Sew a Skirt for Trek--Elastic Waistband

Here are some instructions for the most simple elastic waistband skirt I know of.

Make an elastic waistband skirt by purchasing 2 yards of cotton fabric and 1" wide elastic (You will need at least enough elastic the length of the hip measurement plus a couple of inches. I buy a package of elastic.)  Lay the fabric with one side of the selvage running left to right, so that a selvage is on the top of the piece and on the bottom.  

Fold the 2 yards of fabric cut end to cut end with RIGHT sides together. Sew 1/2" or 5/8" seam whichever you like. Press seam flat and then serger, or not:)  Along the top selvage edge of this tube now press down 2" of fabric wrong side to wrong side. This is for the elastic casing. Stitch 1 1/2" from the top fold leaving a 2" opening in which to insert elastic. Attach a large saftey pin to the end of the elastic to fish through the casing. 

Don't cut elastic to size until after measuring to trekker's waist or 1" below the belly button.  Overlap elastic by 1 1/2" to 2" inches making sure that the elastic is not twisted in the casing. Straight stitch across the elastic in two spots near each end of the overlapped elastic. Once you're sure the elastic is not twisted inside the casing stitch the insertion opening closed by stretching the elastic and fabric smooth and closing the hole.

On the other side of the skirt (the bottom) double fold the selvage up 3" twice. You have shortened the skirt by about 6". You don't have to hem it this much. The amount depends on the height of the trekker.  The skirt should reach to mid-calf. The is about 12" extra length in the skirt before hemming for the average sized 5'6" girl.

Here are some other directions for an elastic waistband skirt.
There is an optional ruffle on the bottom. Don't make the skirts too narrow at the bottom. When you take strides will trekking you don't want the skirt to hobble you at the ankles or calves.

Of course this skirt is too short for Trek, but the elastic waistband is another option.

Here's a YouTube tutorial video and it's only 5 minutes long--YES! This skirt pattern uses 2" wide exposed elastic for the waistband. It's a quick and easy DIY. Click here for the video tutorial. Of course you're going to need to make the skirt mid-calf length for Trek. You'll need enough fabric gathered around your waist to have enough kick/hiking room down below near your calves.

Here's another tutorial on making a casing for the elastic on a skirt. This is similar to pajama pants that you may have made in Mrs. Griffin's sewing class at Oak Canyon JHS. Click here for the video.