How to Sew Modesty Shorts into a Skirt

How to Sew Modesty Shorts
into a Skirt
A
AngelaB.me
Be active and keep modesty in check!
How to Sew Modesty
Shorts into a Skirt
Be active AND modest.
Make a handmade skirt
modest-friendly by sewing in
a store-bought pair of
leggings.
This is a perfect project to
make for a little girl, but you
can make it in any size.
Grab some leggings, choose
your favorite skirt sewing
pattern, and have fun!
Tools
Materials
seam guide
iron & ironing board
ruler
sewing machine
pins
scissors
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AngelaB.me
stretch leggings or shorts
skirt with unfinished waist
coordinating thread
© 2013 Angela Bowman
For personal use only
Page 2 of 6
Stretch the waistband of the leggings
Does it reach or extend
beyond the length of the unfinished
skirt waist?
NO
YES
Golden!
Skip to step 6.
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AngelaB.me
It’s okay, no worries!
You’ll just have a couple of
extra steps. Start at step 1.
© 2013 Angela Bowman
For personal use only
Page 3 of 6
Fully-stretched
waistband
-3
Gathered top
edge of skirt
1. Fold and press the skirt’s top edge to the wrong side:
1/2” and then another 1”.
2. Measure the fully-stretched waistband of the leggings
and subtract 3 inches (this will allow you to not have to
stretch the elastic so tight while sewing later). This will
be the length of the skirt’s top edge after you gather it.
3. Sew a gathering stitch at the top of the skirt, in the
middle of the two pressed folds.
4. Pull the gathering stitch to fit the length that you
calculated above. Tie the loose gathering threads
together to hold in place.
5. Now you have a shorter waistband that will fit the
leggings! Go to step 7. As you are sewing in the next
steps, don’t worry too much about perfect stitching.
The fabric will seem unruly with the gathers...but it’s
okay. It’s supposed to be gathery!
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AngelaB.me
© 2013 Angela Bowman
For personal use only
Page 4 of 6
6. Fold and press the skirt’s top
edge twice to the wrong side:
1/2” and then another 1”.
7. Place 4 pins at the skirt’s top
edge, marking centers and
sides.
8. Place 2 pins at the legging’s
top edge, marking sides.
9. Place leggings inside the
skirt, aligning the front and
back seams of leggings with
the front and back pins on
the skirt.
10. Insert the front and back of
the leggings so the top is
nestled at the 1” fold. Pin in
place.
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AngelaB.me
© 2013 Angela Bowman
For personal use only
Page 5 of 6
11. Insert the sides of the
leggings in the same
manner, using the pins to
guide alignment. Pin in
place.
12. Stitch the skirt to the
leggings, close to the folded
edge. Start under one of
your pins, sew a few stitches,
and stretch the elastic as you
sew.
13. Remove gathering stitches.
14. Cut leggings to desired
length. You’re done!
Link up your project online!
Visit www.angelab.me/projects
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AngelaB.me
© 2013 Angela Bowman
For personal use only
Page 6 of 6