Hello and welcome to my second skirt tutorial. I would say this one is also fairly beginner friendly and easy but make sure to read all the instructions so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
I made this tiered skirt out of an old duvet cover. The duvet cover had these beautiful embroidered butterflies that add the perfect fairycore touch to this skirt. For those who are wondering why the skirt in the final photos is darker than the skirt in the photo instructions, it’s because I wanted the skirt to be a darker green so I dyed it again. Yes, I know I am too much of a perfectionist.
If you would like your skirt to be a proper maxi length I would suggest making it longer than I did, but, of course, that depends on your own height. And you can always make the tiers more gathered, but then you will need loads more fabric. I tried to make sure that each skirt tier was 1.5 times the width of the previous tier. You can make your tiers wider for more fairycore flair but I think 1.5 is a good minimum to aim for. Another thing is that I wish I made my skirt wider from the beginning as a skirt with pockets that is tighter around the hips will make it more difficult to use said pockets. But that’s enough from me, onto the tutorial we go!
You will need:
- 2 by 2m/2.2 by 2.2 yards of fabric (this was the size of the duvet cover I used)
- Thread that matches your fabric
- Fusible interfacing for the waistband
- 2.5cm/1 inch wide elastic
- Thin ribbon about 50cm/19.7 inches long for the hanging loops (optional)
Cutting out the fabric pieces
So, first things first: my hips are 89cm so I added 5cm/2 inches for seam allowance and so the skirt will fit over my hips. I want my midi/maxi skirt to be about 84cm long so each of the 4 tiers will be 23cm wide (I added 2cm for seam allowance).
- Waistband: 94 by 7.5cm/37 by 3 inches (double the elastic width and add 2.5cm/1 inch for seam allowance and ease)
- Tier 1: 2 pieces each 47 by 23cm/18.5 by 9.1 inches
- Tier 2: 2 pieces each 72 by 23cm/28.3 by 9.1 inches
- Tier 3: 3 pieces each 72 by 23cm/28.3 by 9.1 inches
- Tier 4: 2 pieces each 200 by 23cm/78.7 by 9.1 inches
- 4 pocket pieces (optional) refer to the labelled image below as a guide for the dimensions and shape please note that the pocket is folded in half along the bottom
- 50cm/19.7 inches of thin ribbon so you can hang up the skirt (optional)
- 4cm/1.6 inch wide strips of fabric for binding to finish the seams (optional)
How to Sew a Tiered Maxi Skirt
How to Sew the Pockets
First things first, if you prefer your pockets to be more hidden in the slip style you can find a tutorial here. However, if you are feeling adventurous, I would greatly encourage you to try out this style of pockets. In this method the waistband supports the pockets so that they don’t put strain on the side seams. But, as always, it’s totally up to you!
Step 1
Sew the diagonal pocket opening to one of the Tier 1 skirt pieces right sides together with 0.5cm/0.2 inch seam allowance. Trim off each of the top corners of the skirt pieces as shown below.
Step 2
Iron/press the wrong sides of the skirt piece and the pocket together and then sew along the inside edge of the pocket opening as shown below.
Step 3
Fold each of the pocket pieces and sew together on the sides with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance.
Step 4
How to finish off seams with binding
This is optional but for this project I chose to finish my seams with binding rather than use zig zag stitching. Before you ask, no I do not have an overlocker. If you choose to do binding just refer back to this step after sewing each seam of the tiered maxi skirt.
So when I sew a seam I also sew the binding at the same time, making sure that the right side of the binding is touching the wrong side of the fabric.
After sewing the seam I then press and fold the binding around the seam, as shown in the photo below. Then I sew along the edge to secure it.
How to Sew the Gathered Skirt Tiers
Step 1
Sew the skirt piece with pockets to the other Tier 1 skirt piece right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Make sure to angle the pockets towards the centre of the skirt as shown in the image below. You can finish off the seams however you prefer.
Step 2 – sewing the waistband
As always, so far at least, I sew my waistbands all in the same way and you can find the instructions in the patchwork pants tutorial.
Step 3
Sew the Tier 2 skirt pieces right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. You can finish off the seams however you prefer. Repeat for Tiers 3 and 4. If you choose to do binding, then leave about 1cm/0.4 inch of the Tier 4 seams unfinished so that your hem doesn’t get too bulky.
Step 4
Sew two parallel rows of stitches on the longest stitch length your machine can do along the top of all the skirt tiers. Make sure that you don’t backtack or sew over the seams or else it could become tricky to gather.
Gather each of the skirt tiers so that they can fit to the tier above them.
Step 5
Sew Tier 2 to Tier 1 right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Then join Tier 3 to Tier 2, and then Tier 4 to Tier 3. You can finish off the seams however you prefer.
Step 6
Sew the hem for the skirt by folding over 0.5cm/0.2 inch and sewing it down. Then fold over another 0.5cm/0.2 inch and sew it so that all the raw edges are hidden. And your tiered maxi skirt is complete!
More Free Fairycore Sewing Tutorials
If you are looking for another easy(ish) project with fairycore vibes check out another one of my free sewing patterns, a maxi dress with French seams, pockets, as well as elasticated straps and a waistband. For a simpler free sewing tutorial, there is my mini slip dress with adjustable tie straps.
Or, if you would like to make another easy skirt there’s always my simple half circle skirt tutorial.
And if skirts and dresses are too feminine for you, there’s always these simple shorts with pockets, or my patchwork pants tutorial, and the summery fairycore trousers with ribbon side ties!
A sewing project that’s quick and easy but also fits the whimsical fairycore vibe is scrunchies. And I have tutorials for 2 variations: a simple scrunchie and a ruffle scrunchie.
Fairycore Flower Bag Crochet Pattern
If you are also into crochet may I recommend this fairycore crochet: a flower-shaped tote/shoulder bag? Every purchase helps me keep this blog up and running so I can create more free sewing patterns or crochet tutorials for you!
DIY not AI
Last but not least, if you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the magical portal, AKA link, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity.
Lots of love,
Maria