High Waist, Single Seam or Custom: 5 Best Leggings Sewing Patterns
5 leggings sewing patterns in PDF: single seam leggings, simple tight leggings, high waist leggings, a drafting tutorial for a custom fit and biker shorts, plus fabric tips.
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Ready for Summer: 10 Best Shorts Sewing Patterns for the Whole Family
10 shorts sewing patterns in PDF: comfy elastic shorts, high waisted, tailored and biker shorts, men’s summer and swim shorts, plus kids board shorts and bubble shorts.
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Button-Up or Pull-On, the 4 Best Pajama Sewing Patterns to Sew
4 pajama sewing patterns in PDF: an easy women’s set, women’s button-up pajamas with pants, a short-sleeve set with shorts and men’s button-up pajamas, plus fabrics, fabric amounts and tips.
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Long, Light and Easy to Wear: 7 Best Maxi Skirt Sewing Patterns
7 maxi skirt sewing patterns and tutorials: a tiered ruffle maxi, a long skirt with slits, a full circle maxi, a classic maxi in plus sizes, a godet skirt, a front slit denim skirt and a skirt with a train, plus fabric amounts and fabrics.
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From Elastic Waist to Zip Fly: 7 Best Pants Sewing Patterns
7 pants sewing patterns in PDF: wide leg, palazzo, harem, linen pants, classic and pleated trousers and high-waisted linen trousers, plus styles, fabrics, fabric amounts and fit tips.
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Your Everyday Skirt Starts Here: 8 Best Skirt Sewing Patterns
8 skirt sewing patterns in PDF: a tiered midi, a full circle skirt, an A-line mini with pockets, a denim mini, a pencil skirt, a jersey midi you draft yourself, a wrap skirt and a ruffle hem skirt, plus fabrics, fabric amounts and measuring.
Skirt Sewing Pattern Picks, From Elastic Waists to Zip Flies
An elastic waist skirt is a friendly first garment: two seams, a casing and a hem. This page collects my roundups of PDF patterns for the lower half: every skirt sewing pattern roundup on the site, plus pants, shorts, leggings and pajamas.
Waistband first
The waistband tells you most about the difficulty. Elastic and drawstring waists need little fitting. A fitted waistband with a zipper or a fly front asks for careful measuring and a test garment.
Skirt shapes
- circle and tiered skirts: no darts, lots of fabric
- maxi and midi skirts: easy shapes, longer hems to press
- wrap and pencil skirts: closer fit, more fitting steps
Pants and fit
Pants depend on the crotch curve and rise, so compare the finished hip and rise measurements with a pair you already wear. Wide leg and palazzo styles are more forgiving than slim trousers.
Popular in this category
- 8 best skirt sewing patterns
- 7 best maxi skirt sewing patterns
- 7 best pants sewing patterns
- 10 best shorts sewing patterns
- 5 best leggings sewing patterns
- 4 best pajama sewing patterns
Skirt and Pants Questions
What skirt is easiest to sew for a beginner?
A gathered or tiered skirt with an elastic waist. It has straight seams and no closures.
How much fabric does a circle skirt take?
More than most skirts, because the pieces are wide curves. The yardage depends on length and waist size, so use the chart in the pattern.
Which fabric suits wide leg pants?
Linen, rayon and soft twill drape well. Stiffer cotton gives a crisper, more structured leg.