For such a simple clothing item, a paper bag skirt can be quite elegant. To elevate this humble skirt, sew clean lines and choose a quality fabric. The fabric I used is a linen and rayon blend; I like the crisp feel of linen and drape of the rayon. You could also use silk chiffon underlined with silk crepe.
You will need:
-a large rectangle of fabric. It needs to wrap around your hips with room to spare and be about 5 inches longer than the finished length of the skirt.
-coordinating thread
-1/2 inch elastic band, measuring the circumference of your natural waist
-sewing tools: sewing machine, scissors, iron and board, measuring tape, and pins.
Sew the side seam with one of these seams. Below you see a flat felled seam.
The Waist:
Press a 5/8 inch fold all the way around.
Fold again and press a 2 inch fold.
Sew 1 inch from the top (completely around).
Sew 1/8 inch away from the bottom fold and leave a 1/2 inch opening to insert the elastic.
Slip a safety pin on one side of the elastic and feed it through the casing. Make sure it doesn’t twist.
Stitch the ends of the elastic together securely. Pull the elastic inside the casing and stitch the opening closed.
Evenly space out the gathers by stretching the waistband. Optionally, you can stitch the elastic into place at each hip. This helps prevent any major twisting in the future.
The waist is complete!
The Hem:
Press a 1 inch fold at the hem. I like having the extra fabric within the hem for medium weight fabrics. It gives it a nice weight. You can turn less if you want to.
Press another 1 inch fold.
Sew 1/8 inch away from the inside fold. Trim the threads and iron the body of the skirt. It is ready to wear!
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