You guys know I love skirts and today I am bringing you one of my favorites I’ve made so far. I’m going to show you How To Make A Gathered Skirt With Free Pattern! Why is this one of my favorite skirts you ask? Pockets! Who doesn’t love them! This easy gathered skirt has pockets so you have somewhere to put your hands and other small items. When my sewing friend, Debbie, showed me this sewing pattern, I knew I would be making a few of these. This skirt is super cute and the pattern makes it easy to size it for the perfect fit. It also makes it super easy to cut out your fabric pieces. You can easily dress this skirt up or down depending on what top you decide to pair with it. I picked out this fun print fabric but you could make this with a solid color if you prefer. This skirt is easy to make and would be a great project for anyone wanting to start making their own clothing. You can make this a mid-length skirt or a maxi skirt depending on your style preference.

So, pick out your fabric and gather up your supplies from the list below. I recommend using any cotton, cotton blends, linen, or rayon. Really any lightweight fabric will work so pick the one that works best for you. Let’s get started making this cute skirt!

What You’ll Need:

- 1.5 Yards Of 60″ Wide Fabric – cotton, cotton blends, linen, rayon – any light weight fabric will work
- 1 yard 1” wide elastic
- Matching Thread
- Free Pattern
- Iron
- Pins
- Scissors
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Measuring tape
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
- Fabric marker
Size Chart:
Imperial (inches) | Small | Medium | Large |
Chest | 34 | 36 | 38 |
Waist | 28 | 30 | 32 |
Hip | 38 | 40 | 42 |
This pattern is drafted for a height of 5’ 4”- 5” 5”. Is this sewing project not in the size you are looking for? Then check out our post on How to Scale a pattern up and down.
Printing Instructions
This gathered skirt pattern has layers so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.
Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.
Trimming Pages
Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together.
Pattern Assembly
After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment. When done your pattern should look like this:

Pattern Pieces Checklist
Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:
- Main Skirt Cut 2 on Fold
- Skirt Side Panel – Cut 2
- Pockets – Cut 4
- Waistband – Cut 2
Seam Allowance
Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.
How To Make A Gathered Skirt With Free Pattern

The first step our how to make a gathered skirt with free pattern tutorial is to wash and dry your fabric. This helps preshrink your fabric and prepares it for washing later so that your stitches don’t pull out or fray the first time you wash it. It will also help it stay super soft! Once you have done that, lay your pattern on the fabric and make the cuts from the cut list above.

Pin two pocket pieces along the short ends, right sides together and sew.

Fold pocket so that the wrong sides are facing.

Pin the pocket to the skirt panel so that the sewn folded edge of the pocket is pointing towards the skirt waist. Pin or baste the pocket in place.

With the pockets in place, the next step on this simple gathered skirt tutorial is to pin the skirt panel to the left and the right of one main skirt pieces and sew.

Fold the skirt right sides together. Pin the two skirt raw edges together and sew. When done you should have a fabric tube.

Now on this DIY gathered skirt with free pattern tutorial, we will work on the waistband. Pin the waistband pieces right sides together and sew at the short ends.

Then fold the waistband wrong sides together.

Locate the skirt pocket panels and mark the center of the panels with a pin. Pin the waistband to the waist of the skirt, aligning the waistband seam to the pocket panels center mark.

Sew, leaving a 3” opening to insert the elastic. Finish the raw edges of the waistband with a serger or zigzag stitch.

Cut the elastic to your waist measurement. Attach the elastic to a safety pin and insert the elastic into the waistband.

When it comes out on the other end, overlap the elastic by ½” and sew, backstitching to make sure it is secure. Sew the opening left in the waistband closed.

For the last step in this how to make a gathered skirt with free pattern tutorial, we will hem the skirt. To hem the skirt, double fold it by ½” and sew.

And that’s it! Now you know how to make a gathered skirt with free pattern tutorial! This is a super cute skirt you can wear with almost anything. And, the best part is the pockets! I wish all my skirts had pockets. They are so nice to have!

If you liked learning how to make a gathered skirt with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make A Gathered Skirt With Free Pattern

Sew your own gorgeous skirt with pockets!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Pattern layout
- Pin two pocket pieces along the short ends, right sides together and sew.
- Fold pocket so that the wrong sides are facing. Pin the pocket to the skirt panel so that the sewn folded edge of the pocket is pointing towards the skirt waist.
- Pin or baste the pocket in place.
- Pin the skirt panel to the left and the right of one main skirt pieces and sew.
- Fold the skirt right sides together. Pin the two skirt raw edges together and sew.
- When done you should have a fabric tube.
- Pin the waistband pieces right sides together and sew at the short ends. . Then fold the waistband wrong sides together.
- Locate the skirt pocket panels and mark the centre of the panels with a pin.
- Pin the waistband to the waist of the skirt , aligning the waistband seam to the pocket panels centre mark and sew, leaving a 3” opening to insert the elastic. Finish the raw edges of the waistband with a serger or zigzag stitch. "
- Cut the elastic to your waist measurement. Attach the elastic to a safety pin and insert the elastic into the waistband.
- When it comes out on the other end, overlap the elastic by ½” and sew, backstitching to make sure it is secure. "
- Sew the opening left in the waistband closed.
- To hem the skirt , double fold it by ½” and sew.
- Enjoy
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