Many people ask me about the best sewing projects for beginners. While boxer shorts or track pants are common suggestions, I find them less ideal due to multiple seams and fitting challenges. Instead, I recommend starting with a skirt—specifically a wrap skirt, elastic waistband skirt, or dirndl skirt.
An elastic waist skirt is the easiest option for beginners. It requires no pattern and uses just one rectangular fabric piece. This design adapts easily to any size or shape, for women or children, and can be made in any length from above-knee to maxi. Use lightweight fabric for a drapey look or cotton/heavyweight fabric for fullness. This project is perfect for beginners and offers a cute, wearable result. I’ll guide you through each simple step to create your own skirt. Let’s begin! What you’ll need: – One yard (or less for short/children’s skirts) of 60″ wide fabric – 1″ wide elastic – Seam allowance: 1/2″ Cut one rectangular fabric piece: – Width: Use the full 60″ fabric width. For plus sizes, cut two rectangles and sew sides together; for children, reduce width (e.g., 30″ for toddlers). – Length: Measure from waist to desired hem length, then add 2 1/2″ for casing and hem. Fold the rectangle lengthwise with right sides together, aligning raw edges. Sew 1/2″ from the edge and press the seam open to form a fabric tube. Create the elastic casing at the top edge: – Fold over the top by 1/2″ and press. – Fold again by about 1 1/8″ to enclose the raw edge, press, and pin in place. – Sew near the inner folded edge, leaving a 2″ gap near the side seam for elastic insertion. Cut the elastic: – Measure your natural waist and subtract 2-3 inches for the elastic length. Attach a safety pin to one elastic end and thread it through the casing via the gap. Pull it around until it exits the opening. Overlap the elastic ends by 1″ and sew together with a zigzag stitch.Let the elastic slide back into the casing. Stretch the waist a bit and sew the 2-inch gap closed, enclosing the elastic in the casing.
Now it’s time to hem! Along the bottom edge, turn in the raw edge by 1/2 inch and press. Turn under again by another 1/2 inch, enclosing the raw edge. Press and pin. Sew just under 1/2 inch from the edge, all the way around. And now it’s finished! For my toddler above-the-knee version, I cut a 33-inch wide by 14-inch long rectangle and used the same exact steps. Easy, right?! So simple, and so cute!