The Curtain Skirt: DIY

Do you keep a list of all the projects you’d like to do?

Something from my project-in-waiting list was this ‘curtain skirt’, made from what I think is a curtain fabric sample, found at a charity shop!

This post is a bit of a half-tutorial. The method for making this is really similar to my Swishy Maxi Skirt DIY. I don't want to bore you by repeating myself, so if you’re interested in the how-to, go here and read to the end of step 6!
Then come back for how to finish up to make this skirt.

Create pleats in the top of your skirt, to bring it to your waist size. I made all the pleats face in the same direction, and each was about 1.5” wide.

Pin, and sew just the pleats.

The maxi skirt tutorial involves sewing on the entire waistband in one go, BUT with the curtain skirt, you’ll need to sew the waistband to the inside of the skirt first.

Pin and sew right side of the waistband to the inside top edge of the skirt, making sure one end sits just over the skirt fastening.

(Sorry, I didn’t get a picture of this.)

Fold the waistband over to the outside of the skirt, tucking the raw edge underneath and pinning. Sew together.

*I pinned the outside edge of the waistband a little below where the waistband was sewn to the inside of the skirt.

Why?
Curtain fabric tends to be thicker than your average dressmaking fabric. Experience has taught me that multiple layers of such mean broken needles (scary!)

Pinning this way does make a slightly thinner waistband, but it also means your sewing machine is happier with you!

Sew up the edges of the overlapping end of the waistband, add a snap fastening and a decorative button if you so desire!

*I hand-stitched the ends of the waistband as I didn’t want to accidentally sew through any zipper teeth!

Hem your skirt. I have no pictures of this stage with this skirt, because the fabric came ready-hemmed. Hooray!

 

I’m thinking of all kinds of ways to style this skirt up, right through into winter. It will be a skirt for all seasons!

Hairclip: handmade, top: bootfair, belt: Primark, necklace: handmade,
skirt: handmade, rings: H&M

This is the second curtain skirt I’ve made. You might remember I bought another piece of curtain fabric back in February, in order to make a skirt.

I don’t think I ever posted a picture of the finished piece, so here it is!

(Yep, I love my cheap Primark belt)

This one was made using a different method (two pieces of fabric + side zip) as I didn’t have the width of fabric I needed.

Recently I decided to hand-wash it…bad idea. Multiple holes appeared!

I spent multiple hours patching them up…

Lesson: Sponge clean only. ;)

Will be linking up to the fab parties listed below!