talking about skirts...You mentioned in a previous post making a jersey skirt too--do you practically follow the same pattern but smaller? I love the idea of a raw edge hem on the jersey skirt! Reply July 14, 2008 at 07:28 AM

Amy said... very cute pattern! now...if I only had a serger and wasn't getting bigger from pregnancy every day! This one will have to wait for next summer! Reply July 14, 2008 at 07:43 AM

amy k. said... jogilI draw them and scan them and save them as jpegs. it's the scanner that makes them nice. . . and cindyif you use jersey, I'd use an elastic waistband, not FOE, but maybe take the waist in a tad Reply July 14, 2008 at 08:20 AM

Ros said... Such a cute skirt. I love the contrasting hem at the bottom. I so need to get a serger. Does it have to be cut on the bias though? Bias cuts do such unkind things to my well-rounded figure. Reply July 14, 2008 at 08:23 AM

katy said... would the calculations work for a child's skirt too? Thanks for the adult version! Reply July 14, 2008 at 08:27 AM

Amanda said... I think I'm in love with FOE. Reply July 14, 2008 at 08:40 AM

JLC` said... Wow this is so awesome! I was just thinking about making a skirt this weekend! You so awesome thanks for the tips!!! Reply July 14, 2008 at 09:06 AM

Sammi said... Thank you for adding the note about sobriety... I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to sit down to sew with a mojito ;) Reply July 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM

Joy said... another happy reader saying Thank You! Great tutorial--did you know you're teaching me how to sew? :) Reply July 14, 2008 at 11:15 AM

Melissa said... Thank you so much! I bought fabric, then decided to make a skirt (which I don't do)and now I have a pattern! Reply July 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM

giabella designs said... What a great tutorial, funny too! Reply July 14, 2008 at 11:41 AM

Rachel said... Great tutorial! I'm never happy with skirt lengths - making my own is the perfect solution! Reply July 14, 2008 at 11:41 AM

Christy S said... Eeeekkk!! Happy,happy,joy, joy. You must have know that I just got a gazillion yards of FOE from Sewzanne's last week. This is my kind of skirt, and since I, too have a mythical 29" waist, this skirt should be perfect! Thanks for sharing.

Reply July 14, 2008 at 11:57 AM

JillyBoo said... Simple can be so so good! And, I thought I was the only one in the world that sat down to the machine for a few creative moments with a buzz on! This is in spite of the delay in completion time, of course. Reply July 14, 2008 at 03:17 PM

sarah said... Thank you for the tutorial! I have been wanting to make a bias-skirt for myself for ages, and this is exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks! Reply July 14, 2008 at 10:44 PM

emma said... Hey thanks! I just bought some beautiful royal blus silk and some royal blue gauzy stuff and wanted to make a simple two-layer floaty skirt and this looks just perfect! I can't wait to get home and try it! Reply July 15, 2008 at 10:36 AM

Michele said... Woohoo, the perfect project for us immediate gratification junkies. Now, where did I put that 3 yard piece of red fabric? Reply July 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM

Sue said... Well, if you have to be sober, forget it! :-} Reply July 15, 2008 at 03:52 PM

Cami said... Wow, Angry Chicken. Very nice tut. Add me to the list of loving admirers of this awesome tutorial. I'm all about it! Reply July 15, 2008 at 07:44 PM

Heidi said... I love this. If you hem with bias tape, will that show along the bottom? Sorry for the dumb question. I watched the tutorial. :-) Reply July 15, 2008 at 09:30 PM

Barbara said... Fabulous instructions. I have a favourite bias cut skirt I bought from a charity shop and the shape looks just like this one. Think I might have to give this a try! Reply July 16, 2008 at 03:32 PM

kelsi said... So... 4 and half hours later I finish. I was sober but a fairly new sewer. I made it for a friend who has trouble finding clothes to fit her frame. Yes the hem (no serger :( ) wasn't easy but I had more trouble with the fold over elastic. It took several goes (my seam ripper is my best friend) and it looks ok, will have to wait to see it on! Does anyone have any advice for working with FOE for future projects? Thanks for the pattern! Reply July 17, 2008 at 04:29 PM

Kelly said... This is a great post. Why are you so much easier to understand than pretty much all other sewing instructions to me? Reply July 17, 2008 at 06:42 PM

Momma Roar said... Looks great! I'm just not sure about that FOE...how do you know the amount you need will make it around the skirt? Do you pin it to the skirt first? Reply July 18, 2008 at 04:34 AM

hayley said... I vote for a FOE tutorial like the binding one! Sobriety optional... :) Can't wait to give this a whirl. Reply July 18, 2008 at 01:51 PM

Kristena said... You're hilarious! :) Reply July 18, 2008 at 02:22 PM

RUTH said... Use baking PARCHMENT PAPER to make patterns. Buy the widest rolls you can. If possible, ROLL the pattern while storing. Get a 'wrapping paper' long, 'tube' box. RUBBERMAID makes them. Label the outside of the pattern( size and item)and you'll be able to use these over and over again. You can even print the sewing instructions and keep them with the pattern. ANOTHER IMPORTANT TIP:IRON the paper before you use it to make it flat- use a medium to low heat on a no steam setting. It really makes a huge difference! Also ALWAYS WASH YOUR MATERIAL FIRST BEFORE CUTTING SO MOST OF THE SHRINKING HAS ALREADY HAPPENED. NOTHING IS WORSE THAN SLAVING OVER SOMETHING ONLY TO HAVE IT SHRINK THE FIRST TIME YOU WASH IT! Reply July 19, 2008 at 08:37 AM

MSW said... Without a serger... this was about a 30 minute skirt... after going to five stores... I finally found FOE at JoAnns... even though they only had white. I'll definitely be ordering one of every color on SewZanne's! This was so easy. I usually make bags... this was my first piece of clothing! I'm hooked! Thanks so much! I especially appreciated the tutorial on the bias tape... FINALLY... it came out looking PERFECT. Reply July 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM

Jules said... i'd given up on making clothes (everything really) with my 2yo boy underfoot but was inspired by your 5 min promise. just made a prototype from my husbands painting drop sheet - resourceful yes, pretty no! It's fab. Thank's so much. now just have to work out how to thrift shop for some vintage fabric with a 2yo boy underfoot.... Reply July 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM

bliss said... i did it! my friend and i did this over the weekend and i love my skirt! i didn't end up doing the the elastic because my fabric was a bit stiff/canvas like. so i did a fold over button closure! see! http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2697947110_b01391b9b4_m.jpg Reply July 24, 2008 at 06:53 AM

Stephanie said... Hi Amy, I tried this 5-minute skirt pattern but had a question. You said A=your waist circumference divided by 2 plus 3". Does that +3 make a total of 6 inches to the total (3 for the back piece 3 for the front piece?) or should it be 3 total (1.5" to the front, 1.5" to the back)? My skirt came out way too big both at the waist and the bottom hem (it flared out too much) when adding the 3" Reply July 24, 2008 at 12:53 PM

amy k. said... hey stephanieso, don't think back or front right now, what I am talking about is just the paper pattern. you add 3 " to your waist. then cut 2 pieces. So, it's only 3" total you add, 1 1/2" on either side of the waist measurement. make sense? If this is still to big for you, just trim off the FOE off, and take in the sides. . .hope this helps!! Reply July 24, 2008 at 07:01 PM

Jennx said... Wooly Nylon!!!!

That little tidbit just saved me hours of frustration and heartache. The last time I roll edged a skirt I removed my cutting knife and went over it something like 6 times and you could still see the darn fabric! Yeah Wooly Nylon! I can't wait. Reply July 27, 2008 at 08:13 AM

Jennx said... Wooly Nylon!!!! That little tidbit just saved me hours of frustration and heartache. The last time I roll edged a skirt I removed my cutting knife and went over it something like 6 times and you could still see the darn fabric! Yeah Wooly Nylon! I can't wait. Reply July 27, 2008 at 08:15 AM

Hazy said... Brilliant tutorial. You are tempting me to be brave enough to make my own clothes. Reply July 30, 2008 at 05:39 AM

tulips4me said... yay! can't wait to try this... Reply August 01, 2008 at 02:01 PM

Meg said... Um, yeah so your Five Minute Skirt has me pricing sergers. Thanks for that. I don't have room for my Singer Featherweight. And the Five Minute Skirt would be a Ten Minute Skirt on my regular machine. Damn you. Reply August 05, 2008 at 06:20 PM

Jen said... Just made a little different version of this to fit my prego belly. Thanks so much for the information and great tutorial!

http://bettycrockerass.blogspot.com/

Reply August 09, 2008 at 03:29 PM

mamajil said... I am gonna try this!! :) btw I found you through the artful parent blog Reply August 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM

Jessica said... Agree with everyone who nearly choked laughing at the disclaimer. Very funny. A flikr group would be awesome, too. I am pretty sure I am nearly certifiable as a skirt addict now... Jessica Rogers Owner, Sakura Rose Boutique www.sakurarose.com Reply August 19, 2008 at 08:29 PM

Hanna said... thanks so much for the free pattern.. I have wanted to make a skirt for a long time (and now i need one for post materinity!) this was the 1st piece of clothing i have ever made that i will actually wear!! thanks so much! ~hanna Reply August 25, 2008 at 08:08 AM

gemma jones said... yay! i finally made it! THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION:

http://kaotickraftkuties.blogspot.com/2008/09/stupidly-easy-amy-chicken-skirt.html Reply September 08, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Lori Ann said... I know I'm late coming across this, but better late than never. Bookmarking this on delicious to try later! Reply September 18, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Lori Ann said... Featured this in a list of top 10 crafting tutorials: http://www.simplemakes.com/2008/09/top-10-craft-tutorials.html. Enjoy! Reply September 21, 2008 at 05:08 PM

Jen said... Just made another one! It went a lot faster then the first. This time I used your bias tape video. It's rad. I love it. Thanks for putting all this out there and sharing. All my sewing friends are getting your book for Christmas! http://bettycrockerass.blogspot.com Reply October 05, 2008 at 02:11 PM Comments on this post are closed.