The grain line runs parallel to the salvedges. When making a skirt it is usually cut with the center front and center back running along the grain line. Any other tiers should be cut the same way.

Prairie skirts come in different styles with the underlaying theme of a full skirt. If you could post a photo of yours it might help. You could just try a pattern with a full skirt and then add your details.

Thanks for the inform. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to post pix. The one I was going to take apart for a pattern (& a couple of others I wear) is a 3 tier gathered w/elastic waist. May not to get to try it til after the holidays, but I'll try your suggestions when I get the old one taken apart. Thanks, again, for the information - I appreciate it.

I think that when you take apart your current skirt and press it, you'll be able to see that the tops and bottoms of the tiers are straight and on grain, the side seams flare out gradually. You're having trouble visualizing it, but I think you'll have no trouble seeing it once the current skirt is cut and pressed .

After reading that the skirt has tiers and elastic waist remembered a few patterns.

Peasant Skirt, needs a little tweaking, the fabric a little tacky, but it is a free pattern posted below.

You can also google Pettiskirt, think Martha Stewart has a free one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adult Peasant Skirt

Thanks for the add'l information & the link.(you're right, the pix is tacky fabric :-0 ) I haven't had time yet to rip apart the old one, but with these add'l posts, I hope to get started soon. "I think I can, I think I can" make a new one :-0

The way I was taught to find the grain of the fabric was to pull a thread parallel to the selvage and that would bi the straight grain.