DIY Ruched Mini Skirt for belly dance & yoga!

In my last tutorial, I showed you how to make this cute and comfortable wrap top with a hood. 🙂

Since it’s perfect as a dance lesson outfit, I made a matching ruched mini skirt that you can wear over your practice pants or leggings. This one is super easy to make, and in this video, you’ll see how. Let’s get started!

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To make this DIY ruched mini skirt, you need:

Matching colour thread

1/2 yard (50cm) of stretch fabric – I’m using the same jersey knit that I used to make the wrap top

How to Make DIY Ruched Mini Skirt

First, measure your belt line or this is where you want the top of the mini skirt to sit. And also measure the largest part of your hips.

Take both numbers, divide each one by 4.

Fold your fabric right sides together, and make sure the direction of stretch is along the width of the fabric. And fold it again. I’m folding like this to cut 2 panels in 1 go, but if your fabric is hard to fold twice neatly, then just do 1 panel at a time.

At the top of the fold, pick a point and measure a quarter of your belt line measurement minus 2cm (3/4in). Make a mark there.

Back on the fold, go down 5cm (2in), and measure the same length again. 

Back on the fold, go down 7.5cm (3in), and measure a quarter of your hip line measurement minus 1cm (3/8in). 

Back on the fold, go down 20cm (8in), and measure a quarter of your hip measurement minus 1cm (3/8in) again.

Connect these points and smooth out the curve here, then cut along the line. 

From the left over fabric, cut out 2 strips that are 1m long and 2cm (3/4in) wide.

Stretch and run the strips through your hand like this to make straps. If you’re using fabric that’s not jersey knit, for example spandex, your fabric may not behave like this. Then simply make regular spaghetti straps.

Take the panels, for each one, fold the top and bottom edges 2.5cm (1in) towards the wrong side, and do a zigzag stitch to keep the fold in place. Try to catch the raw edge as you stitch, so it looks neat on the inside.

Then place them right sides together, and at the sides, do a straight stitch with a 2cm (3/4in) seam allowance. Stretch gently as you sew.

At both seams, press the seams open, and sew down the seam allowance about 2mm (1/8in) from the edge. Use a straight stitch and stretch gently as you sew. Do this for both sides.

Turn the skirt inside out. Take the straps you made, put a safety pin on one end, and thread it from the bottom of the skirt.

Once it’s out at the top, send it back into the next channel. As soon as it’s back at the bottom, I like to tie the ends like this so they don’t slip out. You can add beads or feathers or whatever you like at the ends if you like. And scruch to the length you like, and make a bow tie.

Do this for both sides.

And your ruched mini skirt is complete! Adjust the length and tie the straps into cute bows, and enjoy your new outfit! Just like the tie top, if you make it with stretch lace or shiny spandex, this would look great as a costume too!

I hope you liked this tutorial, and if you did, please share this with your dancer friend who needs an easy hip cover!

And next week, I’m launching a brand new course on these beautiful pantaloons with sassy side openings!! These are super comfortable and the side drape is very pretty. It’s a must-have for all belly dancers and festival goers who love the tribal fusion look!

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Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!

P.S. Pin this image for your future project!

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