Made-to-measure sewing pattern
Skirt sewing pattern, drafted to your measurements
Choose an A-line, straight, pencil, half-circle, circle or gathered skirt in any length from mini to maxi, finished with a zip and waistband or an elastic waist. The pattern is drafted from your waist, hip and length measurements, so there is no grading between sizes.
- Level
- Confident beginner
- Sewing time
- 4–5 hours
- Pieces
- 4
- Fabric
- 1.50 m × 150 cm
Styles and options
Make the skirt your way
Each style changes how the pieces are drafted. Pick one to open it in the studio, then set your size.
- Silhouette
- A-line, Straight, Pencil, Half circle, Full circle, Gathered
- Length
- Mini, Above knee, Knee, Midi, Maxi
- Waist finish
- Zipper + waistband, Elastic waist
- Fabric type
- Woven, Knit (stretch)
- In-seam pockets
- Yes, or leave it off
- Custom length (waist to hem)
- 25–120 cm, or automatic
Fabric requirements
How much fabric do I need for a skirt?
Main fabric to buy for the knee-length a-line skirt, worked out from the actual cutting layout for each standard size. Amounts are rounded up; the studio recalculates them for your measurements and design.
| Size | Waist / Hip (cm) | 150 cm wide fabric | 110 cm wide fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's | |||
| XS | 62 / 86 | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd | 1.50 m · 1 3/4 yd |
| S | 68 / 92 | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd | 1.70 m · 1 7/8 yd |
| M | 74 / 98 | 1.50 m · 1 3/4 yd | 1.70 m · 1 7/8 yd |
| L | 82 / 106 | 1.50 m · 1 3/4 yd | 1.80 m · 2 yd |
| XL | 90 / 114 | 1.50 m · 1 3/4 yd | 1.80 m · 2 yd |
| 2XL | 100 / 124 | 1.80 m · 2 yd | 1.80 m · 2 yd |
| 3XL | 110 / 134 | 1.80 m · 2 yd | 2.60 m · 2 7/8 yd |
| Kids' | |||
| Age 2 | 51 / 54 | 0.90 m · 1 yd | 1.10 m · 1 1/4 yd |
| Age 4 | 53 / 58 | 1.00 m · 1 1/8 yd | 1.20 m · 1 3/8 yd |
| Age 6 | 55 / 63 | 1.10 m · 1 1/4 yd | 1.30 m · 1 1/2 yd |
| Age 8 | 58 / 68 | 1.20 m · 1 3/8 yd | 1.30 m · 1 1/2 yd |
| Age 10 | 61 / 74 | 1.30 m · 1 1/2 yd | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd |
| Age 12 | 64 / 80 | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd |
| Age 14 | 67 / 86 | 1.40 m · 1 5/8 yd | 1.50 m · 1 3/4 yd |
Suggested fabrics
- Cotton poplin
- Linen or linen blend
- Chambray
- Light denim (for A-line/straight)
- Viscose challis (for circle/gathered)
Also needed (size M)
- Fusible interfacing0.30 m (3/8 yd) of 90 cm wide
- All-purpose polyester thread1 spool, matching colour
- Invisible zipper20 cm
- Hook and bar (or 1 button)1
What's in the pattern
Pieces, measurements and step-by-step instructions
Everything that comes with the knee-length a-line skirt: 4 pattern pieces, the finished measurements and the full sewing order.
Pattern pieces
- AFrontCut 1 on fold
- BBackCut 2 (1 mirrored pair)
- CWaistbandCut 1
- DPocket bagCut 4 (2 mirrored pairs)
Finished measurements (size M)
- Skirt length (waist to hem)58.5 cm
- Finished waist75.5 cm
Sewing instructions
Prepare5 steps
- 01
Pre-wash your fabric
Wash and dry the fabric the way you will launder the finished project, then press it flat. This removes shrinkage before you cut.
- 02
Print and check scale
Print the pattern at 100% ("actual size", no scaling). Measure the test square: it must be exactly 10 cm (the small square is 1 inch). Trim and tape the pages following the page grid.
- 03
Lay out and cut
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, selvage to selvage, right sides together. Follow the cutting layout: keep every grainline parallel to the selvage, and put pieces marked "place on fold" right against a fold. Cut lining and interfacing pieces as shown in their own layouts.
- 04
Transfer the markings
Snip 3 mm into the seam allowance at each notch. Mark dart legs, dart points and other placement marks with chalk or a washable marker on the wrong side.
- 05
Seam allowances
Seam allowance is 1.5 cm unless the piece says otherwise. Hem allowances are already included on hem edges. Sew with right sides together (RST).
Sew11 steps
- 01
Staystitch the waist
Stitch 1 cm from the waist edges of A (Front) and B (Back) so the curves do not stretch while you work.
- 02
Sew the skirt darts
On A (Front) and B (Back), fold each dart right sides together matching the legs. Stitch from the waist edge to the point, sewing the last 1 cm right along the fold. Tie the threads. Press front darts towards the centre front and back darts towards the centre back.
- 03
Finish raw edges
Zigzag or serge the side edges and the centre back edges of the skirt pieces.
- 04
Attach pocket bags
Sew a D (Pocket bag) to each side seam of A (Front) and B (Back), right sides together, matching the pocket notches, at 1 cm. Press the bags away from the skirt and understitch the front bags so they roll to the inside.
- 05
Insert the zipper
Install a 20 cm invisible zipper in the centre back seam of B (Back): the top stop sits 1.5 cm below the waist edge and the zipper ends at the notch. Then sew the rest of the centre back seam from the zipper end to the hem.
- 06
Sew the side seams
Pin A (Front) to B (Back) at the side seams matching notches; stitch down to the upper pocket notch, pivot and sew around the pocket bags, then continue down the side seam. Press the seams open (pocket bags towards the front).
- 07
Prepare the waistband
Fuse interfacing to C (Waistband). Press it in half lengthwise, then press 1.5 cm under along the long edge without notches.
- 08
Attach the waistband
Pin the notched edge of the waistband to the skirt waist, right sides together: one end at the left back zipper edge, notches at the side seams and centre front, and the 3 cm underlap extending past the right back. Stitch, grade the seam and press it into the band.
- 09
Close the waistband ends
Fold each end right sides together along the centre crease, stitch across the ends, clip corners and turn right side out. Pin the pressed edge just over the seam on the inside and stitch in the ditch from the outside, or slipstitch by hand.
- 10
Add the closure
Sew a hook and bar, or a buttonhole and button, so the waistband overlaps neatly.
- 11
Hem the skirt
Press up 2.5 cm along the hem. Turn the raw edge under 1 cm (or serge it) and stitch by machine or with an invisible hand stitch.
Finish2 steps
- 01
Final press
Press every seam from the inside with steam, then give the outside a light press using a pressing cloth.
- 02
Check the fit
Try it on (or test it) and make small adjustments now. Note any changes on your pattern for next time.
These are the instructions for the design shown. The studio rewrites them for the options you choose.
Questions
About the skirt pattern
What is the easiest skirt to sew?
An A-line or gathered skirt with an elastic waist. There is no zip to insert and the elastic casing does the fitting, so it is rated Beginner. Choose "Elastic" as the waist finish in the studio.
Can I add pockets to the skirt?
Yes. Turn on in-seam pockets and pocket bags are drafted for the side seams, with notches showing where they go. Pencil skirts are drafted without them, because pockets would spoil the fitted line.
How much fabric do I need for a skirt?
For the knee-length a-line skirt in women's size M, buy 1.50 m (1 3/4 yd) of 150 cm wide fabric, or 1.70 m (1 7/8 yd) of 110 cm wide fabric. The chart on this page lists every size, and the studio recalculates it for your own measurements, design and fabric width.
What fabric is best for a skirt?
Good choices for the knee-length a-line skirt are cotton poplin, linen or linen blend, chambray, light denim (for a-line/straight) and viscose challis (for circle/gathered). The studio updates the suggestions when you change the design, for example between knit and woven.
How long does it take to sew a skirt?
The knee-length a-line skirt is rated Confident beginner and takes about 4–5 hours, not counting printing and cutting. The pattern comes with step-by-step instructions written for its pieces.
Describe the skirt you have in mind
Write it the way you would say it. Sewing Pattern AI drafts it in your size.