How to Make a Tiered Skirt with a Pattern from the Stash

01 Aug How to Make a Tiered Skirt with a Pattern from the Stash

My new skirt and I only wish we were meandering around this Amalfi Coast lemon grove. I’m always inspired by La Double J’s fabulous clothes both on the company website and TheRealReal …. Combined with its motto… Live Like an Italian….I’m often ready to buy a house under the Tuscan sun when browsing the site!  Maybe one day 😊😊

Greeting from sunny South Carolina!

Tiers, tiers, tiers! It’s practically all I’ve wanted to sew this summer.  I wore many styles of maxi skirts in my early 20s, but had a difficut time embracing their return. Now I’m completely onboard as long as I can control the fit!

Can Anyone Wear a Maxi Skirt?

Anyone can wear a maxi skirt as long as the skirt is well-proportioned and fits correctly.

Below are 12  tiered maxis from $40 – $1,500. Do any strike your fancy?

If you are thin or have flat abs you will look great with gathers around your waist, but a tiered maxi skirt with fitted yoke can be worn by several shapes and sizes.

If I wear gathers around my waist I look shorter, wider and heavier. The skirt with the shorter fitted yoke is the most flattering for me.

Use an existing pattern to make a tiered maxi!

Making a tiered skirt is extremely easy to do by using a pattern from one’s stash.

YOU WILL NEED:

•  A simple skirt pattern such as an A-line.
• 3 yards of 54 – 55″ fabric. My fabric is a pale yellow cotton poplin from Mood Fabrics.
• 1/3 yard of lining for the yoke
• A 7 – 9″ invisible zipper
• Tracing paper
• Interfacing if you are making a waistband

1. I began with the New Look pattern which I’ve made many times. ( Examples here and here ) Using tracing paper I created a yoke 8″ long. ( I began with a 9″ yoke but it was too long for me.) The finished length was 7″ after allowing for 1/2″ seams.
2. Cut yoke pieces. You will have 6 in all. Two front and four back pieces. The duplicates are for the lining. I chose to line my yoke with the skirt fabric, but you may prefer a traditional lining fabric depending on your fabric choice.
3. Cut the tiers. I based the width of the tiers on the Brochu Walker dress. For the first tier I cut 2 pieces 11.5 x 31 inches. For the second tier I cut 2 pieces 15 x 52″.
4. Sew the yoke pieces together for the skirt and the lining by attaching the sides to the front. Press seams open.
5. Insert and invisible zipper in the back seam of the yoke
6. Sew the 11.5 x 31″ pieces together at the sides and finish the seams. Run a gathering stitch around the top. I broke the gathering stitches at the side seams
7. Sew the 15 x 52″ pieces together at the sides and finish the seams. Run a gathering stitch around the top. I broke the gathering stitches at the side seams.
8. Attach the upper tier to the yoke. Finish the seam.
9. Next attach the lower tier. Finish the seam.
10. Attach the lining to the top of the yoke. Understitch around the seam. Press under 1/2″ of the lower edge of the lining and hand stitch to the seam allowance of the zipper and the  first tier.
11. Hem the skirt and enjoy!

I had just enough fabric left over to make a sash but you don’t need one.

Will I Look Frumpy in a Long Tiered Skirt?

A tiered maxi skirt is not frumpy! It’s all about balance, fit, proportion and what you wear with it. I can picture this skirt with a cropped sweater set, a traditional sweater set, a wrap top, a fitted tee, a loose shorter tee, a short blouse on the outside, a mock sleeveless turtleneck and a tucked in blouse with a sash or belt.

Tiered maxis can be worn with flats, wedges, sneakers, sandals and heels.

Fresh styling choices are unlimited and I encourage you to give this blast from the past a try! It’s always a good idea to make a muslin to ensure a great fit😉

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All the best!

Up Next: Making the Cut