How to Sew a Flared Skirt

A flared skirt is a flowing style that gets its name from the way the fabric spreads out as you move. You can sew your own skirt using fabric in a variety of colors or even dye the fabric yourself. Even if you're a beginner, you can still finish your flared skirt in about an hour.

Gather your materials. Sewing a flared skirt is quite simple, and you don’t even need a pattern. For your skirt, you will need:

• About 1 meter of stretch fabric (color of your choice)
• A well-fitting skirt that matches your measurements
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine

Fold the fabric four times. First, fold the fabric in half so that both sides are even. Then, fold it again to ensure the length is consistent.

• If you're using patterned fabric, make sure the pattern faces inward when you fold it.
• Lay the fabric flat on a surface once it is folded.

Cut some fabric for the waistband. You'll need two pieces of fabric for the waistband, so cut a straight line a few centimeters from the top edge of the fabric. Be sure not to cut along the fold.

• Set the fabric pieces aside for now.

Use another well-fitting skirt to measure the waistband. Fold your skirt four times along its length and align the folded waistband of the fitting skirt with the folded edge of your fabric. Use the width of the folded skirt as a guide for the waistband width of your flared skirt.

• To create the waistband, cut a half-circle using scissors that matches the waistband width of the fitting skirt.
• It's best to cut the waistband a little smaller. Keep in mind that the fabric will stretch, and you can always make the waist bigger if needed.
• If you prefer, you can measure your waist with a tape measure. Simply divide the measurement by four to determine how wide the waistband should be.

Cut the skirt portion. Next, use scissors to cut along the outer edge of the skirt (once it’s unfolded). Aim to make the entire skirt the same length, but you may need to adjust certain areas to ensure it flares beautifully.

• Don’t worry if some of the edges are uneven. You will sew a hem around the edge, which will hide any imperfections in the cut.

Check the width of the waistband. Unfold the fabric you’ve already folded but keep it doubled. Next, unfold the well-fitting skirt and align the waistband with the waistline of the flared skirt. This will help you determine the correct waistband size.

• If the waistband seems too small, you can make it a little wider.

Measure the fabric for the waistband. Take the fabric piece you previously cut for the waistband and place it next to the waistband of the flared skirt. You should have two pieces of fabric overlapping with the pattern facing inward (if using patterned fabric). Align the fabric with the waistband and trim the edges to ensure enough material for sewing the waistband seam.

• Since the waist is curved and the fabric is cut straight, be sure to measure accurately, or you can cut extra fabric just in case.

Sew the waistband. Place the two waistband pieces together. If using patterned fabric, make sure the pattern faces inward. Sew the two waistband pieces along the width edge. Then, hem the longer edge by folding the fabric inwards about 1.2 cm and sewing along the edge.

• Use a standard stitch to sew the waistband.
• You don’t need elastic for the waistband since the fabric itself is stretchy.

Pin the waistband to the flared skirt. Lay the entire flared skirt flat on a table or floor. Take the waistband and pin it to the waistline of the flared skirt. When pinning, ensure that the pattern of the waistband is aligned with the skirt's pattern.

• The edges of the waistband and skirt must be aligned.
• Start by pinning one side of the waistband to the skirt, then pin the opposite side. Next, pin the center of the waistband after securing both ends. Continue pinning to ensure the waistband fits tightly around the skirt.

Sew the waistband to the flared skirt. Once the waistband is pinned to the skirt, sew along the waistband’s edge and the skirt using a zig-zag stitch. Remove the pins as you sew.

• Be sure to stretch both pieces of fabric as you sew to ensure they are stitched evenly and don’t shrink.
• Once finished, flip the waistband and adjust it to fit your waist as you wear the skirt.

Fold the hem of the flared skirt. Before sewing the hem, you'll need to fold the fabric inward. Fold about 1.2 cm along the edge of the skirt. You can pin the fold in place to ensure an even hem, or you can fold as you sew.

• Alternatively, use a basting stitch to mark the hem. You can sew the basting stitch about 1.2 cm from the edge and use it as a guide for folding and stitching the hem. Once done, you can remove the basting stitch or fold the fabric again and sew over it.
• For a more polished look, you can add a ribbon to the inner hem of the skirt. Then, fold the ribbon inward and sew again. The ribbon will help shape and add volume to the flared skirt.

Sew the skirt hem. Sew the hem using a regular stitch. Be sure that the edges are even all the way around the skirt. If you're worried about mistakes, you can baste the hem first, and then sew with a regular stitch once you're happy with the result.

• Sewing a curved hem can be tricky, so take your time and be patient.
• Iron the edges before sewing. You can press the hem flat before stitching, which will help prevent wrinkles and uneven edges.

Cut off excess threads and wear the skirt. After finishing the hem, trim any loose threads along the hem and waistband. Now, your new flared skirt is ready to wear! This style can be paired in many ways, so feel free to explore.

• Pair the flared skirt with a fitted t-shirt and sandals for a simple spring/summer look, or wear it with tights, a sweater, and boots for a cozy fall/winter vibe.