A-line skirt – patterns, cutting and sewing

For many years, the A-line skirt has been a mainstay in wardrobes due to its timeless nature. All body types can wear it because of its attractive shape, which makes it a popular option for both formal and casual attire. The A-line shape creates a silhouette that is fashionable and comfortable by gently flaring out from the waist.

Regardless of your level of sewing expertise, creating an A-line skirt is a satisfying undertaking. Beginners can easily tackle this pattern because of its simplicity, and more experienced sewers will find endless possibilities with its customizable options. Try experimenting with various materials, cuts, and embellishments to make a skirt that is especially yours.

We’ll walk you through every step of making your own A-line skirt in this tutorial, from selecting the ideal pattern to cutting the fabric and attaching the last few stitches. If you have a little perseverance and imagination, you can make a lovely skirt that you can wear with pride.

Who suits this style

Perfect for shapes such as "inverted triangles." The trapezoid, which balances broad shoulders, gives the figure more proportion.

Additionally appropriate for women with a "triangle" figure is this silhouette. Furthermore, a medium length will be better in this situation as it will camouflage large hips and give the legs an illusion of length.

In order to balance the shape, it is best for women with "apple" figure types to stop at a length that reaches mid-calf when selecting an A-line silhouette.

There are essentially no length restrictions for slender young women. However, vertical patterns that elongate the already slender figure should be avoided.

Popular models of trapeze skirts

With a wrap

Fit for both curvaceous and overweight women. One can make a skirt like this for everyday wear as well as for business.

Pleated

A romantic and feminine take on the trapeze. You can fix the figure’s flaws by changing the type of folds. In Moscow and other European cities, a classic business suit is paired with a pleated mid-length skirt.

With an elastic band

An amazing summertime skirt version. most frequently made from airy, thin fabrics. An elastic band skirt fits almost every figure type and is incredibly comfy. Plus, it’s really easy to sew yourself.

With buttons

The style of the skirt is determined by where the buttons are placed. From a rigid school uniform to an open-minded one.

Fabrics used

As was previously mentioned, practically any material can be used to sew trapeze skirts. The time of year this model is designed for will serve as the selection criterion.

Denim

It’s easy to understand why denim skirts are so popular. They are youthful, sensible, and universal.

Leather skirt

A soft, tight-fitting skirt holds its shape perfectly and emphasizes your figure. By sewing a practical and at the same time elegant leather skirt, you will get the perfect outfit for every day.

Length selection

Let’s define the terminology first. Examine the diagram below carefully to accomplish this.

The most popular lengths for A-line skirts are maxi, midi, and mini.

A miniskirt that shows legs is only appropriate for someone with a trim build.

Most female body types look good in midi lengths. Curvy hips can be made more slender with an A-shape, which visually lengthens your figure.

Nearly all women look good in maxi lengths. An evening gown, for instance, will always look very sophisticated and feminine when paired with an A-silhouette skirt. A dress pattern featuring this skirt style should have a simple bodice without too many large embellishments. Additionally, long skirts in breezy, light-colored fabrics are perfect for a summertime stroll.

Let’s examine the manufacturing process of the most popular styles of trapeze skirts in more detail.

A-line skirts are flattering, classic wardrobe essentials that are also simple to make. This post will walk you through the fundamentals of making your own A-line skirt, from selecting the appropriate pattern to cutting and sewing the fabric. This easy project will help you improve your sewing skills while adding a timeless item to your wardrobe, regardless of your level of sewing experience.

Constructing a trapeze skirt pattern

In its classic form, these skirts mimic the shape of a trapeze, a geometric figure. The almost universal use of A-silhouette models is ensured by highlighting the silhouette at the waist and expanding towards the bottom. Making a trapeze skirt pattern is easy enough even for inexperienced dressmakers.

The base is a straight-cut skirt pattern. The pattern is available for free download from the Internet or you can build it yourself. Our website provides step-by-step instructions for creating a basic pattern.

We trace the two skirt panels onto tracing paper.

To model a basic trapeze skirt, enlarge the lower portion of the skirt.

There are two ways to go about this.

First method

Depending on the size of the needed expansion, we reserve 3 to 7 cm along the bottom line and construct a new side line of details. Simultaneously, remember to lift the skirt along its side edges and round off its bottom edge. The purpose of this is to match the skirt’s length. With this modeling, the darts at the waist stay in their original locations.

Second method

You can obtain a more exquisite fit for the product using the second method. The darts are closed at the waist and then expanded at the bottom to form a trapezoid shape. The darts’ center lines are extended the full length of the skirt.

We follow the drawn lines when making cuts. We obtain an expansion at the bottom by closing the dart at the waist. However, the lower expansion will vary as well because the width of the front and back darts differ. With a standard figure, this will result in the side seam shifting forward because the back dart and back piece will be wider.

Depending on the figure’s features, determine whether to align the flare at the bottom.

The ideal cut option for women with voluptuous buttocks is one with a wider back panel. The front dart is fully closed for standard figures, and the back dart is limited by the front one’s size. As a result, the dart stays on the rear panel but has a reduced width. We also execute an expansion along the side seams, as shown in the photo.

A-line skirt: video master class

A-line pleated skirt

Sewn rectangle pieces of fabric into a checkered skirt. The A-silhouette is beautifully formed by trapezoid folds. In addition, the model’s folds do not protrude and she does not appear chubby at the waist.

For OT = 84 cm, let’s think about creating a pattern for this kind of model. The width and depth of each fold will be determined solely by this parameter. This computation does not account for hip circumference.

We measure each fold’s depth in centimeters (along the waist line). As a result, there are 84:7 = 12 folds.

Multiply the width of the fold by 4 to find its depth. 7 x 4 = 28 cm is what we obtain.

The sizes are placed symmetrically on both sides of the pattern, dividing the width and depth in half, i.e., by 1/2 of the width (= 3.5 cm) and 1/2 of the depth (= 14 cm) in each direction.

Important note

Position the pattern while considering the shared thread’s direction. The base thread and the folds’ axis of symmetry should line up. The length of the skirt determines the flare along the lower edge. This works out to be a midi length of 85 cm.

How the folds are laid

The width of the fold is shown in gray in the following image. We will divide the procedure into steps for clarity. The fold is initially folded with its edge aligned with the axis of symmetry. The second step involves folding the fold, which is the mirror image of the first, so that its edge is next to the first’s edge.

As a training exercise, attempting to make such a bookmark on paper is advised. The detailed procedure is displayed below. Rather than laying each fold separately, it makes sense to align the waistline after all of the folds have been laid. The skirt’s bottom does not have to line up.

We determine whether ironing the folds is wise based on the material used. This is not necessary if the fabric maintains its shape. We iron the pleat edges because we are going to be sewing the cambric model of the skirt with silk.

As this type of pleated skirt requires three fabric panels totaling 4.5 meters in width, it is more practical to arrange the pleats on each panel independently. The panels are then stitched together. We put a zipper that is concealed inside one of the seams. Sewing the first and second panels together makes this process more convenient.

The third panel is sewn to the first and second panels.

Process the product’s bottom and sew it onto the belt. You can add another fold if you’d like to increase the volume at the waist. In this instance, the belt is made on a partially elastic band, which improves product convenience.

A-line skirt with a button placket: video MK

How to sew a trapeze skirt yourself by hand

Sew a single side seam. Iron and process the allowance using an overlock machine. Lift the lower edge of the material, brush, and sew. Attach a lace strip by sewing it on 5 cm from the bottom.

On the inside, make your folds, secure with a basting stitch, and iron.

Sew the thermal fabric-reinforced yokes along one edge, aligning the side seams and basting with the skirt’s main body. Sew with a machine.

Zipper should be sewed into the exposed seam.

Iron the allowances after sewing the inner sections of the yokes along one edge. Right sides of the yokes should be folded together, and the top edge and zipper tapes should be basted. The zipper in this instance is located inside the yokes. Run a machine stitch.

Fold the allowance along the lower edge of the yoke, turn it inside out, and hand-hem using a blind stitch. The skirt is prepared!

Model of a trapeze skirt with buttons and side pockets

We will teach you how to sew a trapeze skirt without a pattern using a comprehensive master class.

What you’ll need to make a short skirt is:

• striped shirt fabric – 0.6 m;
• calico for pocket burlap – 0.3 m;
• bias binding, 100% cotton, small check pattern – 4 m;
• buttons with a diameter of 13 mm – 8 pcs.;
• threads to match the color of the fabric;
• adhesive fabric – 0.3 m;
• adhesive web -2 m;
• sewing tool.

Master class – how to sew a trapeze skirt without a pattern

Pre-moisten the fabric, iron it, and let it dry for at least half an hour. By doing this, the material won’t possibly shrink after the first wash.

The product’s details will then be cut out and marked directly on the fabric.

For the belt, cut an 8 cm wide strip. We will sew the majority of the skirt from the remaining fabric. In order to cut off extra fabric and make an A-shape along the waist, we set aside 6 cm on each side.

Cut the front panel in half lengthwise in the middle; this is where we will attach the buttons.

We’ll tackle the side pockets next.

We used our own hands as a conditional template to cut out burlap for them. With a tiny margin, we trace the palm. Cut four pieces to size.

Make a valance so that the visible portion of the pocket blends in with the skirt’s main fabric. Cut two pieces of the main fabric, each about 5 cm wide, and sew them onto two burlap halves.

Arrange the burlap without valances, wrong side up, 9 cm from the top edge of the main piece, on the skirt’s front panel. Stitch the burlaps, taking a step back with the side seam allowance (= 1 cm).

Apply a similar technique to the burlaps with valance and the skirt’s second panel.

As you iron, turn the burlaps to the side allowance.

Put a stitch along the edge of all four burlaps to stop the pockets from opening outward.

With their right sides facing one another, fold the two panels.

Stitch along the burlap edges and the side seam. Sew using a machine along the side seam and burlaps (shown as red basting in the picture), taking the necessary step back.

The pockets on the front shelf are ironed.

The side cuts are processed by us. This can be processed with bias tape or overlocked if preferred.

You receive a tidy pocket.

We will then work on the facing, which is the button fastener. We use an adhesive cloth to reinforce the central incision. The strip has a width of 20 mm.

If you don’t have an overlock, you can use a zigzag stitch to finish the cut.

We install an adhesive web after turning the facing two centimeters to the wrong side.

To fix it and iron it, we pin it with pins.

We made a belt blank out of cutting. Its length is 12 centimeters plus the OT.

We cut a strip of adhesive fabric that was 3 cm wide and the same length. The belt is glued from the inside out, and one long cut is overcast using an overlock or zigzag stitch.

The skirt panel is positioned horizontally. To obtain 1⁄2 OT for this section of the panel, we start at the center of the back and proceed to symmetrically lay the folds on both sides. We use needles or basting to pin the formed folds.

In a similar manner, we lay folds on the front panels up to size 1⁄2 OT after previously pinning the overlapping facings.

After aligning the edges, we fasten the belt to the skirt’s upper edge. Keep in mind that the two sections’ middle lines match. To fix the pins, pin them.

We machine seam one centimeter away from the cut.

Iron the belt’s allowance.

Iron the belt folded in half. Trim the ends at the corners as shown in the picture.

We notch the corners, sew along the ends of the corner cuts, and trim off any extra allowance.

The belt can be fastened with pins, turned inside out, or basted.

After the belt has been processed, fold and bast. We machine stitch the seam on the front side.

Before processing the skirt’s lower cut, get the piping ready. Fold it in half twice, then iron it. After aligning the longitudinal edges, we apply the piping to the lower edge of the panel on the front side. Simultaneously, a tiny space must be left along the part’s end that extends past the panel.

Step back a foot’s width as you sew the piping along the edge.

Use a spider web to glue the piping that has been turned to the wrong side.

Sew buttons on the left side of the panel and create loops on the right.

Without a pattern, a trapeze skirt is sewn!

Aspect	Description
Pattern	Simple, flared pattern starting from the waist, no darts or pleats needed.
Fabric Choice	Light to medium-weight fabrics like cotton, linen, or denim work best.
Cutting	Cut the fabric according to the pattern, ensuring the length and flare match your preference.
Sewing	Stitch the sides together, attach the waistband, and hem the bottom.
Finishing	Press the seams and add a zipper or elastic for closure.

An essential item for any wardrobe, the A-line skirt is classic and adaptable. It is a popular choice for both formal and casual occasions because of its attractive shape, which flatters all body types. Making your own A-line skirt is a satisfying project that offers lots of customization, regardless of your level of sewing experience.

Make a skirt that fits well and expresses your own style by using the appropriate pattern and paying close attention to detail. Cutting and sewing may appear difficult initially, but with some forethought and perseverance, it becomes much simpler.

You can create individuality with each skirt by experimenting with different materials, lengths, and design elements as you become more comfortable with the fundamentals. Making your own clothes allows you to wear something truly unique that you created with your own hands, which is the beauty of it. You will soon have a stunning A-line skirt that you can be proud of, so take your time and enjoy the process.

Video on the topic

How to sew a skirt in 30 minutes.Part 1 cut .Skirt for all sizes .MK from @user-tr4xm7cs7d

A trapeze skirt without darts. The simplest flared skirt with only two seams

A trapeze skirt with an elastic band. Quick cut without patterns directly on the fabric. Tigu skirt.

How to sew a trapeze skirt without a pattern? A flared skirt in 10 minutes with your own hands

How to cut a long skirt. Quick cut of a trapeze skirt.

Modeling a flared skirt skirts from a basic base. How to make a flare on closed darts?

How to make a pattern for a flared A-line skirt? #skirt

How to build a flared skirt? Part 1. A-line skirt.