Easy Adjustable Wrap Skirt Pattern – Full Tutorial

easy wrap skirt

I know it is a huge claim, but yes, this is a tutorial I will be trying to make the easiest and most elegant wrap skirt you will find. I am not saying this is the only elegant wrap skirt; those living in Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia are accustomed to wearing silk wrap skirts. Traditionally these are simple rectangular shape skirts with no side seams, but what makes them look luxurious is the fabric used.

Alexa (not her real name), is a friend of mine who has recently been diagnosed with a fatty liver, sludge, and a 3/8″(1cm) stone in her gallbladder; she is also insulin resistant due to being gluten intolerant. Doctors have told her that she needs to remove her gallbladder, but she is determined to keep it. So far, she has lost 7 pounds (3,2 Kg) but has a long way to go. Her current waist is 36,” but she needs to drop it to a minimum of 30″ to be considered in the normal range for her height.

This is my way of helping my friend. I am making this adjustable wrap skirt so she can wear it during Spring, Summer, and Fall while she loses weight.

In our wrap skirt version, we will not have any side seams.

We will attach an extended waistband with a buttonhole to accommodate many waist measurements.

The key to making this wrap skirt is to use a fabric that is at least 54″ (137cm) wide; the wider the material, the longer the skirt.

Materials

  • Satin Silk, Georgette, Silk back crepe (amount depends on your height)
  • Thread to match

Tools

  • A meter (optional) to lengthen the skirt pattern
  • A tape measure
  • Pins
  • Fabric weights
  • Buttonhole foot
  • A rotary cutter (Optional but handy to cut a smooth hemline.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

This is a fairly simple project that will teach you some great skills. The only slightly difficult part is working with such flowy (and elegant) materials. You can learn more about satin and silk in our recent article here.

Fabric Recommendations From Amazon




Pattern Layout

easy wrap skirt

Preparing Your Fabric

I have gone through this many times in this blog. The first thing you need to do before starting a sewing project is to prepare the fabric; below is a step-by-step list of how to accomplish this vital task.

  • Wash, dry, and iron the fabric.
  • True, the fabric. Truing the fabric is when you ensure the edges where the material was cut are not distorted and on the grain.

Below is a post was specially written for anyone who wishes to avoid mistakes when cutting fabric.

How To Download And Print Your Wrap Skirt Pattern

Please use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which is entirely free—print on Actual Size and Landscape Mode.

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Sizes

This wrap skirt is designed for someone with an hourglass, triangle, or rectangle figure.

Below is the way where you would place the buttonhole.

Choose A if your waist is between 25″ to 35″.

Choose B if your waist is between 36″ and 46.”

How To Cut Your Wrap Skirt Pattern

The pattern is drafted on the fold; I use the hem to ensure a straight grainline. You must fold the fabric on a straight grainline.

How To Sew Your Wrap Skirt

This is a relatively easy skirt to sew; we will make the waistband first, sew the edges, apply the waistband, hem the skirt, and finally make the buttonholes.

Drafting And Sewing The Waistband

To make the waistband for size A, cut a strip of fabric that is   106″ X 5″. For size B, cut a strip of cloth or join two pieces that measure 116″ X 5″

easy wrap skirt
Waistband Cutting Measurements

Sewing The Waistband To The Skirt

SEWING TIP: Below is the easiest way to apply a waistband.

Iron the waistband and fold it lengthwise to make a band, wrong sides together; in other words, the print will be visible.

wrap skirt

easy wrap tutorial

Sew a stitching line lengthwise at 5/8″ on both band sides.

easy wrap skirt

Iron the band seam allowance leaving the stitching line on the inside of the band.

The stitching lines should not be seen when you fold the band back.

Turn the band inside out. We will sew a diagonal stitch to create a point, this part is optional, but I think the waistband looks better when it ends in a point.

Sew a straight line since this is the band's beginning.

Trim leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn the band. Iron.

easy skirt

easy wrap skirt

Mark the middle of the band and the skirt. Pin the band to the skirt print or right sides together; pin the band starting in the middle and work your way to the edges. Sew at 5/8″.

easy wrap skirt

Start sewing the band where the skirt starts.

easy wrap skirt

Sew to the left of the previous stitching line to iron the seam allowance.

easy wrap skirt

Trim the skirt side of the seam allowance by half, do not cut the waistband.

Fold the waistband back and match and pin the edges as perfectly as you can.

I am starting to sew the band right side up. Sew as close to the edge as possible.

easy wrap skirt

easy wrap skirt

easy wrap skirt

easy wrap skirt

Finishing The Skirt

Hang the skirt on the mannequin overnight; if you do not have a mannequin use a hanger. This will allow the threads to relax, especially if you are using a loose woven fabric. Then you can trim the hemline before hemming the skirt.

Use any of the following ways to hem the skirt below.

Here is what I did, I sewed two stitching rows 3/8″.

I ironed the hem on the second stitching row. This will make sewing the hem easier.

easy wrap skirt

Sew close to the edge without missing the hem and leaving a gap. I suggest taking your time to do it slow but right.

easy wrap skirt

Making The Buttonhole

Fold the skirt in half.

easy wrap skirt

Take 1/4 of your waist measurement. r example, your waist is 26″. A 1/4 of that measurement would be 6 1/2″. Asure 6 1/2″ from the fold of the skirt and place the buttonhole there.

Make a buttonhole that is 3/4″ in length. Sew it either on the left for right-handed people or on the right for left-handed people.

This is a skirt to take you from one size to another, whether you have decided to lower your waist measurement and need clothes that can take you through the journey or you have become pregnant and need clothes that are beautiful and can expand with your weight. I hope you can find this easy wrap skirt pattern useful and you can share it with me on your social media your skirts. You can tag me using #soseweasyoffical

Let's keep the world together one stitch at a time! Until next time!


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Nancy Lovitz
Nancy Lovitz

How do I make a donation for all the free patterns you offer? Maybe you could email me the payhip link. I don’t see it anywhere. Thanks!

Maddie
Maddie

Am I doing something wrong? When I lay the pattern on the fold line, there’s not enough fabric to reach the other side of the pattern. It’s 60″ fabric, and I’m folding the selvages together.

Kathleen
Kathleen

Hi. I have a lovely piece of linen but it is thin and I think I would like to make a slip to go with. What works best for slips under linen skirts – a cotton or polyester fabric?

DebM
DebM

Thank you for the lovely skirt pattern! Mayra, you are always so generous with you beautiful patterns. Appreciate the gifts 🙂

Jan
Jan

I am anxious to try this, but don’t understand the instructions — Sew close to the edge without sleeping the hem, which is under Use any of the following ways to hem the skirt below. Is sleeping the correct term. Thank you, I always enjoy reading your email.

Karen Boyd
Karen Boyd

I appreciate what you are doing for your friend, and many of us that have changing waste bands. I have a lot in common with her. I can’t resist making one comment that I wish you would share with her. I resisted getting my galls out for many reasons and for many years (decades). I will spare you my many details, unless she want to hear them. But I finally got it out and I wish, wish, wish I got is out much sooner. I could have saved years of misery. Among other things, it cured my irritable bowel syndrome. The other thing the surgeon told me is that is safer to get it out when you are NOT in the midst of an attack. I know this is not my business, but I am so glad I got it out!!!!!!!

Jaine Vaughn
Jaine Vaughn

I have 3 double layer silk skirts that I bought soon after moving to Las Vegas. I’m so glad to see your pattern and will definitely try it soon! I was reading the comments looking for yardage and was happy to see the answer before I asked! We’re cruising in a few weeks and I hope to make it before that. I’ll have to get on my computer to print the pattern. Thank you so much!!!!

Jaine Vaughn
Jaine Vaughn
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Thank you!

Irene
Irene

I’m going to make this skirt. I had a question about the waistband. I assume that the long side is parallel to the selvage/grainline if the fabric is only 60″ wide? You didn’t mention using any interfacing for the waistband. I know that it will roll down (thank you tummy) so I also plan to use at least a light weight interfacing to give the waistband some stability. I also do not see reference to how to make this skirt shorter. I’m 5’2″ and this skirt would likely drag on the ground based on an average pattern for someone 5’6″.

judy
judy

I don’t understand the tie! It says to fold wrong sides together and stitch 5/8′ on both sides!? then turn inside out! Doesn’t make sense to me
Can someone explain an easier explanation.

Linda
Linda

This looks great. I look forward to trying it.

Linda H
Linda H

Can this skirt be made bigger? Closer to 4x?

Marie
Marie

I have been following your site for many years, I love your blouse patterns I am a size 22, and they fit so well.
I am wondering if the wrap-around skirt could go on a round all-around person!
I don’t know if it is my firewall or not but I have to jump loops to get to patterns. It always tells me that there is a danger of opening that page!
Thank you very much, for one with a very small income it is a God-sent site.
Marie

Sandra
Sandra

What is the yardage needed for this skirt?

Kim Antonsen
Kim Antonsen

I love this pattern! I will make it soon. How much fabric should I buy for the larger size? I didn’t see any instruction in the tutorial about fabric other than a wide width. thanks!

Angela
Angela

Have you made this with a lining? Love the pattern!

Rebekka
Rebekka
Reply to  Angela

I’m sorry, I flagged this post without meaning to (was trying to get rid of a pop-up). Please unflag this

Claudia
Claudia

I’m intrgued by this simple design! Please clarify the instructions.
You write: Take 1/4 of your waist measurement. r example, your waist is 26″. A 1/4 of that measurement would be 6 1/2″. Asure 6 1/2″ from the fold of the skirt and place the buttonhole there.

I understand the 6 1/2 inch measurement on the waitband, but where is the FOLD of the skirt?