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I made a DIY tiered skirt with mixed prints in knee length, and just love it. With the light colors, it’s my go-to summer skirt.
It’s flowy and gathered, with a nice comfy elastic waistband with a flat front. It was easy to make, and easier to twill around in!
I’ll tell you about the fabrics, notions, my process, and share some photos. You might want to make one of your own.
McCall’s M8066 Skirt Pattern
McCall’s M8066 sewing pattern has an A-line shape with gathering at the waist. It is also known as Posie McCalls.
You have the option to make a tiered skirt like mine, or not. You can make a gathered skirt without tiers.
What I like about the pattern is the flat front elastic back waistband, which makes it comfortable to wear. I love these kinds of skirts because they have less bulk around the waist.
It’s also a level one in their Learn to Sew collection. So, if you already have sewing basics, you might want to tackle this skirt.
Materials
Here’s everything I used to bring this creation to life. This is a great project to use up your cottons.
Fabric
Although the sewing pattern doesn’t suggest rayon, I used it for kicks. I wouldn’t use rayon as a beginner in sewing.
It’s a bit tricky to sew because it’s a silky fabric. It tends to slide around and unravel easily.
Rayon also comes in different weights. I got my fabric from Joann, and it’s good for tops and bottoms.
The two different fabric designs I chose for the tiers are in the same color scheme. I love wearing white and off-white—just keeping them clean is another story.
If you’re a beginner, you may want to use a lighter-weight cotton woven fabric. It’s more stable than using silky types like I used.
The suggested fabrics for this sewing pattern are cotton blends, lawn, and polished cotton.
Notions
I needed a couple of notions. First, I used a 1-1/4 inch (1.25-inch) knit elastic for the waistband.
Also, I used lightweight fusible interfacing for the front waistband.
Needle
Use the correct needle when sewing your fabric. I used a size 75/11 universal needle for sewing the rayon.
If you use a cotton blend, you might use a size 80/12 universal needle. If it’s lighter weight, you might use a finer needle.
Thread
For my sewing machine, I used matching Gutermann sew-all thread made of 100% polyester.
I serged the seams using Maxi-Lock serger spun thread. It’s made of 100% polyester too.
Sewing My Skirt
Making this skirt was pretty straightforward. The most time-consuming part was gathering the tiers.
Prepping
Although I should have, I didn’t make a mockup for this skirt. Why? I always advise making them.
Well, I figured that with the elastic back waist, it would fit. When I cut the fabric, there was enough fabric in the back for me to slip on and off.
By the way, cutting rayon can be annoying, or any silky material for that matter. It’ll drape and move around on the cutting table.
I know how to work with it. But that’s another reason why I’d stick to woven fabrics for beginners.
Construction
When making a tiered skirt, it’s basically going to be layered rectangles. You’ll sew them together at the sides, or at one side.
Then you’ll gather the layers lengthwise. You can either run a basting stitch and gather, or use a serger.
I always prefer the serger because I can set it to gather. And by golly, it does an amazing job!
I still have to adjust the gathers, and this takes time. You’ll want to make sure they are distributed evenly all the way around.
I always mark the side and center points to help me with this. You don’t want the fabric to be bulky on one side or area.
Once I pin the layers in place, then I bast them. After that, I run a permanent stitch and serge the ends.
Gathering the fabric is easier if you use lightweight fabrics. So, my fabric was easy to gather.
I only had 2 layers to gather for the knee-length version. You can make 3 tiers for the maxi length, or no tiers at all.
When sewing the elastic waistband, it might be a little tricky. It doesn’t go all the way around, so you’ll secure it at the waist side seams.
Adjustments
This skirt doesn’t have pockets. I have sewn similar patterns that have them.
Maybe they left them out because this is a level one sewing pattern. I didn’t add pockets this time, but this will be a future adjustment.
Also, I added a lining to my skirt because the fabric is rayon. It is light-colored and lightweight.
I lined the skirt because the fabric is rayon. It is light-colored and lightweight.
Without a lining, it was see-through. And I wasn’t going for the sheer look.
I used lightweight polyester to make a lining because I had some in my stash. Plus, I needed something opaque.
Given it’s a rayon skirt, I preferred to line it in a similar fabric. When I looked around and ordered swatches from fabric stores, nothing was opaque enough.
Project Notes
If you can see through the fabric of your skirt, you may consider adding a lining. This pattern, like many others, doesn’t explain how to do this.
If you add one, cut the skirt front and back in the lining fabric. Use the length of the finished skirt minus one inch.
If you’re making a tiered skirt, you don’t need to make tiers for the lining. If you do, it’ll be bulky.
Then, sew the lining together at the side seams. I finish the bottoms with a lingerie stitch with my serger. You could use a rolled hem or zig-zag.
After sewing the skirt together, baste the lining to the inside of the skirt top. Then, gather both at the top before sewing to the waistband.
Final Thoughts
I like how pretty my skirt turned out. And the length is perfect for those hot summer days.
I plan to make another, but in some other colors. Because I’m lucky to go through the day without getting at least one stain on this skirt!
More Sewing Projects
I have many more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- I’m wearing my T-shirt that goes with my skirt. Do you like making a knot in yours too?
- I hacked a regular pattern into a flat front elastic back waist skirt and show you how.
- I upcycled linen pants into a new wrap skirt and put elastic in the back waist.
- Would you like to make a fun and easy sock-hop costume?
I’d love to hear about the sewing projects you’re working on!
Originally published: August 12, 2024
