DIY Easy Two-layered Gathered Lace Skirt

Did you know I used to hate wearing a skirt? Well, actually the reason I hated it, was because I detested wearing tights. Fortunately, I got older and used to tights, but I still prefer to wear skirts mostly during summer, with bare feet. And, seeing that I don't own that many shorter summer skirts (I only seem to be wearing this one I made last year) there was a cap in my wardrobe that needed filling. Then, in a couple of hours, I made this super simple gathered lace skirt with two layers. The cool feature about this skirt is, that the inner layer is a pencil skirt, and the outer is a gathered skirt. I love this combo!

Here's how to make your own:

You will need:
1) An old t-shirt or stretch fabric
2) Lace
3) 5-cm-wide elastic
4) 2-cm-wide elastic
5) Sewing Machine
6) Pins, safety pin, scissors, thread

Start by constructing the underskirt:

From t-shirt
1) Find an old t-shirt that is your desired color (that you want peeking through). The width of the t-shirt waist has to equal the width of your hips.
2) Cut off the shoulders and sleeves, then sew a curved line from the top until about the center (marked lines on the image above).
3) Cut the excess seam allowances.
4) Measure the length of the elastic you'll need by pulling it around your waist. When it's nice and tight, make a mark and cut. You'll be using the 2-cm-wide elastic here. Or, you can also use lingerie elastic, whatever works better for you, or what you have at hand.

From scratch
1) Cut 2 rectangles of stretch fabric. The width of the rectangle equals you hip measurement divided by 2. The length equals the desired length of your dress minus 5cm.
2) Place the two rectangles right sides together and mark a curved line to the side seam similar to the one marked on the image above.
3) Sew side seams.
4) Cut  the excess seam allowances.
5) Measure the length of the elastic you'll need by pulling it around your waist. When it's nice and tight, make a mark and cut. You'll be using the 2-cm-wide elastic here. Or, you can also use lingerie elastic, whatever works better for you, or what you have at hand.
6) Hem the skirt if necessary.

 The second step is to sew the lace skirt:
1) Cut a rectangle from the lace with these measurements: width = 2xhips, length = finished skirt length + 7cm (+5cm for hemming, if you want).
2) Make a canal for the elastic. sew down 7 cm from the top of the lace. Most lace fabrics don't fray, so just fold 7cm to the wrong side of the fabric, and sew with a 1cm seam allowance, creating a 6cm wide canal for the elastic to go through.
3) If need be, sew the hem.
4) Attach a safety pin to on end of the 5-cm-wide elastic (which should be the same length as you used for the underskirt) and guide it through the canal. Makes sure to secure the end of the elastic to the end of the canal so you don't accidentally just pull it through (it has happened). Also, secure the other end once you get there.
5) fold the lace, right side in, and sew the back seam shut, securing the elastic as well.
6) Fold the seam allowance open on the wrong side and sew the elastic down, just for better comfort.

 

Yes, I did make mine out of an old curtain, if you were wondering :). I always try to find new use for old materials, so I gave it a try. I really like it, so I'm happy I took the risk.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that it sparked a little creative fire in you!

xo Hanna