Last month I whipped up a quick maxi skirt for Fabric Weekend and Skirt Week. I never ended up entering Skirt Week and then never shared the skirt here. Mostly I’m not thrilled posting my own picture but I got over that so here you go! The best way to make a maxi skirt.
OK, there may be other great ways to make a maxi skirt but I think this is the most flattering and easiest. It doesn’t gather too much fabric at your waist or hips and gives you a nice flowy look without weighing you down. I wrote out a quick tutorial to show you how to draft if for your own measurements. I think even a beginner could do this. Knit fabric can be a bit tricky to work with so if you’re a beginner look for something that doesn’t roll on the edges when cut. Other than that, I think you can do this!
Tools & Supplies:
- Knit fabric – You will create your pattern to determine how much you need. (see this great list of where to buy knit online)
- 1 inch knit elastic – Do not buy No-Roll elastic for this skirt because you will be sewing on the elastic.
- A measuring tape to take your own measurements
- Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Coodinating thread
- Sewing machine or serger
- Ballpoint needle for your sewing machine or serger
- Pins
- Optional: large pattern paper (or use measurements to create the pattern directly on the fabric. read all the steps first so you don’t cut the fabric before the pattern is complete!)
Choosing your knit fabric:
- Find a knit that you can’t see light through, unless you want to wear a slip!
- The fabric should have at least 25-40% stretch. That means if you have a 10″ cut and pull it the way it stretches most, it will grow to be at least 12.5″.
- Avoid fabrics with a lot of 4 way stretch. Your skirt will grow as you wear it.
Tips:
- Wash and dry your fabric and elastic before using
- Optional: Hang your fabric before cutting. (notice in the photo that the striped fabric was not hung before cutting and it stretched some while being worn)
- Matching your stripes isn’t that hard. I’ve written some helpful tips here.
That’s it! You’ve sewn a flattering maxi skirt! I don’t hem mine but feel free to make yours an inch longer to allow for a hem.
UPDATE: How much you spread the pattern is up to you! I would spread so that your hip measurement is met at the hip area, as shown in the diagram.
How much to you recommend to spread apart the panels? Or, how wide should your bottom hem be?
i would like to know how many inches must be left for the splits, at the bottom of the sskirt. THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF INCHES THAT WOULD BE KEPT FOR A MAXI SKIRT AT THE BOTTOM.
THERE ARE TWO SLITS IN FRONT, AND TWO AT THE BACK.
PLEASE REPLY.
NUALA
I would spread the panels until the hip area matches your hip measurement. And I don't hem! But you could add an inch for a hem if you prefer.
The skirt looks great! Very flattering
A is not being used , so why was it mentioned …just curious as I get excited about self drafted patterns
Lakshmi,
It is used to loosely measure how much to spread the skirt. (see the diagram on the right below Slash & Spread)
Great Tutorial. I appreciate a good stripe match up.
Great visuals Andrea! This is a perfect project for every skill level!
Awesome tutorial, Andrea!
Great tutorial Andrea! I love the graphics!
Thanks for posting this great tutorial! I have been looking for a good pattern for Maxi skirts and I think this one is just the one.
Hi I LOVE this pattern and Maxi skirts in general, but I want to work with something a bit firmer than most knits. For example suede, light denim, and Corduroy. What kind of adjustments would you need to make to have this tutorial work for those? Thank you!!
Great pattern. I am going to do this one today.
Thank you for this awesome tutorial! This was the only accurate and easy one I could find. I’m teaching a bunch of teenage girls how to make maxi skirts and you made it so simple and easy to teach! Thank you for your work!
I am looking for a DIY maxi skirt that can be made out of wool or blend for winter. I am overweight and do not want a gathered waist. I have some knit jersey maxis for summer and am wondering, with my limited sewing knowledge, if you could put a knit section attached above the woven to end up with a waist section like on a knit maxi?
if you’re adding 1 (for seam allowance presumably) and dividing by two (because there are two panels) for C, shouldn’t you do the same with A when you’re measuring where you spread it to? Otherwise the difference is huge and you’ll have a ton of gathering. Is that what you’re going for? Thanks.
Awesome article thanks for sharing.
Great pattern, I need to make a fast skirt to wear to a confirmation tomorrow and this will be great. I have some lace with a 2 way stretch that will be ideal, I’ll add a cotton lining. I was thinking of using a wide stretch lace (used for making underwear etc.)instead of elastic as it will be more comfortable around the waist. This pattern will be ideal so many thanks.
This skirt is super flattering! Thanks for creating this tutorial! The graphics you made really make it easy to understand.