Tiny Ruffle Skirt Tutorial – a small center ruffle makes this skirt irresistibly sweet. This step-by-step guide walks you through an easy sew you can finish in an afternoon.
Despite growing up with four older brothers, Rachel still loves girly clothes, and ruffles are a must. Skirts are one of my favorite things to sew because they’re both adorable and simple to construct. After spotting a similar style in a shop, I drafted a pattern for this tiny ruffle skirt. It was so quick to make that I put together two versions—both are favorites.
Disclaimer: This skirt was made to fit Rachel, who is three. I’ve included suggested measurements for additional sizes, but those are estimates based on reference patterns. Adjust the skirt length and waistband to fit the child you’re sewing for.
Tiny Ruffle Skirt Tutorial
Supplies for a size 3-4 skirt:
– 1/3 yard fabric for skirt top
– 3/4 yard fabric for skirt bottom
– 1/3 yard fabric for ruffle
– 3/4″ wide elastic (waistband)
– Thread, scissors, pins, sewing needles, safety pin, iron
Preparation:
Prewash, dry, and press your fabric. Cut all pieces before sewing.
Measurements for size 3-4:
Skirt top: 5” x 32″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces, 8” x 27″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces, 4” x 27″ each
Elastic: 16″ of 3/4″ wide elastic for the waistband
(Adjust the italicized lengths to make the skirt shorter or longer.)
1. Place the two skirt bottom pieces right sides together. Pin one short edge and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Press the seam open.
2. Hem the lower edge of the skirt: fold the edge about 1/4″ and press, then fold another 1/4″ and press again. Topstitch close to the inner folded edge to finish the hem.
3. Prepare the ruffle strips: place each pair right sides together and sew along the short ends; press seams open. Fold each ruffle strip in half, wrong sides together, and press.
4. Gather the raw edge of the ruffle pieces and the top edge of the skirt bottom. Sew gathering stitches and ease the fabric until the ruffle length matches the skirt section you’ll attach it to. Pin and baste to hold the gathers in place.
5. Align the gathered edge of the ruffle with the bottom edge of the skirt top (right sides together). Adjust the gathers to fit and pin. Sew a 1/2″ seam to attach the ruffle to the skirt top.
6. Match the gathered edge of the assembled ruffle/top piece to the upper edge of the skirt bottom (right sides together). Gather to fit, pin, and sew with a 1/2″ seam.
7. Finish raw edges with a serger, pinking shears, or a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying. Press the ruffle toward the lower skirt piece and topstitch along the seam line above the ruffle to secure it flat.
8. Sew the side seam of the skirt with a 1/2″ seam allowance and press the seam open.
9. Create the elastic casing: fold the top edge over about 1/4″ and press, then fold over again about 1″ and press to form the casing. Stitch a running line along the lower folded edge of the casing, leaving a 1–2″ opening at the side seam to insert the elastic.
10. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed it through the casing. Keep hold of the free end so it doesn’t disappear into the tunnel. When the elastic is fed all the way around, overlap the ends by about 1/2″ and secure with a zig-zag stitch (two rows for extra security is recommended).
11. Pull the elastic back into the casing and close the opening with stitching, taking care not to sew through the elastic. Turn the skirt right side out and press the waistband for a neat finish.
For a slightly different look, try a contrasting color for the tiny ruffle—I made one in a different color and liked the result even more.
Additional size guidelines
These measurements are guidelines—I haven’t tested each size. It’s best to customize lengths and waistband to fit the child and allow extra fabric for larger sizes.
Size 5-6:
Skirt top: 6” x 34″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces, 12” x 29″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces, 4 1/2” x 29″ each
Elastic: 17″ of 3/4″ wide elastic
Size 6-7:
Skirt top: 7” x 34″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces, 14” x 30″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces, 4 1/2″ x 30″ each
Elastic: 18 1/2″ of 3/4″ wide elastic
Size 8-9:
Skirt top: 7″ x 35″
Skirt bottom: 2 pieces, 16″ x 31″ each
Ruffle: 2 pieces, 4 1/2″ x 31″ each
Elastic: 20″ of 3/4″ wide elastic
