fledge swirling twirl skirt Laguna · 2014. 2. 7. · fledge swirling twirl skirt Laguna “Laguna” is the Spanish word for “lagoon”, there, where the sea eddies in and communicates

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fledge swirling twirl skirt Laguna“Laguna” is the Spanish word for “lagoon”, there,where the sea eddies in and communicates with theland. Laguna Beach is a little beach town, where onecan spend hours communicating with the sea. Thetwirl skirt “Laguna” is based on a simple circle skirt,which eddies in with a new twist. “Laguna” sewn atknee-length or shorter and worn with theaccompanying leggings is a cheeky, girly-girl look.

“Laguna” can be sewn either as a simple single-layerskirt or as a double-layer skirt. When sewn as adouble skirt, the top flounce layer almost has theeffect of a triple-layer circle skirt. The pattern piece isgraded to fit a child of average stature and will hangat the knee or somewhat shorter. For a longer skirt,please choose a larger size. By following thesedirections carefully, “Laguna” can be sewn bybeginners

Thank you for your purchase and for sewing“Laguna”!

-Nancy Langdon, fledge • studioTANTRUM

Recommended fabrics: Poplin, Voile, Batiste, lightweight denim, fine wale corduroy. For aspecial occasion skirt, you may choose to sew a top layer from organza, chiffon, tulle, etc.

Sewing a double-layer LAGUNA swirling twirl skirt:

*Please note, the scale in the background is 1x1 inch.

Please take your child’smeasurements before starting andcompare to the sizing chart. Pleasemeasure the length and the waist.

Lay your fabric unfolded on yourcutting surface. Lay two pieces offabric on top of one another, wrongside to right side (both “pretty” sidesfacing up).

To prevent the fabric from slippingwhile cutting, you may want to spray alight coat of temporary spray adhesivebetween the fabric layers.


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Trace the spiral-shaped pattern pieceonto a piece of paper.

Lay the pattern piece uncut on top ofthe two pieces of fabric..

Cut through the paper along thetraced line through the two layers offabric. This pattern piece is drawn tosize: An additional seam allowance isnot required. If you following thesizing chart, an additional seamallowance is not required.

Tip: Place this pattern piece on thefabric, so that there is ample room forcutting the second spiral(s). Forexample, place the outer edge of thispiece, the outer tail end of the “snail”close to the selvedge. Leave ampleroom on the other side of the “snail”.The reason for this will becomeapparent in the next steps.

After cutting the first spirals, gentlyremove the excess paper and leaveonly the pattern piece on the fabric.


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Lift the pattern piece and place itdirectly opposite of the spirals you justcut.

Lay this pattern piece along thecutting line just cut for the first set ofspirals.

In this way, the second set of spirals isalready halfway cut. Essentially, theinner half of the waist edge and thelong tail end are all that remain to becut of the second spiral set.

Lay the inner point ofthe pattern piece

directly opposite thepoint of the the spiral

already cut

First cut spiral


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Here you will recognize the cut layout.

Here you have 4 long spirals, 2 ofeach fabric.

At this time, decide if you would like amonochromatic over-layer or a moretwo-tone effect. For a two-tone effect(see illustration at the top of theseinstructions), reverse the stackingorder of one set of spirals. In thisexample, I would place one greenspiral on top of its corresponding pinkspiral.

Important: Trim the tail end (hem end)of the bottom spiral of each of thesets of two spirals approx. 3-4 cm (1to 1-1/2 inches). End this trim in apoint.

This step is important when it comesto hemming the skirt in a later step.

You will now have 2 sets of 2 spirals.Each set will have the bottom spiraltrimmed a bit shorter on the tail end.

Trim 3-4 cm from the tip of the bottom layer.


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Begin at the waist end (inner end ofthe spiral) and stitch the two spiralstogether along the inside edge, rightside to wrong side (both “pretty” sidesof the fabric facing up). Stitch thesespirals close to the edge, approx. 4-6mm from the edge.

Do not finish this seam.

Repeat for the other set of two spirals.

You now have 2 two-layer spirals,each of which are stitched togetheralong the inner edge.


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Lay the 2 two-layer spirals down. Pinthe outer edge of a bottom layerspiral to the inner edge of the othertwo-spiral set.

If you have cut your spirals from thesame piece of fabric, you will be ableto match up the print of the fabric tofind the right place to pin.

The photo on the left illustrates a skirtwith a monochromatic (single fabricprint) top layer.

The photo below illustrates a skirt thatwill have a two-tone appearance.

Match the print on the fabric


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Stitch the outer edge of the bottomlayer spiral to the inner edge of theother set of spirals. In other words,unfold the bottom spiral from the topspiral in one set. Pin that outer edgeto the inner edge of the other set oftwo spirals, where they are stitchedone to another.

In this example, the pink bottom fabricis stitched to two layers of the otherspiral set, right sides together. Thephoto left illustrates where stitchingwill begin for this seam.

Finish this seam with a four-threadover-edge or zig zag stitch. Press andtopstitch this seam.

Repeat the above step for theopposite side.

You may lay your spirals down andmatch up the print of the fabric onceagain.

(The photo on the left illustrates a two-tone skirt).

Both layers

Bottom layer


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It is recommended to lay these spiralsdown and pinning before stitching thefirst time you sew this skirt. If you arenot careful, it is easy to inadvertentlytwist the spiral. With practice the skirtcan be sewn without pinning.

Once the two sets of spirals arestitched together, you have the basicform of the skirt.

Already stitched opposite spiral seam

Beginning of 2nd spiral seam


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This design requires hemming theskirt before attaching the waistband.Now, to hem the double-layer skirt:The photo on the left shows the skirtat the hem where the spirals meet.

Here, you will recognize the 3-4 cmyou trimmed in an earlier step.

Begin hemming the skirt where thearrow indicates. Hem only the underlayer (in this illustration, the pinkfabric). The top layer (brown fabric)remains untouched for the moment.

Possibilities for hemming the skirtinclude bias tape, ric rac, lace or asimple folded hem.

In this example, I have chosen biastape. This will give the top flouncelayer extra form.

Begin hemming here

Trimmed 3-4 cm


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While hemming the bottom layer, youwill automatically come to thetransition to the top layer. In otherwords, you will first hem along thebottom layer at the hem. Then you willmeet the top layer spiral at the hem.At this point, you will automaticallycontinue hemming up the top layerflounce, thereby finishing the edge ofthis flounce.

In this illustration, I begin hemming thebottom (pink) layer with bias tape. Imeet the (brown) fabric of the toplayer flounce and continue attachingbias tape to the (brown) top flounce.

At this transition point, you will see thebottom layer of the opposite spiral. Ifyou have trimmed this bottom layerspiral 3-4 cm at the tip, this bottomlayer will not interfere with thetransition from the hem of theopposite spiral and the top flouncelayer.

Repeat the above step for theopposite hem and flounce layer.

The two hemline “paths” areillustrated on the left, once in yellowand once in blue.

You begin at each of the dots on thebottom layer and transition to theflounce layer automatically.

Bottom layer

Transition totop flouncelayer


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Attaching the waistband (one method;please use your preferred method):

Stitch the short ends of the waistbandtogether right sides together. Pressand topstitch this seam.

Fold the ring in half lengthwise andpress this fold.

Topstitch along the edge of this fold.

Stitch one or two casings to fit yourelastic.

Leave a small opening for inserting theelastic.

This example shows two casings forelastic.

Leave an opening


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Place the waistband upside downover the waist edge of the skirt.

Pull the two halves of the waistbandfabric apart and fold the outer fabricover. Pin the inner half of thewaistband to the waist edge of theskirt.

Because the waist edge of the skirt issomewhat curved, it is important tohave a waistband, which fits exactlyalong this edge.

Stitch this one half of the waistband tothe waist edge of the skirt.


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Turn the waistband over the top edgeof the skirt. Pin the lower edge of theother half of the waistband to thewaist edge of the skirt. Turn this edgeunder while pinning for a morefinished look.

Stitch from the right side.

Insert the elastic into the casings andcinch to the desired fit. Stitch the endsof the elastic together with a tight zigzag stitch.

Stitch the little openings to thecasings closed with straight stitch.


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All done!

The bottom layer (pink fabric) peaksfrom beneath the top layer whiletwirling!

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fledge swirling twirl skirt Laguna · 2014. 2. 7. · fledge swirling twirl skirt Laguna “Laguna” is the Spanish word for “lagoon”, there, where the sea eddies in and communicates