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
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.
We will continue using the new Payhip web store to distribute our patterns.
Our patterns are still free, but now you have the option of making a small contribution if you like our work! We'd appreciate it, and it will help us keep going with new and fun designs like this. Even a dollar or two goes a long way.
Thanks so much in advance for helping us out. You can use any credit card, and you don't need a Paypal account, although you can use one if you have one.
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″
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.
Sew a stitching line lengthwise at 5/8″ on both band sides.
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.
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″.
Start sewing the band where the skirt starts.
Sew to the left of the previous stitching line to iron the seam allowance.
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.
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.
Sew close to the edge without missing the hem and leaving a gap. I suggest taking your time to do it slow but right.
Making The Buttonhole
Fold the skirt in half.
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!
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!
Hi Nancy, Thank you for your appreciation, you have no idea how much it helps. In Pay Hip, you can change the price from 0 to what you would like to donate, but you can also use our Ko.fi Page https://ko-fi.com/soseweasy.
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.
Both selvedges need to be together if you want a long skirt.
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?
I would use Cotton batiste or silk. Polyester would make linen hot in summer.
Thank you for the lovely skirt pattern! Mayra, you are always so generous with you beautiful patterns. Appreciate the gifts 🙂
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.
HI Jan, yes, thank you, that was a typo; I meant to say missing and leaving a gap is easy to do when we are sewing fast.
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!!!!!!!
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!!!!
My pleasure Jaine, happy cruising your skirt will be perfect for it.
Thank you!
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″.
The pattern is short; you must elongate it to accommodate your needs. I am also 5’2″; my skirt is white, and it is 35″ long with a waistband. I used very thin silk and preferred not to use interfacing. I want to keep the soft construction to go with the fabric. You are welcome to use interfacing.
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.
Use any technique you know to sew the waistband. The instructions are so you can make a point at the end of the tie. You need to sew and trim the seam allowance on the wrong side of the fabric so that when you turn it, you have made a slanted point. Hope that helps,
This looks great. I look forward to trying it.
HI Linda, hope you make it and share a photo. Kind Regards,
Can this skirt be made bigger? Closer to 4x?
Yes, it can be. You need to lower the waistline. I suggest using muslin and lowering the waistline in small increments until you find the right fit.
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
Hi Marie, you have to clean your browser and all cookies. There is a luck symbol on the address of the site, and this symbol is only given to secure sites, so you can rest assured I have no bugs or viruses lurking in.
What is the yardage needed for this skirt?
Uppps forgot this critical detail—3 to 3 1/4″ yards for a 34″ long skirt. Thank you!
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!
Depends on the length. For the larger size, 3 1/4 yards are enough.
Have you made this with a lining? Love the pattern!
I have used a very thin linin. Basically, you make two skirts and sew then together with the waist band.
I’m sorry, I flagged this post without meaning to (was trying to get rid of a pop-up). Please unflag this
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?
The skirt needs to make before you can make the buttonhole. Fold the skirt in half. The folded edge is the fold. Measure from the folded edge your 1/4″ waist measurement. I hope that helps; let me know if I can improve my directions.