4-Tier Skirt Tutorial

Our resident designer, Elizabeth, teamed up with Leena to create this bohemian chic maxi skirt. During this last gasp of summer hotness we call August - it feels a millions degrees in Utah! - these easy going skirts are great to wear with a tee and flippy sandals and great to dress up with a chunky necklace for a night out on the town. Dontcha think? Here's easy step by step instructions for how to create your own:

To give you an idea of how to make a 4-tier skirt, this pattern includes measurements for a skirt measuring 45" in the hips and 36" inches long. Please feel free to widen or shorten the strip widths and lengths to individualize the skirt. The stated yardage requirements are based on the given measurements in this pattern. You’ll need less fabric for a smaller size and more fabric for a larger size.  

Preparation:Prepare fabric (either wash and dry or dry clean). All seams are 1/4". Seams allowances are included in pattern dimensions. Measure the widest part of your hips/waist to determine the width of the first tier, then add three inches for wearing ease. Tear or cut all fabric strips to measurement.

Fabric Requirements: First tier measurements: 45" x 9 ½" (This includes casing for elastic waistband) Yardage requirements: 1/4 to ½ yard.
The following tiers are 1 ½ times wider than the previous one (example: 45 x 1.5 = 68).
Second tier: 68" x 9" Yardage requirements: ½ to 3/4 yard.
Third tier: 102" x 9 1/2" Yardage requirements: 3/4 to 1 yard
Fourth tier: 153" x 10 1/2" Yardage requirements: 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 yard

Sewing directions:For construction ease sew skirt flat, then sew one side seam when all pieces are joined. Iron each seam, then serge. Mark each tier bottom and top (but not waist band or hem) at 1/4, ½, and 3/4 points to help when joining each layer. Set sewing machine to longest stitch length. Sew three parallel basting seams 1/4" apart at top of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier. Pull basting threads and pin it to the bottom of the smaller tier, then sew seam. Do this same step for each tier. Remove basting threads that show on right side. Sew side seam. Optional: Add trim/ribbon to cover seam lines between tiers. Turn under and sew waistband, then insert elastic. Hem skirt. Gather hem into pleats approximately the same width as waist and press the entire length all around the skirt to set pleats for a casual look.

These lush and colorful skirts remind me of a two week stint I spent in Italy! I had a similar skirt that I picked up in the market place there and I wore it to death - it was so comfortable. Come into the shop and pick out some fabric and trim to make your own version!