Nita Wrap Skirt Sewalong Day 4: Attach a lining

Welcome to Day 4 of the Nita Wrap Skirt Sewalong! If you haven't done so already, grab your copy of the pdf pattern right here and then check out all of the sewalong posts here.

Day 4: How to Attach a Lining

For some fabrics, it’s really nice to have a lining in your skirt. It can protect your skin from itchy fabric, add another layer of coverage to a sheer fabric or give additional weight to garment. It’s really easy to add a lining to the Nita Wrap Skirt. The steps are very similar to making the skirt without a lining, just in a different order. Let's get started!

Note: If you are not adding a lining to your skirt, skip ahead to Day 5.

First, let’s cut out the lining fabric. You’ll need three pieces: the back, left front and right front. Cut the back same as your fashion fabric just about an inch shorter. For the front pieces, you’ll cut the lining a little smaller than the skirt. To make the skirt lining pattern, cut (or trace) the garment pattern along the line that says “CUT HERE FOR LINING”. This removes the facing plus a little more.

Now we’re ready to sew. Apply interfacing to your garment the same as for the skirt without a lining. Make the darts in the skirt (instructions in Day 3 here) and press towards the center. Make the darts in the skirt lining and press towards the side seams. Pressing the darts for the skirt and the lining will reduce bulk when the skirt is all put together.

Next sew the side seams of the skirt and the skirt lining. Press the seams open. Because the seams will be enclosed it’s not necessary to finish the seams. However, if your fabric frays a lot you may want to finish them. For this sample, I serged the plaid fabric and used pinking shears on the lining. Press the seams open.

Now you’re ready to attach the lining to the skirt. With right sides together and notches matched, pin the angled fronts of the lining to the skirt facings. Stitch from the waistband to a few inches above the hem of the skirt. (The lining will be hemmed separately from the skirt to prevent any pulling or warping at the hem.)

Press the seam allowance towards the lining. Turn the skirt right side out and press along the facing fold line. Pin the skirt waistband to the lining waistband matching the side seams, notches and darts. Baste. If desired, topstitch the front facing. And that's it. Now you can proceed to Day 5 to assemble the waistband and attach it to the skirt. Happy Sewing!