Make Your Own Skirt Pattern

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Make Your Own Skirt Pattern

I love wearing skirts in the summer. They are light and flowy and perfect for many occasions. Sometimes I can find cute skirts in my size at thrift stores but they are usually too short or too tight, not great for everyday wear! Last year I taught myself how to make DIY Maxi Skirts, they are so much fun and I’ve loved wearing them! This spring I wanted to make a few knee length skirts that would be even more perfect for wearing through the heat of summer.

I love knit fabrics for many reasons but especially for making clothing, it’s so forgiving! Knit fabrics are perfect for making your own skirt patterns because even if something goes a bit wrong it will likely still be wearable. I used one yard of fabric for my knee length skirt. You may need more or less depending on the style of skirt that you choose.

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I started creating my pattern with a skirt that I liked the length of and the size and some newspaper. I laid the skirt over the newspaper but used a marker carefully to create my own pattern in the newspaper.

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You made need to tape a few pieces of newspaper together like I did to fit the full pattern on the paper. Make sure to give yourself room around the skirt you are drawing around so you will have seam allowances.

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I then cut out my newspaper pattern and laid it over my washed knit fabric. (I got this fabric from Fabric.com)You can pin if you want, I hate pinning…I’m always afraid I’m going to leave one on the floor by accident! I made sure to place the pattern over a folded piece of fabric so I would cut 2 pieces at once.

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Then I cut out the fabric. I made sure to cut a little bit more on the top (at least an extra 3 inches). I plan on using this for a fold over waist so I don’t have to put in elastic. Easy!

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Turn the pieces of fabric inside out and sew the two pieces together.

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Then sew the hem on the bottom of the shirt.

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Then sew the hem at the top of the skirt. If you want to simply make a wide waist you can fold over about 2 inches and sew. You can always add in elastic if you want. If you need the folded waist to be a little more stretchy, make sure to use an elastic thread.

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Finally sew the other 2 sides together to close the skirt.

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Trim an access fabric from the seams, fold so the right side is out again and that’s it! Now you have a cute skirt in your size without buying a pattern and with only a small amount of sewing. I think I love this non-pattern pattern!

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Find more Sewing Projects here on Little House Living!

Do you wear skirts in the summer? What are some of your favorite easy sewing projects?

merissabio

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23 Comments

  1. LOVE that skirt! And I’m with you – I’ve told my husband many times that I feel sorry for guys in the summer because they don’t get to wear skirts. They’re so much cooler!

  2. Thanks for sharing this idea, Merissa! It looks simple and “doable”! I have some knit fabric that would work great for this.

  3. Great idea! I’ve been looking to start making some of my clothing, and simple skirts seem like the place to start.
    You should check out the Clover Wonder Clips as an alternative to pins. They are so much safer with kids and animals around (or even bare feet), and I use them for so many sewing and craft projects that they paid for themselves already (and no, I am not trying to advertise for them, I really do just love them and hate pins sticking in my feet).

      1. Search Amazon for wonder clips. There are other brands that are about half the cost of the Clover clips. They appear to be identical.

  4. I love wearing skirts and a couple of mine are wearing out. I’m going to shop the thrift stores first, but this is a great idea if I don’t find something. I don’t like to sew, but I have a friend who does who I could barter with!

  5. I’m going to have to try this! I’m not that great of a seamstress but this sounds like something I can do. I’m with you on the pins. The last home we rented the owner’s mother had lived in and enjoyed sewing. We even got to see her old Singer that you ran by pushing the pedal! The problem was we were constantly finding pins stuck in the orange shag carpet and receiving the occasional prick.

  6. What a great idea to use a simple skirt that fits you to come up with your own reusable pattern! Your skirt looks awesome, and I agree, wearing skirts in the summer is so much cooler 🙂

  7. For small people like me, we could thrift a skirt and make one from the thrifted skirt cloth! Thank you!

  8. wow the skirt pattern and method to make skirts is awesome going to try this thank you.

  9. Great idea. I have been thinking of a way to do a skirt without a pattern . You came up with it . Thanks for sharing.

  10. i luv this! that fabric is awesome! do u have a source for it? please don’t say walmart – I’ve noticed they never have the same stuff at their stores.

  11. This is amazing, thank you! I’m trying so hard to homestead in the city, and I’m slowly making my way to making my own clothes. My husband bought me a sewing machine for my birthday and I haven’t used it nearly enough.
    It’s also great to meet someone else who hates pinning! One of my good homesteading friends pins everything and gives me grief for flying by the seat of my pants, lol. But I just can’t! haha.

  12. Great tutorial, for a simple skirt. I have often used favorite pieces of clothing to alter and make patterns. With patterns being crazy expensive, it is the frugal way.

    Thanks, Sandi

  13. Very nice and detailed tutorial! Great skirt and I love the fabric! Would love to see you at my craft party which is new Thursdays at 7pm EST. We pin every instructional post and share on other social media. Have a great rest of the week!

  14. I love how your skirt turned out. I’ve made a few patterns off of clothes. I think you made yours fit really well. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party. Pinned & shared.

  15. Using a skirt you have already as a starting point is great advice for making clothes without a pattern. I usually make circle skirts because I love them and they’re easy 🙂

  16. Great tutorial, and your skirt looks wonderful! Thanks so much for joining us at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party.

  17. Great idea to make an easy skirt… and quick too. Though I would advise, with knit fabrics, to use a small zigzag stitch… allowing the stitch to stretch with the fabric. Straight stitch ends up breaking when pulled as it can’t follow the stretch of the fabric.