While I was learning to sew with stretch fabrics and taking the excellent Sewing with Knits class (see the class review here and 25% discount), I got lots of knit remnants to practice on, and one day I simply sewed up a tube, added a fold over waist and made a skirt. It all took no more than 30 minutes from opening the door to my sewing room and leaving wearing my new skirt. In truth, I never did wear it a lot because I'd made it rather too tight, the fabric was very thin and it showed a VPL in the rear. But the theory was good.
Today, I'm having another go and refining my sizing to make a skirt that is the same principle, a 30 minutes easy skirt, but this time with a more everyday fit. I think you'll like it. In fact, if you've never sewn clothes before, I recommend making this your very first try. I'll hold your hand the whole way.
2 options – make your own or use my pattern
There are 2 options today. You can either take your own measurements, transfer them to the fabric and draw your own custom pattern (I show you how below)
OR
you can simply print the pattern I've already drawn for you and cut around it. (Quicker and easier, but you may need to adjust it a little to fit.)
Watch me do it
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The 30 minute easy skirt pattern
Materials:
- * a piece of stretchy fabric wide enough to fit around your hips and long enough from waist to knee (or however long you want your skirt)
- * You can find the Fabric I USED HERE
- * matching thread
- * 1 inch wide elastic, enough to go around your waist
- * Download the ready-made pattern to use (see bottom of this article), or a tape and fabric marker to draw your own
Drawing your own pattern
You'll want to take some very simple measurements so get a tape measure handy. Measure as follows:
- * your natural waist at the narrowest part
- * the widest part of your body, around your bottom, hips or thighs, whichever is greater
- * the length you want your skirt from the waist down.
Don't pull your tape measure too tight and try to kid yourself, or your finished skirt will fit the measurements you want to be, not those you actually are and will end up too tight. If the skirt is too loose at the end, you can always make it smaller, but not bigger, so keep this in mind!
Now lay out your fabric. Fold it so that the printed or ‘right' side is facing in towards each other and the selvedge edges are lined up. You can even place a couple of pins there to keep it all neat.
Let's assume the top edge of the fabric is going to be your waist. Make sure it's cut straight. Take the measurement for the length of your skirt and add on 2 inches. Measure down from the top of your fabric this amount, and draw a straight line all the way across. Use a chalk marker or a disappearing fabric pen. This is the bottom of your skirt. Cut along this line from one side to the other. Discard the bottom section.
Take your hip measurement and add on 3 inches. We need to add some extra to allow for the seams on the side and to make sure your skirt isn't skin-tight. Open out your fabric. Measure along the top and bottom of the fabric, draw a line top to bottom, making sure it's square, and then cut off the extra.
Fold the remaining fabric back in half and cut down the fold so you now have two pieces – a skirt front and back.
Fold one piece of the fabric in half. Measure down 9 inches from the top edge and make a line across. This is the hip level. The widest part of the skirt comes here. 
From the fold at the top, measure one quarter of your waist, plus 1/2 inch. So if your waist is 28 inches, divide by 4 to get 7, then add on 1/2 inch to get 7 1/2 inches. Mark a one inch line down from the top.
Now comes the curve that is going to set this skirt apart from other 30 minute tube skirts and make sure you get a good fit without unflattering bunching around the waist. You need to draw a curve that represents the curve of your body from your hip to your waist. Join up the point for your hip with the end of that 1 inch line. Make sure its a nice smooth curve and doesn't make a point at your hip!
That's it – your 30 minute easy skirt pattern is drawn right onto the fabric. Cut along that curve and the line at the waist, through both layers of fabric. Transfer the shape over to your other piece and your skirt front and back is ready to sew.
Sewing your 30 minute easy skirt pattern
Either download the ready-made pattern and use that to cut your fabric, or draw your pattern right onto the fabric like I did above. Place your two pieces of fabric with the right sides facing and pin down both sides. Stitch down the side from top to bottom. Make a nice smooth curve at the hip – no points!
Take the skirt to your ironing board. Press those side seams open. Turn up 1/2 inch at the bottom hemline and press. Turn it up again to enclose the raw edge and press. Sew all the way round with a straight stitch.
Take the elastic and pass it around your waist. Adjust it until it feels comfortable and cut it to the right length. Mark the center, then mark a quarter way from each end to make 4 even sections. Attach the two ends side by side using a zig-zag stitch on your machine.
Fold your skirt with the side seams together to find the center at the front and back. On the inside of your skirt, match the join in the elastic with one side seam, match the center of the elastic with the other side seam and match the quarter marks with the skirt center front and back. The elastic may be a little shorter than the skirt fabric. That's OK.
Stitch the elastic to the skirt waist, close to the edge. You'll need to use a stitch that stretches, so check your machine manual. Try a triple stretch stitch, a 3-step zig-zag or a regular zig-zag stitch. Stretch the elastic a little bit as you sew to match the fabric, if needed.
Turn the elastic over, making a neat crisp edge at the top. Stitch again through the elastic to hold it in place inside the skirt.
You are done. Your first try might take you more than 30 minutes, but once you see how easy this is to sew, you'll be looking right away through your stash of fabric or dashing out to the shop for more fabric so you can make another one.
Try a soft jersey for casual wear, a bright print for hot summer days, something with sequins for a night out, or just a plain black or navy for wearing to the office. This one skirt will take you anywhere!
Download the 30 minute easy skirt pattern
You can download the pattern from my design account on Payhip. Add it to your cart and check out - its FREE. The pattern will be saved in your Pattern Library safely until you are ready to sew, then you can download and print it at any time. The ready-made pattern covers hip sizes 34 to 50 inches.
Enjoy!
Thank you for this tutorial. Gives me confidence I can see a skirt for myself.
Thanks so much for the Easy Skirt pattern. I’m wondering if this would work with a non-stretchy fabric. Of course I would allow an inch or two additionally for ease. I don’t have any stretchy fabric in my stash for this!
Thanks again. I love your newsletter!
Thank you so much for the pattern! This was my first attenpt at sewing with jersey and its turned out really well and i now have a fab new skirt! I had to redo the seams a bit as they were a bit too curved for me (made me looknlike i had pockets stixming out) so i sewed them again with a slightly striaghter curve, using a a shop bought skirt as guidance and fits perfectly 🙂
Made one in black about 25 years ago. Even simpler – no waist shaping and the entire length of the remnant I bought. Still wearing it about 15-20 times a year. A great idea!
This pattern is brilliant & so easy to follow. Any chance you can tell me where you bought the fabric from that you used as I absolutely love it x
Would this make a good pencil skirt? Yes, no, or maybe sew?
This would make a good mass produced looking skirt. So it is a Yes.
[…] “30 minute skirt” HAHAHAHAHAHA allow me to wipe away tears of laughter. NO. Unless you’re an “amateur” seamstress the way the people on The Great British Baking Show are “amateur” bakers, and then sure, 30 minutes. For me, an actual amateur (as in beginner, not as in “I could be doing this professionally and getting paid for it, I just happen not to be”), it took about three and a half hours in two separate sessions – one in September, and one in March, because in between we moved house and everything unrelated to that was on hold. […]
I got fed up with clothing that didn’t fit me and started hunting for patterns, and help learning to sew. I found your blog and have been following for awhile, but finally got up the courage to actually sew something.
I am now wearing my just completed skirt! YAY!!! This is my first clothing sewing project since High School under the supervision and guidance of my mother (a long time ago.) You’re right – this is a great first project – it fits well, and your instructions were awesome to follow. I ended up with a few things I’ll do differently next time I make this, but overall – YAY! Thank you.
amazing, thanks so much. will give it a try during the week.,
Hi made this pattern yesterday with a very geometric patterned fabric and am really pleased with it! It’s my first ever piece of clothing made from scratch. might even try a sheath dress next
The pattern and instructions were really simple and clear
Thanks
Congrats Susan. Glad you enjoyed the pattern.
Hi, I just started with sewing and I find your blog very helpful. I decided to try this skirt as my first clothing project and it went pretty okay, I did need to take it in some 2 inches as it was much too wide for me in the end, I’m not sure why. But also, I bought 1 inch wide elastic band and when I folded the fabric over, it bunched just below the band, so I think maybe I need to leave 2 inches long mark for the waist narrowing on top side, not one. I’d love to hear your suggestion.
Hi Jules, congratulations on your first project! Our bodies are not the same even when the measurements are, there are so many things at play when you make cloths and starts at the beginning of the process. Is the elastic too tight? did yo cut the fabric on the grain? what kind of fabric is it. To answer this questions and more, please read this article and keep in mind on your next project.
https://so-sew-easy.com/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-cutting-fabric/
Mayra
Thank you Mayra. I have cut the fabric exactly as shown in the tutorial, the top is vertical to the selvage and precisely following grain line. Fabric is…English is not my native language and online dictionary is not very helpful, so I cannot tell you exactly what it is. It is a stretchy, medium weight mixture of natural and manmade fibers. The waist is not too tight, if anything it is a bit too wide, but wearable. I think problem lays in the fact that I have made the top of the hip curve, near to the waist, too round. I still have 2 pieces of same fabric but in different colours, so I think I’ll just redo.
Thank you for the link, I will make sure to look into it before I do any more damage, err, practice.
I made another one this evening. Forgot to put in seam allowance in width. It fits perfectly. I feel weird 😀
I got the free pattern about a year ago, hadn’t had the time to even download it , but now that I am retired, I will now have the time to make me not only one but several, for I have purchased different materials. Looking forward to making them
Interesting. Thanks for your reply Deby. I imagine a print fabric would also help if it was a bit of an issue for some body types. Great blog!
Great tutorial video! Thank you!
I’m curious if the side seams hang straight and perpendicular to the floor because the front and back pieces are cut identical. Most patterns allow extra width for the back piece.
This is intended to be a casual and form fitting skirt so for most body types its not a big issue. In pattern design, the skirt front is actually usually drafted a little wider than the back because it gives a more appealing look, than drafting the back bigger. But this is one of those things where your unique body shape has to be taken into account if you have a more extreme shape. In this type of skirt, its not too important but in a very formal woven pencil skirt you would need to muslin and correct those side seams to your shape for the perfect vertical seams.
Will this work with a non-stretchy fabric, like a regular cotton print? Thank you so much for this tutorial. Makes a beginner like me feel confident in trying new things.
Not for this one, but I do have an alternative for you if you want to make a similar skirt in a non-stretch. Again you draft up your own pattern from the measurements. Check out the Sew A Skirt series here – https://so-sew-easy.com/how-to-choose-fabric/
Wonderful, thank you!
Deby, I just finished by So Sew Easy 30 minute skirt. I am re-entering the sewing world after a 25 year break. I started making this skirt with a McCall’s pattern. According to the measurements on the pattern, I need a size 18. Well, I found your website and drew your pattern directly onto the fabric. I ended up taking 10 inches from the waist (2.5in for each of the four seams) and 4 inches from the hips. I basted the skirt together after drawing your pattern onto it and it fit perfect! I will be making many more of these for myself and my daughter. There’s no need to buy skirts anymore. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ll post a pic soon.
I used to find that too with the big 4 pattern companies. I wasted so much time and fabric on making things that were huge and thinking it was me making a mistake, but as you can see, their patterns are crazy! So glad you got a good result and welcome back to the wonderful world of sewing!
Hi Deby,
it would be a genuine pity if such a great act would stay in the closet because of vpl in the back. Did you try matching it with a thong yet? This should solve some problems in the back though. There are also free patterns like the lacey thong from Melissa: http://www.fehrtrade.com/article/676/free-lacey-thong-panty-pattern which might be tried and tested.
Deb, thank you for your wonderful tutorials. You have made a subject I was sure I couldn’t do (sewing), doable! I made two skirts from this example for my daughter. The first one I cut, I didn’t know about how to lay your pieces out according to the stretch of the fabric. I cut it on the non-stretchy side. So, at the advice from some other sewing friends, I used an excess piece and re-cut the skirt and added a slight ruffle layer. I was able to do this by using your tutorial for the crossover top https://so-sew-easy.com/free-crossover-top-pattern/ to “ease” the fabric into the the top layer. It turned out so cute!! Thanks for making sewing accessible to me. 🙂
That’s wondeful Sharma, I’m glad you found it useful and had some success. If you want to share what you’ve made, come join us over in the sewing chat group. We’d love to see. https://www.facebook.com/groups/soseweasychat/
Hi Deby,
Love your site. I am in the middle of making this skirt – I had made a previous elastic waistband skirt so I modified that pattern using your instructions and am using some black cotton knit (jersey?) fabric I had on hand. However, I didnt quite follow the directions with regards to pulling the elastic along to match up and was in my head working as if it was a casing. So I did not have enough fabric and it is out of sorts. Now I have to unpick it, however, it is proving to be quite challenging – I have never sewn knits before – my thread is the same color as my skirt, both black. I can barely see where the thread is. I had already made a mistake which made little holes in the thread along the waistband so it is already a little challenged and I am trying to be delicate. Any tips or do I just keep going? Thanks!
Oh no, I know how you feel. I hate unpicking. I once had a black brocade dress, made a mistake and simply couldn’t tell with my ‘old lady eyes’which was fabric and which was thread. In the end I had to take it to my local sewing store for them to unpick for me. I was so embarrassed! Sadly I don’t think there is any easy way. I wish I knew the trick. Maybe you could share a picture on the sewing chat group and ask for their suggestions. It’s a fountain of sewing tips and knowledge! https://www.facebook.com/groups/soseweasychat/
Thanks for the pattern. After I made my son some PJs, I whipped up a skirt with a leftover bit of fabric (<yd) figuring on a wearable muslin. It was workable but sort of plain so I grabbed a stencil and some fabric paint. Then I decided to add some patch pockets. Turned out to be a little rustic but pretty cute, and a fun project! I will definitely wear it this summer, and make more of these when I find the right fabrics.
Beautiful fabric! Beautiful Skirt!!!!
Hi, I absolutely love this skirt – thanks for posting. Can you please tell me where you got your material from, I love the design, very retro.
I got it from FabricMart.com. They tend to have batches, and then sold out so you may not find it there now sadly. But they are always worth checking out from time to time and sign up to their newsletter for great sales offers.
Thanks Deby, I’ll definitely have a look at what they have to offer.
Just found this on Pinterest and can’t wait to try it! About how much fabric do you think I need to buy for a Medium sized skirt? A yard? 2 yards? I don’t want to buy too much, but want to have enough.
I should think 1 yard would be enough. So long as it is wide enough to wrap around your hips with some left for a seam allowance, then it should be fine and the length of the fabric needs to be the length of the skirt plus allowance for the elastic at the top and the hem at the bottom.
One yard was perfect, thanks so much for the quick reply and guidance! I made a skirt yesterday and am wearing it today. I’ve gotten so many compliments and I’m so proud to say “I made it!” This is the first clothing I’ve ever sewn and it looks great, thanks so much!!!
I am so delighted for you Jennifer. It makes me very happy that you are happy. Would you like to show us a picture? I’d love to see what you made. You can upload to the Show and Tell section of the new forum. If you aren’t already a member, you can read more about it here.
Thank you so much. It is clear, easy to follow, yet thorough and doesn’t look thrown together in half an hour. Even someone who works and has other responsibilities can do it. It is really fun too. Thanks
Thank you for such an easy but effective pattern, made one up in a sequinned jersey for a christmas party, will be making lots more x
That’s good to know. I have some sequinned knit and wondered how it would work.
Perfect. I have been wanting to make a skirt, but the pattern I have has shrunk or maybe I have grown. Anyway this will make it so much easier. Thank you.
Thank you for the great tutorial. Already made 2 skirts and wearing one right now.
Thank you so much for this very EASY knit skirt tutorial. This is my first time sewing knit and it came out perfect! I’m a newbie so this is a huge confidence booster. I thank you.
Yay – that’s awesome. Makes me so happy to hear about your success. Onwards and upwards to your next project. Do you have any pictures? You can email to me or load them on the Facebook page.
Beautiful!! Thanks sooooo much!!
I just have to say you are so talented and you really inspire me. I am new to sewing, and I love it, but it’s so frustrating wanting to be good at it first thing! Your style is so classic but with an edge, you know? I could look at your site all day! Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow, thanks Joey, that’s very kind of you to say. I wish you all the best with your sewing adventure. Sounds like you are hooked like me.
P.S.: I am IN LOVE with your shoes!!!! <3
Hi Deby!
Thank you for another free pattern! You are SO kind!
I like your skirt fabric very much! So cute!
Now I am going to try and make one for myself… You can’t imagine… I have 3 BIG bags of fabrics that I have been buying all over the years, and didn’t make anything because I was afraid of ruin them!
I’m going to give it a try!
Kisses from Portugal!
Oh I know how you feel. I have some ‘special fabrics’ I’ve bought too, including one beautiful piece of 100% silk, and I’m to scared to cut them as well. just think they are there waiting or me when my sewing skills are good enough. I’ll know when the time is right! Until then, they are nice to look at.
Another GREAT pattern and video! Thank you so, sew much!!! Your skirt is so cute. Just sent your blog to my daughter and told her she may want to sign up.
Thanks Robin. I’m wearing this skirt out to Sushi night tonight – plenty of room for seconds with the elastic waist!
Don’t be messin’ up that cute figure!
Thanks so much Deb for sharing this pattern and tutorial. I can’t wait to make one. Very cute skirt and nice easy pattern. You explain things so well. Thanks again.
I think it’s fabulous how you’ve shown people how to make the pattern for the skirt themselves and given them the easy option of using your pattern. Great fabric for this style of skirt, Deby. Looks great!!!
Thanks Pam. It’s a great place for someone to start if they do want to learn more about how to make a simple pattern. And by drawing it right onto the fabric, this is so quick!
Love this. Saves me trying to work it out. Quick and easy. Thanks for sharing.
I love that this was such an easy pattern.. I think I can even do that. Will let you know if I succeed. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I’d love to see how you get on Pat. Will you load your completed project to Craftsy? Or send me a photo and I can share it on the Facebook page. t always makes my day when I see something made with one of my patterns.
That’s almost too simple! I love print on that skirt fabric – it’s so cheerful.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones!