How to sew an a-line skirt from start to finish. There are 4 steps to complete this a-line skirt including measuring – calculating, drafting the pattern, cutting, and sewing the skirt.
We are going to stream a “LIVE Sewing Video Tutorial” via YouTube video Friday, March 1, 19 at 3 pm. (Eastern Time). When you click on this “LIVE Sewing Video Tutorial” link, the link will take you directly to my Live Sewing tutorial on YouTube.
We will supply “a sample skirt measurement guideline” as well as “a skirt measurement guideline.” Right-click on these skirt guidelines below to download. The sample skirt measurement guideline is for you to refer to, and the skirt measurement guideline is for you to list your measurement data.
A Sample Skirt Measurement Guideline
A Skirt Measurement Guideline
Brief History and Definition of an A-Line Skirt
Based on encyclopdeia.com, a French designer named Christian Dior introduced the term of an A–Line skirt. Dior introduced the term of A-Line skirt during the “mid-1950 as part of his collection.
Definition of an A-Line skirt means the skirt narrows from the waist and gradually become wider to the hem of the skirt.
How to Make an A-Line Skirt from Start to Finish
I am going to share with you how to make an a-line skirt from start to finish in four (4) steps.
- Measuring and calculating
- Drafting the pattern
- Cutting the fabric
- Sewing the skirt
How Much Fabric Do You Need for an A-Line Skirt
You need one yard of fabric. It is depending on your size. For my size, I need one yard of fabric. You can use woven or knit fabric depending on what type of fabric you have. For this demonstration purpose, I am going to show you how to make an a-line skirt with knit (stretch) fabric.
Tools Need to Make an A-Line Skirt
- A French curve 24-inches ruler (optional) I recommend having one if you draft a lot of clothing patterns
- Elastic for a waistband (2.5 cm. width)
- Measurement tape
- Pattern paper or newspaper
- Pencil or marker
- Scissors for cutting fabric
- Scissors for cutting paper
- The pencil skirt measurement guidelines (right-click to download the charts).
- Yardstick or sewing ruler
- You will need a calculator or a calculator app on your phone.
Where to Buy Sewing and Pattern Making Tools
Hopefully, these links below help save you time and headache. You can buy these tools on Amazon.com. Many of these tools and materials are my favorite. I love them. I used them while I was in a fashion design school and I still own them throughout my fashion career. When you click on each link below, the link will take you directly to the Amazon marketplace where each item is found.
- 1-inch width elastic
- 24-inch French curve
- Fabric scissor
- Measurement tape
- Metal yardstick
- Paper scissor
- Pattern paper
How to Measure for an A-Line Skirt
Press down the measurement tape onto your waist and guide the measurement tape alongside your hip down to the desired length of your skirt. For example, my skirt length is 50 cm. and my hip length is 20 cm. Next, measure your waist and your hip circumferences. My waist is 80 cm. and my hip is 102 cm. For more step by step on how to measure for an a-line skirt click on this link “how to measure for a pencil skirt.“
How to Calculate an A-Line Measurement
You divide the waist and hip circumference by four (4). For example, my waist circumference is 80 cm. I divide that by four (4) is equal to 20 cm. Repeat the step with hip circumference. Referring to “A sample Skirt Measurement Guideline” above. Please click on this link “how to calculate for an A-line skirt.”
We need 70 cm. (width) by 60 cm. (length) pattern paper. We begin by drafting the back of a skirt. First, mark the length of the skirt and add 3 cm. for the waistband and add 2 more cm. for the skirt hem.
We are going to mark the waistline, a hip line, and a hemline of an A-Line skirt. Next, we are going to mark the hip and the skirt length. For instance, my hip length is 20 cm. and my skirt length is 50 cm.
Next, we are going to mark waist and hip circumferences. For example, my waist circumference is 20 cm. and my hip circumference is 25.5 cm.
Note: This is applying to knit fabric only: instead of adding 2 cm of seam allowance, you subtract 2 cm. seam allowance. Please click on this link “How to Draft an A-line Skirt Pattern” for demonstration.
After drafting the pattern, it is time to cut the skirt. Cutting the skirt is the third step in making an A-Line skirt process. Begin by folding the fabric on the right side of the fabric faces each other and place the skirt pattern on top and cut around the pattern. Repeat the process. Please click on this link “How to Cut an A-Line Skirt” to watch my tutorial on how to cut an A-Line skirt.
How to sew an A-line skirt with knit fabric. When sewing a knit fabric make sure to stretch the fabric as much as possible while you sew with a straight stitch. As a result, the stitch will not break. On the other hand, you can sew with a zig-zag stitch which is available on most home sewing machines.
I like to sew my garments with straight stitches because I feel like I have more control. Lastly, make sure to back stitch when you begin to sew as well as at the end of each seam. Please click on this link “How to Sew an A-line Skirt with Knit Fabric” to watch step by step on how to sew tutorial.
Finally, we completed our A-Line skirt sewing project. As you can see the four steps process of making an A-Line skirt is quite simple. This is real-time sewing and the design of an A-Line skirt from start to finish is real!
I hope this A-Line skirt sewing project gives you some ideas to create your amazing project as a fashion design student.
Please kindly send me comments and feedback, I love to hear from you all Designistas!
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