DIY Rectangle Ruffle Skirt Tutorial
This is an updated tutorial for the Rectangle Ruffle Skirt, a DIY tutorial I shared originally in July 2018. Watch the Tiktok tutorial here.
Please Note:
This sewing pattern tutorial is for personal, non-commercial use only and no part of this post may be reproduced, transmitted, or shared in any form. Please do not produce items with this pattern and tutorial for resale.
This skirt is such a go-to in my me-made wardrobe and Im sure you will feel the same way! Make a mini version, add an extra ruffle or use this technique to make a 3 tiered ruffle skirt. If you give this DIY a try, use the hashtag #rectangleruffleskirt and tag me @_diydaisy so I can reshare your fabulous creation!
How to make a Rectangle Ruffle Skirt:
You Will Need:
Fabric
Scissors
Matching Thread
Sewing Machine
Iron & Ironing Board
1-2 inch wide elastic
Safety Pin
Fabric Requirement Suggestion:
Australian Size 8 - 14 = 1.5m - 2m
Australian Size 16 - 24 = 2m - 2.5m
Pattern Cutting Layout:
Here are 2 pattern cutting layouts to help you visualise how to cut the rectangles required to make this skirt. The first layout is the one I typically use, working with fabric that is 136cm wide. This layout produces little to no waste and the resulting skirt can fit a size 6 - 16.
The second layout can be used If you would like your skirt to be more fitted, you fall outside of the size range mentioned above or have a narrower fabric. This layout also includes a third ruffle for when you need more ruffle (the width of the Skirt Rectangle cannot be doubled within the width of the fabric as per formula below). Use the formulas below to find your rectangle dimensions.
Skirt Rectangle:
Width = Hips + 20cm / 2 (My Measurments - 106cm + 20cm / 2 = 63cm)
Height = Measure from your waist to the top of your knee. (My Measurements: 60cm)
Ruffles:
Skirt Rectangle Width x 2
The ruffles can be as long or short as you’d like, I usually cut my ruffles to be 40cm high. The width can be found by doubling the width of the Skirt Rectangle.
Method:
Step 1.
Place the Skirt Front & Back rectangles together with the right sides facing and sew up the side seams with a straight stitch. I will refer to this now as the Skirt Tube.
Step 2.
Lay the ruffle pieces on top of each other right sides facing and sew up both sides to make a big loop. This is now the Ruffle Loop.
Step 3.
Gather the top edge of the ruffle loop.
Learn how to gather here.
Step 4.
Spread ruffles evenly, pin to the bottom of the skirt loop and attach by sewing a straight stitch all the way around.
Step 5.
Make a casing for elastic by doing a double fold at the top of the Skirt Tube. Learn how to make a casing here.
Step 6.
Thread the elastic through the casing using a safety pin, sew the ends of the elastic together and close up the casing. Hem, press and try on your beautiful new creation!
