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How to Make a Flared Skirt

Flared skirts are more form-fitting than their standard counterparts which is one reason they are popular. Whether you are making this skirt to wear at a cocktail party or for everyday office attire, you can save a significant amount of money by making it at home rather than purchasing it from a department store. You don't need a store-bought pattern to sew a flared skirt either, you can make a simple and comprehensive pattern just by taking some measurements and drawing lines onto the fabric with chalk or a pencil.

Things You'll Need

Chalk or pencil
Tape measure
Sewing machine
Hand sewing needle
Thread
Zipper
Facing tape
Pushpins

Instructions

- 1
  Measure around the waist and add 5 inches to the measurement for seam allowance. For a four-paneled skirt, divide this measurement by four to determine the measurement for each pattern section. Start drawing the pattern sections onto the fabric using this measurement for the waistline.
- 2
  Measure the length you want the skirt to be -- most flared skirts end three inches above the knee. Add another 3 inches to this measurement for the hem allowance.
- 3
  Measure the full-length measurement down from the ends of the waistline sections and draw a mark. Add 1 inch to the width on each side of the hem on each panel and make a mark to show the measurement. This will give the skirt a slight flare.
- 4
  Draw the side, front and back seams at a 60 degree angle from the waistline to the marks at the ends of the hem. Machine stitch the back seam together. Sew a zipper in between the top of the center back seam.
- 5
  Machine stitch down the center front seam and the side seams. Lay facing tape around the top edge of the skirt on the "right side" of the fabric. Measure 5/8 of an inch down from the top edge of the fabric and sew the facing tape down at this point around the entire waist.
- 6
  Fold the facing tape under so it is against the underside of the fabric. Understitch the facing tape so it lays flat. Turn your bottom hem in, 1/4 of an inch, and stitch. Fold it up another 2-3/4 inches and pin in in place. Hand stitch the hem.

Sewing