8 A-line Skirt Sewing Patterns You Need To Check Out
After posting a photo of my A-line skirt in a watermelon print on my Instagram grid, I had a few questions about the pattern. My original step-by-step photo tutorial on how to draft and sew this A-line button front skirt is available in Issue 119 of Mollie Makes magazine. If you would like to check out the issue and my tutorial, you can try to purchase a digital copy of the magazine or check your local store to see if they still have this old issue. For those of you who just want to sew an A-line skirt, here are 8 different A-line skirt sewing patterns you need to check out!
Pages from Issue 119 of Mollie Makes featuring Gwen's tutorial on how to draft an A-line skirt sewing pattern and how to sew the skirt.
An A-line skirt is a staple of the 60's mod wardrobe. It is also a great wardrobe booster for any style! It’s perfect for hot summer days and works as a great transitional piece when paired with thigh-high socks or stockings. The simple lines of a button front A-line skirt is also great for any sewist who wants to show off a great fabric print or practise some buttonhole sewing. I know I had a lot of fun trying to pick the right buttons for my A-line skirts!
8 A-line Skirt Sewing Patterns
Grainline Studio
Pattern: Reed Skirt (US$16)
Size range: 25” - 49” waist
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The Reed Skirt has multiple pocket, closure, and length options. Judging from the modelled photos, the skirt appears to sit on the true waist, which is the type of look that I love. I also love the look of the insert pockets on the front. However, if you are thinking about using a fabric with a specific print and is a stickler for matching prints, then bear in mind that you will have to match your prints for both front and back seams for this gored skirt design.
Fig + Needle
Pattern: Crestwood Skirt (US$12)
Size range: 23.5” - 46.5”
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The Crestwood Skirt is another high-waisted skirt. Similar to the Reed Skirt, it has insert pockets on the front. The notched waistband is an interesting design element. If you like cute finishing like I do, you will also love the scalloped hem in this design.
(You can also make scalloped hem for any shorts or skirt pattern using my tutorial for my 1940's Style Burnside Bibs)
Tilly and the Buttons
Pattern: Arielle Skirt (£11.50)
Size range: 24” - 38”
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Tilly and the Buttons always serves up the best modern looks with 60's mod vibes! This A-line skirt pattern is another one of their designs with strong retro influence. Utilising darts to create shape rather than panels, the Arielle skirt is the perfect candidate for using fabrics with an outstanding print. I also love the unique side button front design that makes this skirt extra adorable!
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The Anna Button-up Skirt has a more modern slant in terms of design as compared to the other patterns I mentioned above. The skirt leans towards a more subtle, tapered pencil silhouette and sits slightly lower than the true waist. One huge advantage of this pattern is the wide size range available! The 3 different length variations also provide endless styling options.
Pattern Emporium
Pattern: Chelsea Button-up Skirt (AUD$14.50)
Size range: 23 ⅝” - 37 ⅜”
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Of all the patterns I have listed in this post, the Chelsea Button-up Skirt seems to give the most bang for your buck! It features 3 different pocket options and 3 different length options. Based on the modelled photos available, it seems that the maxi length works great for lightweight fabric and the long mini and knee-length versions work great for heavier fabrics such as quilting cotton for more structure. Again, the panelled design means that fabric print choice needs to be considered carefully. It is not specified if the skirt is meant to sit on the true waist but the shaped waistband and the modelled photos suggest that the skirt sits just above the hip.
Blue Dot Pattern
Pattern: Ally Skirt (US$10)
Size range: 26” - 34”
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The Ally Skirt is a gored, A-line skirt that is similar to the Reed and the Chelsea. While this pattern has a competitive price tag, it comes with a limited size range and less sewing options. Again the panelled design with the multiple seams may break up fabric prints so that's an issue to consider depending on the fabric you want to use for your skirt.
Blank Slate Patterns
Pattern: Tillery Skirt (US$11.99)
Size range: 25” - 48”
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The Tillery Skirt is another gored, A-line skirt with front patch pockets similar to the Anna. The front patch pocket placement of the Tillery seems to be closer to midline than the Anna, which is a placement that I personally prefer. I love all the denim versions that are featured on the pattern shop page!
Sew This Pattern
Pattern: Annie A-line Skirt (FREE)
Size range: AU 6 - 16 (size chart not available for viewing)
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The Annie A-line skirt is a really simple design. It comes with a faced waistline (i.e. no waistband) and an invisible zipper closure on the back rather than a button front closure. While the design is different from my button front skirt, I wanted to include this pattern in this list because it's a free pattern! If you are interested in trying pattern hacking, you can definitely hack this into a button-front design! The size range listed is size 6 - 16 of Australian standards which, according to Google, translates to approximately 62.5cm to 85cm (24.6" - 33.5").
More A-line skirt sewing patterns
Of course, you may also prefer to look at sewing patterns from one of the Big 4 companies. But I wanted this blog post to highlight some small businesses and indie pattern companies. I hope this little round-up of sewing patterns is helpful for anyone who wants to sew an A-line skirt.
Which of these 8 A-line skirt sewing patterns do you think you’ll be interested in trying?
Gwen poses with her watermelon A-line skirt made with her tutorial. She is smiling and her right hand is resting on her right hip.
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and I am not paid to mention any of these patterns in this post. I have also not sewn any of these patterns so I can't provide reviews on the fit and instructions for these skirt patterns.
