A-line Skirt

Every woman needs a cute, go-to skirt in their wardrobe and this pretty A-line can be just that. With perfectly placed, contrasting pockets, this ticks the style, figure-flattering and comfort boxes, making it an essential project to sew. Stitch yours using on-trend corduroy like designer Amanda Walker for perfect ’60s chic.

Essentials

Main fabric, 1.2m
Contrast fabric, 30cm
Curved petersham ribbon
Coordinating thread
Concealed zip, 23cm

Cutting guide

Front skirt: cut one on fold
Back skirt: cut one pair
Pocket: cut one pair in contrast fabric

Dimensions List

Waist measurements
Small: 68cm
Medium: 72cm
Large: 76cm
Use a 1.5cm seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise stated.

sew a skirt

1 Download and print the pattern, then cut out referring to the cutting guide. Turn the top pocket to the right side along the fold line, and stitch down the corner nearest the centre front on both pockets. Trim the bulk from the corners and turn the pocket facings back to the wrong side. Adjust your sewing machine to a larger stitch and sew a row along the seam line, 1.5cm away from the cut edge. To help neaten the edge of the pockets and make a smooth curve to the base corners, pull the threads of the stitching line up slightly. Press the edge of the fold and trim away the bulk from the curved corners.

2 Position the pockets on the notches indicated on the pattern on the side seams. Pin in place and edge stitch down the edges nearest to the centre front and across the base. Neaten the skirt seams by overlocking or zigzag stitching the side seam and centre back seam edges. The pocket edges will be neatened along with the side seams.

3 Stitch the darts at the top of the back skirt and press toward the centre back. Sew the centre back seam together from the hem edge, as far as the notch for the zip opening, then back tack to reinforce the end of this seam. Stitch the front and back skirts together. Press all the seams open at the side seams.

4 Using a zip foot, stitch a concealed zip into the centre back opening. Fold and press the seam allowance along the two sides of the side opening. Open out the seam allowance and with the right side of the fabric facing, place the opened zip down, matching the teeth to the crease line in the seam allowance. Pin in place. Unfurl the teeth with your fingertips and stitch to the top of the side seam. Back stitch and sew the other side of the zip in place. Carefully thread the zip pull through to the right side and pull up to close.

5 Edge stitch petersham ribbon onto the right side of the top of the skirt. Leave excess petersham at the two ends above the zip; these can be folded back on themselves and the petersham trapped inside the top of the skirt. Press in place and hand stitch the folded ends to the edge of the zip. Overlock or zigzag stitch the base of the skirt, and press up a 4cm hem. To finish, hand stitch the pressed hem in place.