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Skirt Sewing Patterns

Skirt Sewing Patterns

A skirt is one of the quickest garments to make and one of the most useful things to have in a wardrobe, which makes it a sensible place to start or a satisfying weekend project if you're further along. This collection brings together skirt patterns from independent brands, covering A-line, wrap, pleated, bias, denim and knit styles across a wide spread of sizes and difficulty levels.
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Skirts reward sewing far more than they cost in time. There's less fitting to worry about than a bodice, the fabric requirements are modest, and the same pattern will read completely differently in a linen, a denim or a drapey viscose. If you've made a toile once, you'll usually get a wearable skirt at the second attempt.

The patterns collected here come from independent designers rather than the big envelope brands, which means clearer instructions, more current shapes and, in most cases, a wider size range. Between them they cover the main skirt shapes worth having:

  • A-line and panelled skirts that skim rather than cling, and suit almost any mid-weight woven.
  • Wrap skirts that adjust with your shape, which makes them forgiving to fit and quick to sew.
  • Pleated skirts for structure and movement, best in a fabric that holds a crease.
  • Bias-cut skirts for a fluid drape, usually in silk, viscose or a soft crepe.
  • Jeans and denim skirts for something harder wearing, with topstitching and proper pocket construction.
  • Knit skirts that pull on, with no zip or buttonhole to fit at all.

Choosing a fabric for a skirt pattern

The pattern envelope will list its suggested fabrics, and it's worth taking that seriously rather than treating it as a suggestion. A pattern drafted for a stiff cotton will lose its shape entirely in a soft viscose, and a bias-cut skirt in a firm fabric won't drape at all. If you're not sure how a cloth behaves, Order Sample and hold it against yourself before you buy the length. Our dress fabrics collection is a good starting point for most of these patterns.

Which skirt pattern suits a beginner

An elasticated or pull-on knit skirt asks the least of you: no zip, no buttonhole, and a waistband that will fit even if your measurements shift. A wrap skirt is the next step up and teaches you a proper facing and ties. Save fitted, zipped and bias-cut skirts for once you're comfortable with a machine, since those are where the fitting and the fabric handling actually matter. Each pattern's page shows its own difficulty rating and size range.

Sizing

Independent pattern brands each draft to their own size chart, and those charts don't match ready-to-wear sizing or each other. Measure your waist and hips and read the chart on the pattern page rather than buying the size you'd buy in a shop. Several brands split their range across two pattern packs, so check you're ordering the one that covers your measurements. For everything else in the range, browse our sewing patterns.

What's the easiest skirt sewing pattern for a beginner?

A pull-on knit skirt or an elasticated waist skirt is the easiest starting point, because there's no zip, no buttonhole and no close fitting to get right. A wrap skirt is a good second project. Each pattern page shows a difficulty rating, so look for the ones marked beginner.

How much fabric do I need for a skirt pattern?

Most skirt patterns need somewhere between 1 and 2.5 metres depending on the style, your size and the fabric width. A gathered or pleated skirt uses considerably more than an A-line one. Always work from the fabric requirements printed on the pattern rather than a general figure.

What fabric is best for a skirt?

Mid-weight wovens such as cotton drill, linen, denim and gabardine hold their shape and suit most A-line, pleated and panelled patterns. Softer viscose, crepe and silk suit bias-cut and gathered styles. Ponte and other stable knits work for pull-on skirts. Check the pattern's own suggestions first.

Do sewing pattern sizes match my usual clothing size?

No, and this catches most people out. Pattern sizing is drafted to each brand's own measurements chart and is usually a size or two different from ready-to-wear. Measure your waist and hips and pick from the chart on the pattern page.

Are these skirt patterns printed or PDF downloads?

Everything sold here is a printed paper pattern, posted out to you. If a pattern is available in more than one size range, the range covered is shown in the product title.

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