A-Line Skirt Series: Floral Midi Tutorial

***I'm doing an A-Line Skirt Mini Series! Read about the Box Pleat Skirt here, and stay tuned for the Delicate Scalloped Skirt!***

I'm excited to share three different A-line Skirt tutorials with you in the next couple months. The best part: they are all just variations of the same skirt pattern! So, once you have your perfect a-line skirt size figured out, the rest is up to your imagination!

I'm kicking off this mini series with a casual-chic floral midi skirt tutorial! This skirt is a very basic A-line yoke skirt with some simple pleats. Learning how to make this will give you the know-how to construct many other A-line skirts and dresses. That is why I'm starting with this one. Enjoy!

Outfit 1:

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: floral skirt by me (similar)

Shoes: Franco Sarto Sandals (similar)

Outfit 2:

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: stripe skirt by me (similar)

Shoes: Payless Shoes (similar)

Outfit 3:

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: scalloped skirt by me (similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy

Click through for the Tutorial ... 

Materials:

• 2 yards of floral fabric (I used this apparel linen)
• Coordinating 7-9" zipper.
• Coordinating thread
• Small amount of interfacing for yoke (1/4 yard or so)
• A sewing machine 
• It's a 14-step process, but it really goes by pretty fast once you have a pattern! 

Tutorial:

***In full disclosure, I didn't take pictures of the floral skirt in the process. I'm kicking myself about that! So I've created some graphics that I hope help you and I'm throwing in a few pics from the stripe skirt too. Please, ask me any questions if you're still not sure what to do!!!

Step 1: Start by measuring for a yoke that will fit you perfectly, that is the key to a great A-line skirt.

Step 2: Next cut out the pattern pieces from large pattern or craft paper. (see the pattern graphic below for measuring a guide)

• You will be glad you made a pattern so that you can cut the pieces more evenly and save it for the next skirt!!!)
• Just to ensure a good fit, either pin two yoke pieces together around your waist or sew a yoke from scrap fabric on one side to check the fit. I say this, because the first one I did was from a pattern that was supposedly "my size" but ended up being way too big and I had to adjust it after the skirt was attached. Not Cool!

Step 3: Once you get your pattern just how you want it, it's time to cut fabric. 

• Make sure to mark you pattern and fold you fabric in half (hot dog style) to cut the 2 large skirt pieces. 
• Then with the remaining cut out the 4 yoke pieces on the fold again. 
• Last, if your fabric is light weight, it's best to cut two yoke pieces of fusible interfacing for a stabilizer.

Step 4: Make your pleats or gathers on both the front and the back skirt pieces. (see graphic below)

Step 5: Using a basting stitch (widest width strait stitch your machine will make), sew across your pleats or gathers to hold in place. (see graphic below)

Step 6: Sew the sides of the two pieces together, right sides facing together. (see graphic below)

Step 7: Fuse interfacing to the backs of two pieces of the yoke. Follow the fusible interfacing instruction that comes with it.

Step 8: Sew the two yoke pieces you just fused interfacing to together on one end to make one long waist piece. Wait to sew the the other end because it will be attaching to the zipper.

Step 9: Pin and sew the yoke to the skirt (right sides facing) all the way around. (step also pictured below the graphic from the B&W skirt, but this one didn't have interfacing.)

Step 10: Zipper Time!!! Fold up the sewn on yoke, and determine where you want your zipper to hit. on the yoke. REMEMBER that you still need 5/8 inch seam allowance to add the inside yoke pieces and room for a clasp if you want one. Then install a zipper of your choice. (I did a flap zipper on the floral skirt but I did invisible on the stripe and scallop skirts.)

Step 11: Attach the inside yoke piece to the outside yoke piece. You will do this in the same sort of process that you attached the front yoke to the skirt. Right sides facing but this time, the curves should fit each other perfectly.

Step 12: Fold the newly attached yoke (the outside facing one right now) inside the skirt. Understitch if desired to keep it in place.

Step 13: You can either hand stitch the bottom of the inside yoke in place or you can uses the stitch-in-the-ditch technique on your machine (here's a good tutorial). I hand stitched this one and did the stitch-in-the-ditch technique for the other two.

Step 14: Hem to desired length (I did a hand blind hem, but you could machine hem it too). I went for a midi length on this skirt and I love it!!!

YOU'RE DONE! Doesn't that feel amazing?!? I love accomplishing something so fabulous in so short of time.

Check back for the Box Pleat and the Scalloped Hem tutorials soon!!