Instructions

1. Cut out and mark the skirt according to your pattern’s instructions. Remember to finish the seam allowances of your skirt, using the method of your choice.
2. Staystitch the upper edge of the front 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) from the cut edge; be sure to stitch in the direction your pattern indicates. Make the darts in the front (see photo); press them toward the center of the skirt.
    
   
3. Staystitch the upper edges of the back pieces 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) from the cut edge; be sure to stitch in the proper direction.
4. Make the darts in the back and press them toward the center of the skirt. Stitch the center back seam from the notch to the lower edge, right sides together, matching the notches (see photo). Backstitch at the notch to reinforce the seam.
    
   

Adding the Zipper

5. To install the zipper in the back, turn in 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) on the right opening edge; press. Turn in the left opening edge along the seamline and press. Place the closed zipper under the right opening edge, placing the zipper stop at the notch and the zipper teeth close to the pressed edge. Pin the end of the zipper tape to the skirt. Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper to the skirt and then stitch close to the edge (see photo). Lap the left opening edge over the right opening edge, matching seamlines. Baste and then stitch in place, pivoting below the notch. Trim the excess length from the zipper.
    
   

Stitching the Pieces Together

6. Stitch the front to the back at the side seams, right sides together, matching the notches.
7. Now you’ll add a facing to the waistline. Apply fusible interfacing to the facing sections following the manufacturer’s directions. Stitch the side seams of the facing sections, right sides together. Finish the long unnotched edge by stitching 1⁄4" (6 mm) from the edge; turn under along the stitching, press, and stitch.
8. With the right sides together, pin the facing to the skirt, matching the centers, the notches, and the side seams (see photo). (The facing extends 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) beyond the right opening edge and 5⁄8" (1.6 cm) beyond the left opening edge.) Baste in place. Stitch along the seamline. Trim the seam and clip the curves.
    
   

Stitching the Facing

9. To understitch the facing, press it away from the skirt, pressing the seam toward the facing. With the facing side up, stitch close to the seam through the facing and the seam allowances.
10. Turn the facing to the inside, turning under and hemstitching the edges to the zipper tape; press (see photo). To keep the facing in place, tack it to the seam allowances.
     
    

Adding the Flounce

13. Stitch the front and back flounce sections together at the side seams, right sides together. Stitch along the seamline on the notched edge of the flounce so you can clip to this line of stitching in step 13.
14. Make a narrow hem at the lower edge of flounce: Stitch 3⁄8" (1 cm) from the lower edge. Press up the hem along this line of stitching, then tuck under the raw edge to meet the line of stitching. Press. Stitch the hem in place.
15. Clip the notched edge of the flounce to the line of stitching, being careful not to clip through the stitching. Clipping to the seamline enables you to spread the circular flounce to fit the straight skirt. With the right sides together, pin the flounce to the lower edge of the skirt, matching first the side seams, then the centers, and lastly the notches (see photo). Stitch. Press the seam toward the skirt, pressing the flounce out.