Tiered Skirt Tutorial

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I mentioned, a few posts ago, how I had forgotten how cute the tiered skirt is.  I think it gives you a lot of bang for what looks like more work than it is.  It's really not much more work that a simple, one-piece-of-fabric skirt, but it has a lot more flair. 

I had this yummy kelly green denim that I decided to use because, oh my goodness, I went outside with ONLY a t-shirt and pants on today... and I didn't freeze.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say I was COMFORTABLE.  If you live in some place like California, this isn't a big deal.  If you live in the Chicagoland area, though, you're with me... right?  But anyway, the kelly green made me think of the grass and flowers that are going to actually start appearing soon, and I went with it.  Plus, it's a nice weight for our getting-warmer-but-not-quite-hot weather.  However, you can pretty much use whatever you choose.  And you can mix up the prints.  And you can add more tiers or make them different widths.  Oh, the possibilities!! 

Materials:
About 1/2 yard fabric (more or less, depending on the size you want) for a 3/4T
1/2 inch elastic
Basic sewing get-up

Instructions:

One note, before we begin.  You'll see I used brown thread on my green fabric.  It actually won't show, except where you stitch your waistband and hem, but use a coordinating thread.  It's better.  I wanted you to be able to see my stitching, though, so brown worked well. :)

Now for real... Instructions, Take 2:
Cut your fabric into strips for your tiers. 

There's no exact science to this, but here's how I cut mine-- they're each 5 inches wide and the following lengths:
First tier: waist measurement + 12 inches
Second tier: waist measurement + 20 inches
Third tier: waist measurement + 28 inches

Also cut a strip that is the same length of the first tier (w+12 inches) but only 2 inches wide (not shown).

Run a gathering stitch along the top edge of your third (bottom) tier.  Gather until it matches the length of your second tier.

Stitch second and third tiers, right sides together.  Finish with a zig-zag stitch.

Run a gathering stitch through the top of your second tier.  Gather until it measures up to your top tier.  Once again, stitch them together and finish with a zig-zag.

Now (with NO gathering... whew) stitch your waistband (2 inch wide strip) to the top of your top tier, right sides together.

Didn't take a picture, but now your sew the short sides of the whole kit and caboodle together.  (So... through all four strips.)

Fold the top of your waistband down 1/4 inch and press.

Then fold the waistband down at the seam.  I tried to show you that that's where the top tier and waistband piece meet, in case you're wondering what I'm doing in the picture.  Press that, too, just for good measure.

Then sew close to the edge, leaving a 1-inch opening.  Using a safety pin, thread your elastic through. 

 
Close up the opening, hem the bottom, and you're done! 

 

Feel free to dig in the dirt that will soon be yielding flowers!  After a long winter, you deserve it! :)