Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I made a DIY gathered midi skirt with front inseam pockets. It’s flowy, casual, and one that I love to dress up or down.
Plus, when making it, you can adjust the amount of fabric around the waist. The fuller the skirt, the more shape it gives to the hips to create a more curvy look!
Simplicity S1369 Skirt Pattern
I’ve had Simplicity S1369 sewing pattern forever, since it first came out. It makes a cute, classic gathered skirt with a waistband and back zipper.
It has inseam pockets and a zipper back. You can also make a skirt with an overlay, which would be nice for a formal occasion.
There are variations to make it knee-length or midi-length.
Materials
Here are the fabric and notions I used to make this skirt. Got to love zippers!
Fabric: I found my fabric in the fashion district, and it feels likecotton gauze. I’m not sure what it’s mixed with because they don’t label materials.
It’s always a guessing game over there. But it was cheap, so I thought I’d use it to experiment with.
The fabric floats when I walk in my skirt. It’s airy—the perfect word to describe it.
I love the dark blue color, and found a lightweight Tencel fabric for the lining.
Suggested fabrics include batiks, brocade, chambray, cotton types, crepe de chine, linen types, faille, satin, sateen, and taffeta. For the overlay, you need a see-through fabric.
Notions: I used a 7-inch invisible zipper and lightweight fusible interfacing for the waistband.
Sewing the Gathered Skirt
I looked at the directions that came with the sewing pattern. All went well until one part stumped me!
Well, I made a mockup in muslin fabric in my usual size, and the skirt fit low on my waist. There were an extra 2 inches of ease around the waist!
It dropped to my belly button, and I wanted the skirt to fit higher. So, I had to size down or adjust the waistband.
With the size figured out, I went on to make my skirt. It only has a few pattern pieces, so it wouldn’t be too complicated, right?
I got the gathering down, but the seam pockets sit in the front, which threw me off when I first made this sewing pattern. I thought… hmmm, that’s weird.
My gathering marks were off… No! They weren’t.
The pockets do not line up on the side seams of the waistband. I’m so used to side seam pockets, I didn’t pay attention.
That’s what I get for not following the directions!
This skirt has an invisible zipper back, and I made it work. The fabric was so uncooperative at times.
After wearing my skirt, I shortened the length. So it went from a long midi skirt to just past the knees.
I also added a lining to my skirt and am glad about it. Otherwise, it would have been a bit see-through.
Notes
If you want more fullness around your hips, size up the skirt when cutting. Then, you’ll have more fabric to play with.
I typically like to size down my skirt, and I still have more than enough fabric to gather. That’s why making a mockup is a good idea.
Overall, I’m happy with my comfy, flowy skirt. I wore it on a road trip in Arizona, and it was perfect for exploring!
Read More
