Elastic Waistband Skirt

Before you get started, you'll need to take some measurements and prepare your fabric. -To determine fabric yardage: measure the finished length you want your skirt to be- we did from the waist to 4" above the knee- then double that number, plus add 5" (2.5" for the elastic channel and 2.5" for the hem). -Measure your waist. -Cut elastic (use at least 1.5" wide elastic) 5" shorter than waist measurement. -Cut fabric to proper width by adding 20% of your waist measurement to both the front and back panels. *don't forget to remove selvedge edges, pre-wash, and press fabric before getting started.
-Mark folding lines with chalk, and press your waistband channel and bottom hem by folding the top and bottom of your fabric 2.5".
Now you are ready to sew your side seams! We are using french seams, but you can also clean finish your side seams with a serger or bias tape. -Start by sewing 1/4" seams with wrong sides together.
-Trim raw edges down halfway.
-Press seam open.
-Flip right sides together on the seam you just pressed open and press flat. -Sew 1/4" seams. *we used edge of presser foot (with centered needle) as a guide. -Repeat on other side seam.
-Measure and press waistband channel starting with the full 2.5", then press raw edge under 1/2". -Hold pressed fabric in place with glasshead pins, so that you can iron over them without them melting. -Prepare the bottom hem the same way you did for the waistband.
-Sew hem in place by topstiching at 1/4".
-Sew the waistband elastic channel closed by edge stitching, but leave a 2" opening to feed elastic through.
-To feed elastic through channel, stitch a piece of rigilene to the end of your elastic.
-Gradually feed elastic through channel. -When you get back to the opening, remove rigilene.
-Pull both ends of elastic through opening, and stitch/backstitch until secure. -Stitch opening closed- either by hand or machine.
-Give one last pressing to skirt and put special attention on pressing the waistband gathers flat.