How to Sew a Fat Quarter Wrap Skirt; Easy Sewing Tutorial
Learn how to sew a Fat Quarter Skirt with this free step-by-step wrap skirt tutorial from Polka Dot Chair! This fun sewing project uses only fat quarters to create a versatile, adjustable wrap skirt, perfect for showcasing favorite cotton prints and mixing and matching patterns.
The tutorial walks you through cutting panels, assembling the skirt, adding bias tape, and attaching ribbon ties to finish a stylish summer skirt that’s flexible in fit and straightforward to customize. Whether you’re new to garment sewing or looking for a quick stash-busting project, this guide provides clear instructions and sizing tips so you can make a beautiful skirt with confidence.
This skirt tutorial was created as a part of the Skirting the Issue series at Simple Simon & Co.
When Liz from Simple Simon & Co. told me about the Skirting the Issue project, she noted the need for skirts for older girls.
Since most of my previous skirt tutorials have been for young girls, I challenged myself to make a skirt for an older girl.
Note: I’ve added suggestions at the bottom of the post for adjusting the skirt size for an adult.
I developed this wrap skirt because I thought it would be flexible and would adjust easily to fit a variety of girls (since it’s a wrap). This skirt is for a size 12-14 girl or a Woman’s size 2-4. However, it’s a wrap skirt and is not intended to be an exact size, as the width can be adjusted when worn.
The skirt is made from 4 Fat Quarters and some lining yardage. Have fun mixing and matching fabric prints to create something that is entirely your own!
How to make a Wrap Skirt: a Fat Quarter Fabric Project
Equipment
supplies
- 4 Fat Quarters for the skirt
- 4 Fat Quarters or 1 yard of fabric for the lining
- 1 package double-wide bias tape
- 2 yards wide ribbon
Instructions
Step One: Cut your Fabric
- Cut each fat quarter into two pieces, each 9″ wide by 20″ tall. Before you cut, verify that you can cut two pieces from one fat quarter of fabric.
- Measure in 2″ from each upper corner of one of the 9″ sides of the piece, and place a mark at each 2″ spot.
- Draw a diagonal line from the 2″ mark on your piece to the bottom corner (on the other 9″ side). Cut along the diagonal line. Repeat on the other side. When you are done, you will have a trapezoidal piece that is 9″ across the bottom, 5″ across the top, and 20″ tall.
- Do this for all four fat quarters. At the end, you should have eight pieces.
- Using one cut piece as a guide, cut eight lining pieces from the lining fabric, then set them aside.
Step Two: Assemble the Skirt
- Stitch the two skirt pieces together along the long sides, then press the seams open. Repeat until you’ve sewn all eight pieces together.
Step Three: Sew the Skirt Lining
- Repeat the skirt construction step using the fabric lining pieces.
- Place the skirt lining and skirt, right sides together. Stitch along the two side seams and the bottom seam. Press the seams open, then turn the skirt right side out.
Step Four: Add the Ribbon Straps
- Cut your ribbon into two pieces, 24″ and 48″. Unpick about 2″ down on your skirt side seams at the top, insert the ribbon piece, and then stitch the opening closed. The 24″ piece of ribbon will be stitched to the right-most panel (the one that will show on the front), and the 48″ ribbon will be stitched on the left-most panel.
- Baste the top seam of the skirt near the edge.
Step Five: Finish the Top Edge of the Skirt
- To finish the top edge of the skirt, attach double-fold bias tape. To attach, fold the bias tape open and stitch the raw edge of the bias tape to the raw edge of the skirt.
- Fold the bias tape over and top-stitch it in place.
- To finish, stitch a buttonhole close to the seam between the 2nd and 3rd skirt panels so that you can feed the strap around the back of the skirt.
- Press well, and you’re done!
Sizing Suggestions:
- Note: these are only suggestions. I’ve not made the skirt in a larger size. If you wish to make this skirt larger, you can do one of two things:
- If you only want to make it larger, you can increase the number of panels. Instead of 8, you could do 9 or 10. Since it’s a wrap skirt, it will just fold over itself until it fits.
- If you wish to make the skirt much larger, I would suggest using each fat quarter once (or buy 2 of the same if you want to repeat fabrics) and increasing the rectangle size from 9″ x 20″ to 12″ x 20″, while still using the 2″ mark on each corner to create your trapezoid.
- If you wish to make the skirt longer, use yardage, NOT fat quarters.
