Kori Skirt Sew Along *added to downloads*

[Kori]

Please understand, these are very amateur directions. I pretty much measured my favorite Urban Outfitters skirt, added seam allowances and figured how to make it...my way. You may know a better way to do it. Here goes.

The skirt in the photos was made for my 10 year old sister who is super tall and wears a size 12.

I'll add my measurements to the end for reference to those who may be a similar size to me. I didn't want her skirt as tight on her hips (since she's a preteen and thin) as I wanted mine. Her measurements are waist 25" and hips 30.5". Remember knits vary and the stretchier the knit the smaller you cut the width. I think this was a stretchy jersey with some lycra. If it was something like baby nay rib knit I would have taken at least an inch off the width of my cuts. For her size I cut the following pieces (width measurement is first) ~

Waist band - 24" X 12" (cut 1)
First Tier - 16" X 5" (cut 2)
Second Tier 24" X 9" (cut 2)
Third Tier 34" X 9" (cut 2)

Here's a pic of the 3 tiers, didn't take one of the waist band.

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a13.jpg

After cutting out all of the fabric I cut out the lastin I use to gather with. At this time you'll gather the bottom two tiers with whatever method you use so that they will be the same size as the bottom of the tier above them. Disregard the next bit if you don't use lastin.

I cut the lastin for each tier 1 inch shorter then the above tier I'm gathering it too. So for this skirt I cut two pieces of lastin at 15" each to gather the 2nd tier to attach to the first tier and two pieces at 23" each to gather the 3rd tier to attach to the second tier.

I then mark the lastin and the skirt piece in 4ths. Here's a photo of that:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a12.jpg

Next I zig zag the lastin onto the edge of the skirt panel, stretching to meet the marks. It looks like this:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a11.jpg

Here's what my lastin gathering looks like (after attaching it to the other panel, which we haven't done yet):

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a2.jpg

After gathering all 4 pieces of the bottom 2 tiers I'm ready to serge the side seams. I serge the side seams of the two bottom gathered tiers as well as the first tier which is not gathered. Serging side seams:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a8.jpg

I then serge the waistband, right sides together. After serging it I try it on to make sure it fits. You will fold the waistband as that's how it will be worn. Make sure it's snug and remember that after the skirt is attached it will be heavier and could pull down. If it doesn't seam snug enough serge again taking off another 1" or whatever is necessary. This one was perfect:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a10.jpg

Here's what all your tiers and waist band should look now:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a7.jpg

Now it's time to attach the tiers. For the waistband I stretch and pin it in quarters attaching it to the first tier. You fold the waistband in half, wrong sides together, stretch and pin it in quarters attaching to the first tier and serge. It kind of reminds me of sewing a cuff onto a shirt. I hope that makes sense. There's only one seam in the waistband and I put it in the middle of the back. It doesn't look that perfect when finished but the waist band will be folded over that seam so it doesn't concern me. Here's how it looks serging it on:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a6.jpg

Here's how it will look finished:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a5.jpg

Now it's time to attach the bottom 2 tiers, matching side seams. I pin at the side seams and then in the middle as shown:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a4.jpg

When serging with lastin gathers this is the amount I cut of and where the needles are. I let some of the lastin remain as I've found if I try to cut it all off my gathers flatten and stretch out. Serging tiers to each other:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a3.jpg

After the waistband and all tiers are attached you are almost done. I do a light rolled hem on mine with the plan that the hem will roll up. You can do whatever kind of hem you prefer. My hem:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a1.jpg

That's it! It's much easier then I'm I've made it with all these instructions. LOL You'll need to figure out your own measurements. Let me know if you need help based on your measurements and how long you want it.

The waistband folds down when worn. Here are some finished photos:

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/0a14.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/ss/skirt1.jpg


For more reference I wear a 10/12 and my measurements are waist 30", hips 40". I wear the skirt a little lower then my natural waist (a couple inches wider) and here are the pieces I cut:

waistband - 30" X 13" (cut 1)
1st tier - 20.5" X 6" (cut 2)
2nd tier - 31" X 10" (cut 2)
3rd tier - 43" X10" (cut 2)

The finished length of my skirt with the waist band folded is 25".

Here are a couple of my skirts:

http://sewingmamas.com/albums/album10/sk4.jpg

http://www.sewzannesfabrics .com/images/sewandshow/koriskirts1.jpg

PLEASE let me know if something doesn't make sense to you or if you have any questions. I found that a couple things (like the waistband) were very hard for me to explain. Have fun, can't wait to see those sew & shows! :D

[CarterNOwensMom]

Awesome sew along Kori! :yes: I need one of these :)

Great instructions. You're inspiring me to try gathering with Lastin again. So, your using a narrowish zig zag? I like how you trim some off when you attach the layers. I often have problems with gathering threads peeking out. That might help.

Thanks!

[Lmata]

Thanks Kori. Your instructions were perfect to understand!

[tarablesue]

YAY I am so thrilled ~I am going to make a Kori skirt today:D I probably wouldn't be so gungho if she and i weren't similar sizing tho;)

[barbwire]

Great job with the Sew-along, thanks!

Is this skirt something you can do knit only or do you think it would work with wovens?

[Kori]

Awesome sew along Kori! :yes: I need one of these :)

Great instructions. You're inspiring me to try gathering with Lastin again. So, your using a narrowish zig zag? I like how you trim some off when you attach the layers. I often have problems with gathering threads peeking out. That might help.

Thanks!

Thank you! I do a narroww zig zag so that it is completely on the lastin.

[Kori]

Great job with the Sew-along, thanks!

Is this skirt something you can do knit only or do you think it would work with wovens?

You need a knit waist band and you might want the hips a little looser with a woven. Otherwise it will work with a woven. I've been meaning to do one. :yes:

[BugzNBean]

I forgot about wanting to try this :)

Do you top stitch the teirs?

[Chels~]

Thank you Kori, I look forward to trying this out.

[Kori]

I forgot about wanting to try this :)

Do you top stitch the teirs?

I don't top stitch the teirs but the RTW skirt that I copied had top stitched tiers. :yes:

[nutmeg]

That looks fabulous! I'll link one I found for wovens, if that's okay with you -- it has how to measure for different sizes of waist.

Skirt waist calculator (http://www.jcarolinecreativ e.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_C ode=JC&Screen=PSKIRT)

[MelissainIA]

well I'm so glad this got mentioned in another thread & bumped...I'm gonna have to make me (& my biggest girl) one!
Melissa

[Kori]

That looks fabulous! I'll link one I found for wovens, if that's okay with you -- it has how to measure for different sizes of waist.

Skirt waist calculator (http://www.jcarolinecreativ e.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_C ode=JC&Screen=PSKIRT)

thanks! That is a great link for an elastic waist tiered skirt. :yes:

[RetroCowgirl]

Thank you Kori! I was in the mood to sew today, but had no idea what I wanted to make and now I know :D I appreciate you taking time to take pics and do a sew-along for us! I completely forgot about this, so thanks for bumping it Erika.

[Kori]

I want to see the sew and shows! :D

[RetroCowgirl]

I want to see the sew and shows! :DThat's a fair trade I think :wink: If I'm brave enough I'll show one, the holidays weren't kind to my hips, roflol!!

[Aiti]

This is great, thank you Kori!

[Krista]

Oh yay! I'm gonna have to find some time to make a Kori Skirt! (if I can figure it out with my measurements LOL)

[Peppermint]

Hey dear can you help me with meas for the knit and the woven kori skirt.. I love the woven and want to attempt the knit one... My waist is 26 hips 35.5 I would want it to be knee length or just above ((HUGS))

[mylove4my3]

What is Lastin? And how does it work?

Thanks Kori!

[Carolyn75]

bumping for me for later

[MamaNurse]

As a sewing-newbie, I've got a couple questions (with more to come). I just love this skirt and really want to do it.

1. I don't have any lastin. Can I get it at JA's? Can I make it w/out the lastin? What's the purpose of it?

2. I don't understand the reasoning on the lengths of lastin used. IOW, how do I know how long to cut it for my sized skirt?

3. Approx. how much fabric does it use for a women's Med. or Large size?

TIA to anyone who answers and thank you to Kori!!

[MamaNurse]

bumping.

Maybe I should start a new thread for these questions. :think: :)

[Kori]

1. I don't have any lastin. Can I get it at JA's? Can I make it w/out the lastin? What's the purpose of it?
You can get clear elastic at Joanns. I don't think it's called lastin. I use the lastin to gather. There are different methods to gather as well.

2. I don't understand the reasoning on the lengths of lastin used. IOW, how do I know how long to cut it for my sized skirt? I think I explained it above but I cut the lastin for each tier an inch smaller than the tier above it that I'll be attaching it too.

3. Approx. how much fabric does it use for a women's Med. or Large size? I'm pretty sure it was less than 2 yards of 60" wide knit.

HTH. :)

[MamaNurse]

1. I don't have any lastin. Can I get it at JA's? Can I make it w/out the lastin? What's the purpose of it?
You can get clear elastic at Joanns. I don't think it's called lastin. I use the lastin to gather. There are different methods to gather as well.

2. I don't understand the reasoning on the lengths of lastin used. IOW, how do I know how long to cut it for my sized skirt? I think I explained it above but I cut the lastin for each tier an inch smaller than the tier above it that I'll be attaching it too.

3. Approx. how much fabric does it use for a women's Med. or Large size? I'm pretty sure it was less than 2 yards of 60" wide knit.

HTH. :)


Thank you, Kori. :heart: It really helps. I found clear elastic at JA's last night. :cheerful: Sorry to have you repeat for #2. I must have missed it the first go around. Sometimes concentrating is tough w/3 boys clawing at me. :yikes:

Amy

[Becci]

I love this tutorial- I was just thinking last night of trying to figure out how to make DD and I matching skirts for the summer. I was going to use Heather Ross fabric though---hmmmm--- but I wonder if I can still use the tut and put a knit waistband without it looking too crazy?

[Vanessa]

I'm sure you can. Kori used to sell skirts like that (not sure if she still does) and they were lovely. :)

edit: her woven ones were basically an a-line with that waistband. Let me see if I can find some pics.

[Vanessa]

There's one in this link. Hope that helps! Welcome to the board!

http://www.sewingmamas.com/b/showthread.php?t=447 59&highlight=kori+skirt

[palepink]

I love it! Great directions.

[Becci]

Super cute!!! Okay- I am going to try it. :)

http://photos.imageevent.co m/kori/clubthread/icons/o17.jpg

I'd like to make matching Mama & DD skirts for Mother's day-- but I am still ISO the fabric that I'd like to use. I was looking around the site for the ISO section when I came across this thread again :) THANKS GIRLS!!!

[cowmommy]

I know this is a really old post but I wanted to thank you for posting this. I used the Lastin to gather the latest smurfs dress I made it it was SO much easier. THANK YOU!!

[Mamaof3]

great skirts !!

[shayshap]

oh this is wonderful.

[verycraftymama]

thank you

[mkoontz]

hey..... even I could do this....

[daisy0306]

Great tut!