Take your measurements before you buy fabric so you’ll know how much material to purchase. To take your measurements, use a fabric tape measure, or wrap a piece of string or ribbon around yourself, then measure that. Don’t use a regular tape measure, as it isn’t flexible enough to wrap closely around your body. [1] X Expert Source Mia DanilowiczMaster Tailor Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
When you’re choosing a pattern, decide what style of mini-skirt you want, such as an A-line, wrap, or circle skirt. [2] X Expert Source Mia DanilowiczMaster Tailor Expert Interview. 8 January 2021. Many patterns also come with suggestions for the types of fabric and thread that would work for the project, so it’s a good idea to buy the pattern and check those out first before buying your other materials. You can also use a skirt you already have, then copy the pattern and design from that. [3] X Expert Source Mia DanilowiczMaster Tailor Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
Cut the pattern to your measurements. [5] X Expert Source Mia DanilowiczMaster Tailor Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
This is a good point to carefully try on the skirt (you can keep it inside out). If it needs to be smaller at any point, take it in by stitching parallel to the inside of your previous line of stitching.
Note that different materials are harder to cut and sew. Denim or corduroy skirts might be more difficult, requiring sharper scissors and/or thicker needles. Find thread that matches the most prominent color in your skirt so that it blends into the fabric.
Add another half an inch to your measurement. This accounts for the hemming that you will complete later. When in doubt, cut less. You can’t get fabric back once you’ve cut it, so cut off less than you think and then try it on. You can hem it up to exactly the right length afterwards.
To help you cut straight, make several measurement marks as you did in the previous step all the way around the skirt to ensure that it will be the same length everywhere.
If you want the skirt to be slightly shorter than where you cut it, your hem can be larger—an inch or more. Fold the amount you want it to be shorter underneath and then pin it in place.
To do a hem stitch, insert the needle into the hem and then through a tiny section in the main skirt, just above the hem (this shows just a tiny dot of thread on the outside of the skirt). Pull the thread through, firmly but gently. Then, insert the needle into the underside of the folded hem and pull it through to the top. Repeat this stitch all the way around the hem, with even spacing between each “dot. ”[7] X Research source
