Free Scalloped Skirt Pattern

Pattern Description:

This step-by-step tutorial guides the sewer in creating an adorable Paper Bag Waisted Scalloped Skirt.

Construction begins by cutting two rectangular fabric pieces based on hip and desired length measurements, plus seam allowance and ease.

The skirt features a meticulous scalloped hem drawn using a French Curve Ruler and an elastic casing waistband.

Fabric Pieces: Cut out two rectangular pieces of fabric.
- Width of fabric: Your hip measurement plus 5 inches for wearing ease. (For example, if the hips measure 40 inches, the width should be 45 inches).
- Length of skirt: Your desired length plus an additional 4 inches to accommodate the waistband and hem.
Elastic Measurement: Measure your waist and subtract 3 inches.
Scallop Sizing: Measure the length of the entire hem. Divide the hem length by the desired number of scallops to determine the spacing.
- Note: The sides of the fabric are curved in starting from the hips up to 4 inches below the top of the skirt, but the very top must be kept straight up and down so that the casing can be folded without stretching.

Before starting, measure your waist and the widest part of your hips and record both measurements.

Cut out two rectangular pieces of fabric. The width of the fabric should be your hip measurement plus 5 inches for wearing ease. For example, if the hips measure 40 inches, the width should be 45 inches.
The length of the skirt should be your desired length plus an additional 4 inches to accommodate the waistband and hem.
Curve in the sides of the fabric, starting from the hips up to 4 inches below the top of the skirt.
It is essential to keep the very top of the skirt straight up and down so that the casing can be folded without stretching.

With the right sides of the two pieces of fabric together, sew the front and back of the skirt using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Finish the side seams and the hem using either a serger or a zig-zag stitch.

Measure the length of the entire hem once the skirt is sewn. For example, if the skirt measured 43 inches after sewing.
Decide on the desired number of scallops.
Divide the hem length by the number of scallops to determine the spacing (e.g., 43 inches divided by 16 equals 2.6 inches).
Draw a rectangle template using a ruler.
Divide this rectangle into four equal sections, and then divide those equal sections in half.
Use a French Curve Ruler to draw the scallops. Draw one side of the scallop, then flip the ruler over to create the other side.
Cut around the template, leaving a bit of extra paper on the edge without the scallops.
With the skirt right side out (this may seem backward, but it is correct), turn up the hem 2 inches around the entire skirt and press with a hot iron.
Trace the scallops: Line up the straight edge of the template a half inch below the serged edge of the skirt and trace around the template.
After tracing the first four scallops, reposition the template until the entire hem of the skirt has been traced.
Use a dark marking pen (like the Cricut Fabric Pen) so that you can clearly see the markings while sewing.

Start at the tip of the scallop with a 1.4 stitch length and slowly stitch around the curve.
When you reach the point, lower the needle to the down position, raise the presser foot, and turn the fabric so the presser foot is facing the new direction of the scallop.
Once all the scallops have been sewn, trim around each curve. Cut close to the point of each scallop but ensure you do not cut through the point. This step allows the scallops to be turned right side out smoothly.
Turn the scallops right side out.
Using a rounded pressing tool, gently push out the seam allowance of each scallop to create a rounded curve.
Fold back the edge of the scallop.
Use Thermoweb Soft Stretch Lite Hem Tape to adhere the hem to the skirt.

With the skirt wrong side out, turn down the top of the skirt 1/2 inch and press.
Turn the waist of the skirt down an additional 2 inches and press again.
Stitch along the top of the waist, 3/8ths of an inch from the edge, to create a paper bag waistband.
Stitch 1/4th inch from the bottom edge of the waist to create a casing for the elastic. Leave a 2-inch opening through which to thread the elastic.
Measure your waist and subtract 3 inches; this will be your elastic measurement.
Thread the $1\ 1/4$ inch elastic through the casing until it reaches the starting point.
Pull both ends out, confirming the elastic has not twisted, and overlap them by 1 inch.
Sew over the overlapped elastic using a zig-zag stitch.
Redistribute the elastic throughout the casing.
Sew over the 2-inch opening to secure the casing.