How to Make a Skirt {28 FREE Skirt Patterns}

In today’s post: Learn how to make a skirt with 28 skirt patterns and tutorials that are all FREE!

When I was a kid, the very first thing my mom taught me to sew was a gathered skirt, which I wore over leggings with two pairs of brightly colored socks, Cyndi Lauper style. I looked amazing. At least I thought I did. Anyway, skirts are a great place to start if you’re learning how to sew – some skirts only require two or three straight lines of stitching and a bit of elastic. Even if you’re not a beginner, skirts are fun to make. Because they come together fairly quickly (sometimes in less than an hour!) you can be wearing your new handmade skirt in no time.

I’ve collected the best FREE skirt patterns from around the web so you can learn how to make a skirt. A few of these include printable patterns in multiple sizes, and the rest include instructions for cutting out pieces or making your own pattern based on your measurements. Happy sewing!

Gathered Skirt Patterns

A basic gathered skirt is probably the EASIEST clothing item you can make! You only have to sew a couple of straight lines and add some elastic to the waist, so it’s a great beginner sewing project. Other gathered skirt variations offer flat front waistbands for a more polished look. Check out the gathered skirt patterns below.

Simple Gathered Skirt - MADE EVERYDAY

This is a basic gathered skirt tutorial that's super easy to sew. Gathered skirts look adorable (especially on little girls) and it's easy to customize this tutorial for any size skirt. A great beginner project! Video instructions are included.

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The Everyday Skirt simple sewing tutorial - It’s Always Autumn

This "Everyday Skirt" is an easy variation on a basic gathered skirt. It's a bit more flattering on adults because there's less fabric gathered around the waist, and it's designed to fit on just one yard of knit fabric.

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The Everyday Maxi Skirt sewing tutorial - It’s Always Autumn

This is the maxi skirt version of the Everyday Skirt. It's super easy to sew and works with both stretchy (knit) or non-stretchy (woven) fabrics. Because it's cut wider at the bottom than many maxi skirt patterns it's comfortable to wear and easy to walk in.

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DIY Women’s Gathered Skirt Sewing Tutorial - Sweet Red Poppy

This adorable chambray gathered skirt features a flat waistband for a flattering look. The tutorial will walk you through cutting out pattern pieces in your own size, sewing the skirt together, and adding a zipper for the perfect fit.

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The Perfect Flattering Gathered Skirt - It’s Always Autumn

This gathered skirt pattern features a flat front waistband and an elastic back waistband, so it looks good AND is super comfortable. The tutorial shows you how to make this skirt in any size AND add a lining so there's no need to wear a slip with it.

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Easy Reversible Pom Pom Skirt sewing tutorial - It’s Always Autumn

This cute gathered skirt is completely reversible! It's like two skirts in one, and both sides feature adorable pom pom trim around the hem.

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Circle Skirt Patterns

Circle skirts are a favorite for home sewists because construction is simple and circle skirts drape beautifully! Full circle skirts use lots of fabric and have a retro feel, while half and quarter circle skirts offer the same pretty drape with a more narrow silhouette.

Easy half circle skirt sewing pattern in any size! - It’s Always Autumn

This tutorial shows you how to make a half circle skirt, which doesn't take as much fabric as a traditional circle skirt. This skirt is designed with an elastic waistband, making it super easy to sew because you don't have to add a zipper or buttons. Bonus: this skirt style is flattering on almost every body type!

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Circle Skirts - MADE EVERYDAY

This is a fabulous tutorial for a classic circle skirt with maximum twirl factor. Watch the video to see every step of making a circle skirt in any size you'd like.

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Tulle Circle Skirt DIY - A Beautiful Mess

Tulle skirts are absolutely beautiful! This tutorial shows you how to make a classic circle skirt using layers and layers of gorgeous tulle. It looks fancy, but because you don't have to hem the tulle it actually comes together fairly quickly.

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Quarter Circle Skirt (Woven Version) – Zune Sewing Therapy

A quarter circle skirt uses the same easy technique with less fabric, giving you an A-line shaped skirt that drapes beautifully. This tutorial includes a printable template and thorough instructions for all construction steps, including adding a zipper.

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Easy DIY Fishtail Circle Skirt Tutorial - Delia Creates

Adding a hi-low hem to a circle skirt turns it into a dramatic statement piece without making it hard to sew!

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Pencil Skirt Patterns

Pencil skirts are a classic! The narrow silhouette looks classy and is perfect for any occasion. Knit pencil skirts can be sewn up in under half an hour and are perfect for wearing with t-shirts and sandals. Tailored pencil skirts take longer to make because they require darts and a zipper, but they end up fitting like a glove and look absolutely fantastic with a pair of heels.

Knit Pencil Skirt - MADE EVERYDAY

A knit pencil skirt is another SUPER easy skirt pattern to sew - and you can make this one in about twenty minutes. This video tutorial will teach you how to make the skirt in your size, including adding a polished waistband, all on your regular sewing machine.

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Easy Cable Knit Pencil Skirt {made from a sweater} - It’s Always Autumn

Here's another knit pencil skirt tutorial, this time made from a cable knit sweater. All you need is a thrifted sweater and a length of wide elastic for an easy skirt pattern that doesn't even require hemming.

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Super Easy DIY Jean pants to Jean skirt refashion video

This cute skirt is made from a pair of jeans! No pattern needed, just start with a pair of jeans that fit well and follow the video tutorial to turn them into an adorable skirt.

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The Aspen Ensemble - Free Sewing Pattern - Mood Sewciety

This is a more traditional pencil skirt, made from a woven (non-stretchy) fabric and including darts, lining, and a zipper. Click through for a free printable pattern in a large range of sizes.

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How to make a skirt {the Favorite Skirt sewing pattern} - It’s Always Autumn

This pencil skirt pattern includes side pockets and a curved hem that's lower in the back than the front. It's made with comfortable knit fabric and features an elastic waist. There is a free printable pattern in one size, along with instructions for how to modify the pattern to other sizes.

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Lindy Petal Skirt (Free Pattern!) - Itch To Stitch

This pencil skirt pattern is available in a wide range of sizes and you can print it at home for free! The overlapping front panels create a pretty petal hem, and you can adjust the fit so it will look perfect on you.

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Sew a Sequin Skirt - Melly Sews

This sequin pencil skirt is perfect for holiday parties, weddings, or anytime you need a little extra glitz. Click through for a video tutorial showing you how to make one, and plenty of tips for sewing with sequin fabric.

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Wrap Skirt Patterns

Wrap skirts are easy to wear because the waist is generally adjustable and very forgiving. But the pretty wrap waistlines and variables hems ensure they aren’t boring! Check out these three fun wrap skirt patterns.

DIY Wrap Skirt + Free Pattern • Heather Handmade

This clever wrap skirt pattern uses just one piece of fabric! Because it's a wrap skirt you can tie it tighter or looser, meaning the printable pattern will fit a range of sizes. All the edges are finished with bias binding.

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Wrap Maxi Skirt DIY - The Sewing Rabbit

The standard knit maxi skirt gets a fashionable update with the wrap version. The bow tie at the waist is so pretty! The easy to follow tutorial shows you how to make this skirt in any size using your own measurements.

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DIY Ruffle Hem Wrap Skirt | Collective Gen

I can't wait to make one of these skirts! I love the added detail of the ruffle along the hem of this trendy wrap skirt. Click through to learn how to make one in your size.

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Pleated Skirt Patterns

Pleated skirts allow for plenty of fullness without any gathers at the waistband, which generally makes them very flattering to wear. Pleats can be a bit tricky to figure out on your own, so these pleated skirt patterns should help!

Anthro Inspired Buffalo Check Pleated Midi Skirt Sewing Tutorial | The Sara Project

This tutorial teaches you how to make a skirt with box pleats in any size. It also shows you how to create a waistband and add a zipper. The example skirt is midi length, but you could make a similar pleated skirt in knee length or mini length if you'd like.

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How to make a pleated midi skirt pattern in any size! - It’s Always Autumn

This post shows you how to make your own pleated midi skirt pattern using stretchy knit fabric. It features a comfortable elastic waistband.

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DIY Tutorial – Pleated Button Front Skirt — Sew DIY

This absolutely adorable pleated skirt tutorial features a handy cutting chart that makes it easy for you to cut skirt pieces based on your own measurements. The button down front adds extra interest without too much extra work.

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More Skirt Patterns

Easy Maxi Skirt Pattern and Tutorial - Crazy Little Projects

This maxi skirt pattern is easy to follow and lets you sew your own maxi skirt from cute, soft knit fabric. The yoga waistband is easy to sew and super comfortable!

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Justine skirt (free pattern) - Ready To Sew

Adorable patch pockets and a button down front add interest and style to this gathered skirt. You can download the printable skirt pattern in a wide range of sizes.

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DIY Shirred Waist Skirt (Perfect for maternity!) | Collective Gen

This pretty summer skirt has a shirred waistband which makes it perfect for wear during pregnancy and beyond.

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Free simple A-line skirt pattern - See Kate Sew

This is a printable A-line skirt pattern that's available in 5 different sizes. The blog shows you how to make the skirt and gives great instruction for adding a zipper.

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