Question for sewers--easiest skirt to make?

last year

What do you think is the easiest skirt for a beginner to sew? Looking to make some skirts with novelty fabric for fun. Thanks!

Featured Answer

nicole___

last year

last modified: last year

I used to take a yard of fabric, put two pleats in the front, two in the back, with a zipper in the back, a 2" waist band. Or... little buttons all the way down the front and a slight fair to the skirt. Or....just do elastic at the waist.

Elastic @ the waist band. Oh...and wrap skirts...very easy! Ever made a sarong?....even easier! Link

Comments (16)

bpath
last year
Well, in our 7th grade home ec class we made a dirndl skirt, so that is probably the easiest lol!
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blfenton
last year
We made a dirndl skirt in grade 8 (grade 7 was still elementary school) and that was our first project.
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colleenoz
last year
We did an A line skirt in my sewing class.
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Easiest skirts are knit. I used to whip up a 4-gore skirt all the time...sew the 4 seams, make an elastic casing for the top, hem the bottom, done.
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Back in the day, when during the war you couldn't get zippers, Mom knew how to make a skirt without a zipper. It had a pocket on the side and a button on the waist band over the pocket....when you unbuttoned it, the way the pocket opened would give you the room you needed to get in and out of it. I've tried finding how to do it, but have been unsuccessful.
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Why was it they had us make dirndls? I remember making one too...
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rob333 (zone 7b)
last year
last modified: last year
I took a different track in HS and was in chemistry when my friends were in Home Ec. I'd never heard of a dirndl until today. I can see why they'd have you make one. It looks forgiving in creation and for figures. It also utilizes gathering, a waistband and zipper insertion. Pretty much everything basic you'd need to get started in sewing. Which would've been my suggestion for an easy pattern, gathered skirt, but like nicole, with elastic. That's easiest ;)

like these
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beesneeds
last year
Maybe a circle skirt would be easiest. One seam for the skirt, plus waistband. You can do quarter up to full circle depending on how full you want the skirt. Depending on the fabric and how much you have to lay out, a gored skirt is also super easy, I've done a bunch of those. 4-6 gores, waistband.

Waistbands. Often elastic case can be the easiest to do. Wrap ties can be easier, but don't necessarily work well with as many skirt types. Sometimes a simple band with an easy sew on snap closure can look more finished. Do buttons instead of snaps for even more detail and finish. Ziippers can be a bit difficult for an easy level learner, but not too bad once you get your confidance up with even seams and sewing. I've seen upcycles where someone took the whole waistband and closure off one thing, and built it into their other. It can look really neat or really bad, lol.
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
I'd think a wrap skirt would be easiest because there's no zipper and usually no gathering to deal with either.

But yeah - I do think dirndls are the most basic beginners sewing project - they're simple to cut out with fewer pieces. My first sewing project was an apron made from 1 yard of fabric. It had gathers too.
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
My first sewing project was a pillowcase...learned how to make a french seam and finish edges. Mom gave me gingham fabric so it was easier to learn to cut and sew straight.
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Judy Good
last year
When I taught sewing, they made an elastic waist skirt, a simple tote and pajama pants. Easiest is the skirt.
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blubird
last year
@Annie Deighnaugh here's one site which shows how to make a side opening. a button in the waistband could be used instead of the tie. i know I have an old pattern somewhere which was designed for the side pocket entry. I shall go searching as i could use more pants in my new size.

Side entry
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
That's it blubird!! Thanks so much!!
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arcy_gw
last year
last modified: last year
First skirt I was taught to make in Jr. High was what was called back in the day a 'peasant' skirt. Full skirt/ruffle on the hem/elastic waist band. Mine was yellow gingham-which made the project more of a challenge due to the matching of the stripes but my mom was a seamstress who knew how to assure it would be perfect and it was. There was also an A line skirt with a side zipper and button hole which --button holes I never did master!!! hahaha Which is why I prefer making window treatments and pillows to clothes!
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last year
I had to sew a 4-gore cotton skirt with waist band and zipper in 7th grade Home Ec clss. Must have been easy because I could do it!
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