DIY leather a-line skirt

top: gibson skirt: made (or buy similar here or here) shoes: old jessica simpson (similar) I've been obsessed with leather skirts, and honestly, never thought in a million years that I would have a nicely tailored one. Only because I didn't want to fork out the money. I'm sure that is many people's excuses. So, instead, I decided to make a faux leather skirt (I'm sure you could make a real one for just as cheap) to fill me need, and I'm SO pleased with it. It was shockingly easy to make and the material was actually easy to work with it. Now all I have to make next is a pencil skirt version. Photos by corey bryson
Supplies: 1-2 yards of softer, thinner leather (I used 1 yard of faux) no sew hem tape thread sewing machine scissors measuring tape industrial metal zipper or invisible zipper marking device pins Instructions: 1. Cut 3 pieces out that have the dimensions of the picture below. Hemming is optional because leather doesn't fray. But it is very easy and pretty with the no sew hem tape. Sewing in an exposed industrial zipper: 2. Take two of the pieces and lay them right sides together. Then place the industrial zipper at the top and mark where the zipper will hit at the top and at the bottom. I allowed for the 1" hem at the top. Make sure the zipper is long enough that it opens past the widest part of your hips. Sew up the bottom of the two pieces of the skirt to where you marked the bottom of the zipper to hit. 3. Sew the zipper in by placing the front right side of the zipper, to the right side of the unsewn side. Sew close to the teeth just under a half inch in. 4. Repeat with the other side. 5. looks like so! OR Sewing an invisible zipper: 2. Sew the zipper in by placing the front right side of the zipper, to the right side of the unsewn side. Using an invisible foot really helps, but I have managed before without it. Sew under the flap of the teeth. 3. Repeat with the other side. 4. looks like so! 5. Sew the third piece to the second, with the front sides touching. Then sew the third piece to the past piece, completing the skirt. 6. Now take your handy no sew tape (I'm not a fan on topstitching leather, because if you mess up there are permanent holes!). Stick it at the edge of the top and bottom of the skirt, peel and fold! 7. I did this with the 3 seams around the skirt as well to make it look much smoother and less bubbled out. Ironing doesn't work with the faux leather I was using. OR you can topstitch everything! 8. After hemming the top, sew the edge down near the zipper to keep it nice and flat.