origami skirt

(this post was originally published 19 april, 2005, with the title "wearable origami".)

i'm taking a break from all the opera talk for a bit, to post a project that ANYBODY can do.  in fact, it would make a perfect beginner's project.

this is one of my favorite skirts, it is simple and comfortable, but not so plain as an ordinary pull-on skirt. and the beauty of it is that i whipped it up in 30 minutes while ella took a nap (click on the photo for an enlarged view):

from the back, you can see that the skirt hem is level, you can barely see the tail hanging in front (click to enlarge):

the side of the skirt doesn't start to drop until it gets close to the edge it was sewn to (click to enlarge):

AND you don't need a pattern, you only need two measurements:  your waist, and the length you want the skirt to be at center back.  there is only one seam to this skirt, plus a waistband.

i made my skirt in striped fabric to bring out the lines of the drape, but any soft stretchy fabric will do.  you can cut it on the lengthwise or crosswise grain, you choose depending on the measurements of your skirt.  if it will fit crosswise, and the design of the fabric will look well in that orientation, you won't need as much fabric.

measure your waist wherever you want to wear your skirt--i choose to wear this one lower than my natural waist.  add a little ease to that measurement so you will have room to pull the skirt over you hips.  also measure how long you want the skirt to be at the center back.

cut your fabric as follows, and sew accordingly (click to enlarge):

note that you can put the drape on the left or right, it is your choice, you change it by simply sewing the short edge to the end of the other long edge.

at this point, something won't look right--the waist will be teardrop shaped--ignore that.  :)  to make the waistband, choose your elastic, then cut your waistband strip twice that wide + seam allowances.  the length is your waist + ease + seam allowances.  fold the strip in half lengthwise, and stitch it onto the waist of the skirt, leaving an opening to insert your elastic.  thread elastic thru, and try the skirt on to adjust the tightness.  when i'm making this kind of waistband, i pin my elastic and wear the garment around for a while to make sure i didn't get it too tight or too loose.  (yes, i just trail the long tail of elastic around, my cats love it).  when i'm satisfied, i stitch the elastic, cut the excess, and close the waistband.

i didn't even hem this skirt!  the fabric doesn't ravel, so i left it.  but if your fabric needs a hem, i recommend you hem it BEFORE stitching the edges together, because hemming the point can be tricky.

i'm going to be working on a SWAP wardrobe soon, and i think this skirt design will be the basis for my plan.