TRENDING: SKIRTS
I declare this the season of the skirt. Last year we saw tailored trousers trump all other styles, and this year we are celebrating skirts. They are all over the high street, and our indie designers have been delivering some clever and achingly cool, super-wearable styles.
So if you choose to make just one piece, I recommend selecting a skirt. I feel like skirts are a really easy piece to style. Wear them with blouses, t-shirts, jumpers and jackets. Pair them with boots, heels or trainers… the sky is the limit for how you wear yours. How useful. I’ve whittled the skirt sewing patterns down to 10 that I think represent the best of what is in the shops at the moment.
The high street is FULL of skirts this season. With pockets, pleats, tulle and fullness, they are delighting me with their details. The most popular new hem length is the maxi, but it’s not the floaty boho kind, it’s the cool more structured denim maxis that are reigning supreme. The skirt seems to be key to many of this season’s looks, and you guessed it, we have an awesome selection of patterns to compete. We can sew our own, team!
The Assembly Line are known for their clean lines and modern aesthetic so if that’s your jam, this could be the skirt for you. The Asymmetric Midi features back darts to ensure a good fit and a curved waistband that closes with snap buttons. It looks great styled with the TAL Pleat Front Shirt or cosy jumpers, with tights or without, it will work for lots of different occasions. I particularly like the choice of checked wool for a warming winter option.
Sizing: XS – L or XL – 3XL (approx. UK 8 – 18 or UK 18/20 – 28/30)
This one had me at a peek of the pocket. I just knew it was going to be good. The True Bias Blair Skirt has a feminine feel without being girly. The best part is that you have three lengths to choose from, the longer of which look great styled with a few buttons open. Blair is fitted through the waist and hips and has a straight fit to the hem and there is an optional self-fabric belt. The maxi length is bang on trend and takes me back to a denim maxi skirt I had when I was younger that I absolutely adored.
Sizing: US 0 – 18 or US 14 – 32 (approx. UK 6/8 – 18/20 or UK 16 – 34)
Another release I got very excited about (as usual!) was the Friday Pattern Company Bernadette Skirt. You can’t help but gasp at the sweet belt bag that sets this design apart and wonder what you might keep in there. The skirt itself has a lovely pleated front that gives you a little extra volume without the fullness and it’s darted in the back which helps with fitting. Designed for mid-weight woven fabrics, you can play around with structure or drape to get a different feel. I think it would look great with jumpers tucked into the nipped-in waist.
Sizing: XS – 7X (approx. UK 6 – 34)
Beginner sewers… I’ve got something good for you and this one doesn’t even require pattern pieces. The Merchant & Mills Mathilde Skirt comes with a simple set of instructions to make your own zero to minimal-waste skirt. This pattern includes one pattern piece (for the in-seam pocket) only, you simply cut rectangles to your measurement and sew. The deep elastic waistband and optional patch pockets give this simple skirt some flair. Style it with trendy Chelsea boots and a chunky knit jumper and you will feel warm, but look cool.
Sizing: UK 6 – 28
The Maker’s Atelier somehow manages to fuse timeless style with being on-trend and this pattern had me very excited upon its arrival. Maxi skirts are all over the high street this season and this pattern gives you all those details in a piece that won’t date. The Maxi Skirt has a deep kick pleat at the back and an optional kick pleat at the front depending on how spilt-y you want to go. The clever design feature is side seams that are swung forward to create an attractive silhouette, how smart. Style with a shirt for casual cool, a blouse for an elegant evening look or a sparkly party top for festive celebrations.
Sizing: UK 4 – 20
Anybody else remember how much they loved THAT tulle skirt Carrie wore on Sex and the City (And Just Like That…)? This pattern gives you the Carrie look in a very wearable (and fun) way. A perfect party piece, the Style Arc Miranda Skirt is made up of two layers – the top being to delicate tulle or chiffon and the lining can be made from wovens or knits. It’s a pretty easy sew so you could still whip this up for the festive season and get loads of wear out of it. Style it with a sweatshirt for a casual outfit or an Ogden Cami for partying.
The Chanel exhibition has signalled a move back to smart and feminine suits. Tweed has been all over the high street and matchy-matchy skirts and jackets have made their comeback. The Bella Loves Patterns Dulce Skirt is everything you need from a smart mini skirt. It’s shaped with two darts at the front and back and falls into a slightly a-line shape., The skirt is fully lined with a bagged-out lining and a separate internal waistband which has bias binding on the bottom edge for a luxurious finish. Wear it with the Chanel-Esq Freddie Jacket or uber-cool Fran Blazer.
Sizing: UK 6/8 – 18/20
The wrap-round mini seems to be all over the high street. A great style for wearing with cosy knitted tights, this skirt will be a fun one to sew. The Puff and Pencil Clueless wrap-around skirt sits high on the waist and features two hidden snap buttons to close it. As someone the film Clueless had a big coming-of-age impact on, I get the reference and I am here for it! It looks great in a plain fabric to show off the stitching line but is almost irresistible not to sew it up in a tartan or plaid fabric. Puff and Pencil patterns come with QR codes for additional video instructions if you prefer watching as you sew.
Sizing: XXS – XXL (approx. UK 6 – 22/24)
Bias skirts have been a staple for some time now and are a very useful piece to have in your handmade wardrobe. Whether you dress them up or down, bias slip skirts look cool and elegant all at once. They look particularly great in satin fabrics styled with contrasting chunky knits and boots for winter. The Tessuti Fabrics Evie Bias Skirt is spot on for this look. The pattern includes two versions – the first is finished with a bound waistline and side zipper opening, and the second is a pull-on version with a scalloped elasticised waist. Either make for a great little party skirt.
Sizing: AUS 6 – 18 (approx. UK 8/10 – 20)
I’ll leave you with what I think is possibly the most useful and universally appealing skirt of them all. The Atelier Jupe Stina Skirt delivers more than your average elasticated waist skirt. The inverted pleats (front and back have three inverted pleats each) give the skirt fullness without bulk. My favourite design detail is that the pockets are hidden in a pleat in the side seam – you heard me… hidden pockets! I can see this skirt being so easy to make and wear. I’ve seen so many of this style on the high street, but none as good as this pattern and you get to choose the fabric to make it it. I am sold!
Sizing: EU 34 – 52 (approx. UK 8/10 – 24/26)
