Tiny Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

Thankfully, despite the influence of four older brothers, Rachel still likes to dress like a girly girl. So ruffles are a must! I love sewing skirts because not only are they stinking cute, they are easy to sew. I came up with a pattern for this tiny ruffle skirt after seeing something similar in a nearby shop. It was so easy that I actually whipped up two of them, and you can see the other skirt at the bottom of the post. She loves both of them!

Disclaimer: This skirt fits Rachel, and she is three. I have included additional sizes, but I had to guesstimate based on measurements I found on other patterns I have. Feel free to adjust the length and waistband to fit the lucky girl who will be wearing one of your handmade skirts!

Tiny Ruffle Skirt Tutorial

Supplies for a size 3-4 skirt
-1/3 yard of fabric for top of skirt
-3/4 yard for bottom of skirt
-1/3 yard of fabric for ruffle
-3/4″ wide elastic
-thread, scissors, pins, needles, crochet thread, safety pin, iron

Instructions:
Prewash, dry, and iron your fabric, then cut out all the pieces.

*For size 3-4:
Skirt top: 5” x 32″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces 8” x 27″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces 4” x 27″ each
16″ long piece of 3/4″ wide elastic for waistband
(for more sizes, scroll to the bottom of the post)
*If you would like a shorter or longer skirt, you can adjust the length as desired by changing the numbers in italics.

Place the two skirt bottom pieces right sides together. Pin down one of the short edges and sew together with a 1/2″ seam.
Press the seam open.
Now hem the bottom edge of the skirt. Fold the edge in about 1/4″, and press all the way across. Then fold it over another 1/4″ and press again.
Stitch all the way across, staying close to the inner folded edge.
Place the ruffle strips right side together and sew down the short side. Press the seam open.
Fold the ruffle strip in half wrong sides together and press.
Now sew a gathering stitch along the raw edge of the ruffle piece and the top edge of the skirt bottom. To use my favorite method, you can check out my Ruffle Tutorial.
Match up the gathered edge of the ruffle to the bottom edge of the skirt top piece (right sides together.)  Gather to fit, then pin and sew a basting stitch across the whole thing.
Match the gathered edge of the skirt bottom to the bottom edge of the ruffle/skirt top piece, right sides together. Gather to fit, then pin and sew together using a 1/2″ seam.
Finish off the raw edges of all the fabric with a serger, pinking shears, or a zig-zag stitch. Press the ruffle toward the lower skirt piece.
Topstitch along the edge above the ruffle.
Sew up the side seam of the skirt, using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Press seam open.
To add the elastic waistband, fold the top of the skirt over about 1/4″ and press down. Fold the fabric over an inch, and press again with a hot iron.
Sew a running stitch along the bottom folded edge, leaving a 1-2 inch opening at the side seam.
Attach a safety pin to the edge of your elastic. Use it to feed the elastic through the opening. (Don’t let the other end slip into the hole!)
When you get the elastic all the way around, pull it through the opening. Remove the safety pin and sew the two ends of the elastic together using a zig-zag stitch. I like to do two rows to make sure it is secure.
Now pull the elastic back through the opening and sew the gap closed. (Make sure you don’t sew through the elastic.)
Now all you have to do is turn it right side out. Cute, right?

For a different look, I decided to make a skirt with the tiny ruffle in a different color. I actually think I like it better. 🙂

Additional sizes:
-Remember that these sizes are just guidelines that I wrote up for you, I haven’t made skirts in these sizes yet! It’s best to sew the skirt to fit the girl, and adjust the length and waistband to fit. Also, you may need to buy more fabric for the larger sizes.

Size 5-6

Skirt top: 6 ” x 34″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces 12″ x 29″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces 4 1/2” x 29″ each
17″ long piece of 3/4″ wide elastic for waistband

Size 6-7
Skirt top: 7” x 34″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces 14” x 30″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces 4 1/2 x 30″ each
18 1/2″ long piece of 3/4″ wide elastic for waistband

Size 8-9
Skirt top: 7″ x 35″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces 16″ x 31″
Ruffle: 2 pieces 4 1/2″ x 31″
20″ long piece of 3/4″ wide elastic for waistband