Sew a full length skirt :Sewing pattern and tutorial

sew full length skirt

This is a tutorial to sew a full length skirt with a lot less fabric than you would usually use – by adding a small piece of fabric on the side. This skirt is quite fitting on the waist but flares gently to a nice fullness at the hem.

It is better to make this skirt with a printed fabric because this additional seam you add would not be visible on a patterned fabric; but you may find it noticeable on a plain fabric.

How to sew the full length skirt 

Step 1 Mark the pattern

Measure the hip round; Also the full length of the skirt you want, starting from the waist (or where you would have the waistband of the skirt) to where you want the hem of the skirt.

The method to calculate the length of the fabric you need for making the skirt is to add the length of the skirt you want and the value of (hip round + 4 inches) divided by 4. With this calculation, For a 39-inch long skirt, for a person with a 34-inch hip round, I need 97-inch long fabric.

Fold this by half and keep in front of you. You will be marking the pattern on this fabric.

 

Fabric for the full length skirt sewing

If the width of the fabric is less, (in my case less than 48.5 inches) I will need to add an extra piece of fabric to the side, to get the full length of the skirt. The width of my fabric is 44 inches so I will need to add that much extra fabric to the folded side of the skirt piece.

Step 2 Cut the skirt piece

Mark the A-B portion = (Hip round + 4 inches ) divided by 4.

Mark this from the corner as in the picture below.

Mark pattern from one corner

Cut out the A-B portion.

Cut out the waist portion

Step 3 Join the extra piece as needed

You have to join a piece of fabric near the fold where you are lacking the length. When you mark the length of the skirt you will know how much you have to add. Keep the fabric you have cut out from the sides for the skirt piece and see how much you need. Mark this (don’t forget to add seam allowance also)

join the extra material

You should cut out and add enough to get the curve of the skirt.

full length skirt sewing pattern

This is how it will look. If you press the seam allowance open the seam will not look conspicuous.

full length skirt

Fold your skirt piece by the middle again and see that the hem matches – if it doesnot, trim the bottom edge as needed.

Curve the hem of the skirt

Step 4 Join the side seams of the skirt

Join the Side edges of your skirt piece.

Step 5 Cut the waistband

Cut out a waistband of the following dimension. Width is 4 inches. Length should be  equal to = top edge of your skirt plus 1 inch extra as seam allowance

Add waistband to the skirt top edge

Step 5 Prepare the waistband

waist band for sewing the full length skirt
Leave some space unstitched in the seam as you join the waistband edges

Keep the short edges of the waistband piece, right sides to the inside and join the edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. The red line is your stitching line. You will be leaving 1 inch unstitched along the seam line. This is to make an opening for inserting the elastic. 

Ensure that you back stitch as you start and finish the stitching.

The waistband sewn as a tube - an opening is there on the seam

Press the seam allowances open.

Now fold the waistband right side out by the middle. Your waistband will look like the picture below. 

OPening on the seam

Keep your waistband along the top edges, Rightsides together and stitch. The side with the hole should be facing to the inside.

attach the waistband to the top edge

You have a waistband like this.

Thread elastic through the opening

Insert elastic through the opening in your waistband. Cut a 3/4 inch or 1/2 inch wide elastic inside – length of your waistband should be your waist round minus 3 inch or what fits your waist snugly.

You can close the opening closed with ladder stitch.

Step 6 Hem the skirt

Hang the skirt for a day to level the skirt, especially if it is a thin fabric before you hem the edges. You can use a rolled hemming foot to make a rolled hem – this is the best hem for the long curved edge of this full skirt.

FULL LENGTH SKIRT -hem finished with a rolled hem

Related post : Sew a Long flared skirt ; Free maxi skirt sewing tutorials

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Author: Sarina Tariq

Hi, I love sewing, fabric, fashion, embroidery, doing easy DIY projects and then writing about them. Hope you have fun learning from sewguide as much as I do. If you find any mistakes here, please point it out in the comments.

7 thoughts on “Sew a full length skirt :Sewing pattern and tutorial”

  1. Anonymous

    Hello, I am very interested in learning to sew. However, my interests are sewing long loose old fashioned skirts, with pockets, but I will have to do it the old fashioned way, because I do not have a sewing machine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Have a Blessed Day.

    Reply
    • Sarina Tariq

      You will need to make small tight stitches consistently otherwise there will be gaps in the seam. Can you check out this post – Hand sewing clothes. But the satisfaction will be like no other. Best wishes.

  2. Moni

    This is great

    Reply
  3. Joy

    Dis is awesome

    Reply
  4. abigail

    i don’t know if you will see this, but i want to make this skirt for a dance, what fabric should i use to allow mobility, but still have it flowy? thank you so much!

    Reply
  5. Moradeyo Ade

    Wow! This is lovely. Thank u so much.

    Reply
    • Sarina

      Thanks

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