Dressing Table Skirt

Materials:

cotton twill fabric in two coordinating patterns
Simplicity and McCall's pattern (or follow instructions provided)
kidney-shaped table or table of your choice
craft paper
measuring tape
scissors
thread
Singer Designer Projects Bed and Bath, pp. 100-103 (optional)
Home Decorating Basics, Pamela J. Hastings, pg. 107 (optional)

Steps:

1. Measure the table surfaces to obtain the following four measurements:

- A top piece (deck) to cover the surface of the table and to which the ruffled skirt will be attached. To get this measurement, turn the table upside down and trace the shape of the table onto craft paper (figure A), adding a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

-For the skirt height, measure from the top of the table to the floor. To add a 3-inch band around the bottom of the skirt, subtract 2-1/2" from the length--but allow for a 1/2-inch for a seam allowance on the top and bottom of the skirt panels.

-For the skirt, take the circumference of the tabletop and multiply that by 1.5 for the gathers. (Our table circumference is 94", so our skirt fabric will be 141".) To piece this together, allow for a 1-inch seam allowance for each of the center panel openings and 1/2-inch seam allowance for the other two panels; that's a total of 3 inches. Add the 141 inches and 3 inches and you get 144 inches. Divide that by 3 (the number of panels your skirt will have) and you get 48; that means you'll have three panels of 48 inches each.

-For the band measurements, each strip needs to be 7 inches in width. This allows you to fold the band in half, creating a 3-1/2-inch strip. Then when you fold down a 1/2-inch seam allowance, you'll have a 3-inch band around the bottom of the skirt. To match the skirt panels, cut three 48-inch band panels, adding a 1-inch seam allowance on either side to finish the edges.

2. Cut out the three fabric panels for the skirt. Then cut the deck piece and the three band pieces out of the coordinating fabric.

3. Pin the three fabric skirt panels together and stitch together. Pink the raw edges (figure B) and press the seams open.

4. For the center front skirt opening, allow for a 1-inch seam allowance. Fold the raw edge in 1/2-inch two times, press and stitch.

5. Pin and stitch the three band panels together. Fold the band in half, wrong sides together, and press. Fold under 1/2-inch on each raw edge and press (figure C).

6. Open up the pressed upper edge of the band and lay the band right sides together against the lower raw edge of the skirt. Make sure the raw edges match. Pin and stitch the band to the skirt with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Fold the band back over, and pin onto the skirt (figure D) and stitch.

8. Mark the gathering stitches every eight inches for ruffles (figure E) on the deck panel, and mark the gathering stitches every 12 inches on skirt panels for ruffles. Stitch two rows of gathering stitches. Pull the loose threads to create the ruffles. Matching the points, press the ruffles (figure F), pin and stitch. Tip: Pressing controls the gathering stitches and flattens the gathers.

9. Sew the skirt panels and the deck together.

10. Press the raw edge of the ruffle toward the skirt so that it will lay flat. Finish the raw edges before you gather with a serger or zigzag stitch, if desired.

11. Add a covered button to finish the opening in the front of the skirt.