Starter Skirt Sewing Pattern

Front view of Starter Skirt View B in pink gingham showing the full 12-gore silhouette and modest midi length.
Front view of Starter Skirt View B in a navy floral border print, showing the full 12-gore silhouette and midi length.
Sew Chic Starter Skirt View B worn by Pre-teen
Front view of Starter Skirt View A in a grey plaid fabric with a red rose border print, showing the slim 8-gore silhouette and modest length.
Front view of Starter Skirt View A in a grey tweed fabric, showing the slim 8-gore silhouette, wide waistband with button detail, and modest length.
Front view of Starter Skirt View B in black and white houndstooth fabric, shown with a white petticoat for extra volume and a modest midi length.
Front view of Starter Skirt View B in a coral and black geometric square print, featuring the high-waisted 12-gore silhouette and modest midi length.
Fashion illustration of the Starter Skirt View B, showing a model in a blue and grey floral 12-gore skirt with a matching light blue top.
Front cover of the Starter Skirt Misses size sewing pattern envelope, showing a grey View A skirt and a floral fashion illustration of View B.
Front cover of the Starter Skirt Plus Size sewing pattern envelope, featuring a model in a polka dot View B skirt and a fashion illustration of View A.
Technical line drawing of the Starter Skirt showing the front views of View A (8-gore silhouette with wide waistband) and View B (12-gore silhouette with narrow waistband).

Starter Skirt Sewing Pattern

(3 customer reviews)

Price range: $21.00 through $28.00

    • Misses Waist Sizes: 25 – 40 in
    • Plus Waist Sizes: 38 – 52 in
    • Graceful 8‑gore view A
    • Elegant 12‑gore view B
    • Two waistband options
    • Mid‑calf length
    • Side‑seam Zipper
    • Learn-to-Sew Pattern
    • Easy to Sew Level
    • Paper Pattern Printed & Shipped
    • PDF pattern in Letter & A4
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SKU: LN1000 Categories: , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Description

The Starter Skirt sewing pattern blends vintage inspired 1950s style with a modern gored separate featuring 8- and 12-panel options and two waistband designs. Instructions are streamlined for efficient high-quality construction.

The Starter Skirt is SO adorable! View B is full and flouncy, just right for a petticoat, or View A is slimmer and more tailored- your choice. It’s quick and easy to sew with instructions and illustrations for even the most novice seamstress. I describe it as a mid-calf flared skirt with a side seam lapped zipper that has 8 gores (View A) with wide waistband with a two button and buttonhole closure. OR choose 12 gores (View B) with a narrow waistband and one button and buttonhole closure. Waistbands are interchangeable.

SKILL BUILDER TECHNIQUES: Learn how to lengthen and shorten a pattern, apply interfacing and seam finishes, sew a lapped zipper, and sew a waistband using the “stitch in the ditch” technique.

⟡ Fabric

The Fabrics we Recommend for This Pattern:

Suitable for all woven fabrics. A fabric with soft drape, such as crepe, rayon, or chiffon will produce a soft flowing skirt flare. Medium to heavy weight fabrics such as denim, brocade, taffeta, linen or cottons will produce a firm skirt flare.

⟡ Misses Materials

MISSES:
What You’ll Need to Make this Pattern

STARTER SKIRT MISSES SIZE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTIONS: Thread, 7″ All Purpose zipper, two ¾” buttons (view A), OR one 5/8” button (view B).

Fashion Fabric VIEW A (8 gore skirt) VIEW B (12 gore skirt)
REQUIREMENTS * All Sizes All Sizes
60” fabric without nap 2 1/4 yards 3 1/4 yards
60” fabric with nap 3 1/8 yards 4 1/4 yards
45” fabric without nap 4 3/8 yards 4 yards
22” Interfacing 1 1/4 yards 1 1/4 yards

⟡ Plus Materials

PLUS:
What You’ll Need to Make this Pattern

STARTER SKIRT PLUS SIZE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTIONS: Thread, 7″ All Purpose zipper, two ¾” buttons (view A), OR one 5/8” button (view B).

Fashion Fabric VIEW A (8 gore skirt) VIEW B (12 gore skirt)
REQUIREMENTS * All Sizes All Sizes
60” fabric without nap 3 yards 3 1/2 yards
60” fabric with nap 3 5/8 yards 4 1/8 yards
45” fabric without nap 4 yards 4 3/8 yards
22” Interfacing 1 5/8 yards 1 5/8 yards

⟡ About Fit & Ease

How Our Sizing Works

All of our patterns are multi‑sized, and every size is included in each pattern. We use a measurement‑based sizing system similar to bridalwear, so your usual retail size or standard pattern size may not correspond to our chart. Select your size using your body measurements, choosing the closest match for each area. You can achieve an excellent fit by customizing your size across the three main measurement points.

Misses Fit

Our misses block is drafted for a true hourglass figure with broader shoulders, a full B‑cup bust, a long waist, and a height of 5’7″. Fitted styles generally include:

  • 3″ full‑bust ease
  • 0–1″ waist ease
  • 2″ hip ease

Additional design ease may be added depending on the style. To understand the finished garment fit, refer to the body measurements in the chart and add the ease amounts listed above.

Plus Fit

Our plus block is drafted for a different distribution of curves than the misses block, with narrower shoulders, a fuller waist and hip, a slightly shorter waist length, and a height of 5’7″. Plus patterns include cup sizes from C–F, which vary by style. Fitted styles include:

  • 2.5″ full‑bust ease (to support a smooth fit on a fuller bust)
  • 1″ waist ease
  • 4″ hip ease

Additional design ease may be added depending on the style. To understand the finished garment fit, refer to the body measurements in the chart and add the ease amounts listed above.

⟡ Misses Sizing

Size Chart:
Misses Waist sizes 25-40 in

The Misses range is drafted for a generous “B” cup.
Size and Waist (in inches) 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Hip 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Skirt A Circumference 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120
Skirt B Circumference 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180
Skirt Length 32

⟡ Plus Sizing

Size Chart: Plus sizes 38-52

The plus range is drafted with up to four cup sizes, C – F. We currently have two versions of the Plus chart in circulation:

  • CL: Classic Plus Chart — measurements for patterns before 2024.
  • NW: New Plus Chart — measurements introduced in 2025, and thereafter.
Size and Waist (in inches) 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
Chest 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53
Full Bust C 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
D 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57
E (DD) 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58
F (DDD) 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59
Waist 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
Hip 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61
Back Waist 15.5 15.75 16 16.25 16.5 16.75 17 17.25
Skirt A Circumference 118 120 122 124 126 128 130 132
Skirt B Circumference 178 180 182 184 186 188 190 192
Skirt Length 32

⟡ Bonus Materials

Bonus Materials

Tutorials to use with the Starter Skirt:

Instructional Pointer Hand

***Try out this FREE knitting pattern with your new skirt! Sew Chic Knitted Jacket (Bear Brand 1955) 3 pgs OPT

****Check out this info on marking buttons from a 1950’s 4-H booklet, Sew Chic Pattern OPT Mark and Sew Buttons

3 reviews for Starter Skirt Sewing Pattern

  1. Mary Ann T. –

    Sew Chic’s Starter Skirt is a quick and easy sew. I definitely would recommend this pattern to a beginner sewist. Thus skirtt definitely won’t disappoint, and will surely build sewing confidence.. The finished skirts are stunning full with lots of swishing and swing and a flattering waistband with charming buttons over a hidden zipper. I love that it is constructed with panels, because it can be very challenging to try to cut a circle large enough to make such a skirt otherwise. I highly recommend this pattern for all sewing abilities, you can’t go wrong with this one!

  2. Laura Kimmel –

    As the previous review, this sew chic skirt is a good one for all levels of sewing, just learning or to sew a quick skirt! It’s magic how this skirt goes together all by panels, but you can’t see the panels once they are sewn. I taught a 4h young girl, we sewed the skirt in a day, and she won grand prize! I like the wide waist band, it stays up and does not slide or fold down. Once you sew this skirt you’ll be hooked also.

  3. S (verified owner) –

    A very easy skirt for a beginner and a staple for anyone who loves wearing skirts! Lovely in more formal fabrics and lovely in a floral fabric for work. You cant go wrong with this pattern.

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