How to Draft an A-Line Skirt with Elastic Waistband?

Today I am sharing the pattern draft and sewing tutorial to make an A-line skirt with elastic waistband. Since I am using the elastic waistband, there are no darts in this pattern and also no opening for zipper or hooks.

Drafting this skirt is very easy that even a beginner can do it, as we need only two main measurements: the hip round and the skirt length. (Waist round is needed but it's just to decide the length of the elastic for the waistband.) Let's see how to draft the skirt.

We will draft the quarter part of the entire skirt (this is what we usually do when we draft sewing patterns), and then use this pattern to cut the front and back of the skirt each on a folded fabric. In the below pattern drafting image, I have shown at which side we should keep the fabric folded when we cut the patterns out.)

Measurements needed:

1. Skirt length (from waist to the length you want---this is waist to knee, in my case, minus the waistband width, which is 1.375 inch) 
2. Hip round
3. Waist round






Pattern draft:

Skirt (front and back):

A-B = hip round/4

A-C = 3/4 inch
Join B and C with a curvy line.
C-D = skirt length
D-E = hip round/4 + 3 to 4 inches (for ladies sizes, add 5 to 7 inches)

(Note: If we use the waist measurement for A-B, we won't be able to pull the skirt up as it will be too tight at the hip as there is no opening for fastenings like a zipper anywhere in the skirt. That's why we use the hip measurement. This is applicable for non-stretchy fabrics.)

E-F = 3/4 inch (for ladies, this is 1 to 1.5 inches)
Shape hemline D-F.


Waistband:

A-B = C-D = hip round

A-C = B-D = usually 3.25 inches






Add seam and hem allowances to the pattern pieces. 

(Note: The seam allowance at the bottom of the waistband should be 0.375 inch. I have wrongly marked it as 0.25 inch in the figure above. Sorry for that.)

Click this link if you are looking for a free printable PDF sewing pattern for an A-line skirt in kids' sizes 1 to 12 years.

Let's start sewing:

Cut two pieces for the skirt (for front and back) each on fold.

With right sides facing, join the sides of the skirt.

Open and press the seams flat. Serge or zigzag the edges, or trim the edges using pinking shears.

Hem the bottom of the skirt.  First, fold 1/4 inch to the wrong side and press well.

Again make an 1-inch fold, press well, and sew.

Now admire the neat hemline you have just made.

Turn the skirt inside out.

Your skirt is almost ready. All you need to do is, attach the waistband and feed the elastic into it.

Fold the waistband in half lengthwise with right sides facing, and join the raw edges leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

 
Pin the lower edge of the waistband to the top edge of the skirt and sew, removing the pins as you sew around.

Trim the edges with pinking shears or serge it.

Fold the upper edge of the waistband 1/4 inch and press.

Fold down again to cover the seam and sew, leaving a 3-inch opening to insert the elastic.

Feed the elastic through the opening (length of the elastic = waist measurement - 1 inch, width = 1.25 inch).

Overlap the ends of the elastic by 0.5 inch and place a few stitches over the overlap to secure the ends of the elastic.

Sew the opening closed and that's it, you have made a cute A-line skirt.

 

See you again with yet another tutorial.

You can find lots of free PDF printable sewing patterns on this page on my blog. You can download and use them to create your own clothes.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.

Click the below links to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

Pattern drafting tutorials 

Sewing tutorials 

Happy sewing!

---Flora