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I made a DIY knit maxi skirt with a high waist. You can actually fold this style of waist over, but I like to wear it like it is.
With the long length, it’s so comfy, like wearing sweatpants! Plus, knit is so forgiving and will stretch with you end up gaining a little weight.
Simplicity S8474 Skirt Pattern
I like Simplicity S8474 sewing pattern because it has nice hacking options. The version I’m wearing is the yoke skirt base variation.
There are also design suggestions for a skirt with pick-up, overlay, or a hi-low skirt with ruffle. They all have a high waist.
My version is in the maxi length, but you can always shorten it to make a mini or midi skirt.
Materials
Here are the fabrics and notions I used for this project. Yeah, no zippers for this one!
Fabric: The two versions of my maxi skirt are made of olive green rayon fabric and navy blue cotton fabric. Each has a different drape.
The olive skirt has a flowy drape, while the navy skirt is more stable. But they are both soft as can be!
Suggested fabrics include stretch knits such as jersey, novelty knits, spandex blends, stretch velvet, and two-way stretch.
Notions: For the pick-up version, you’ll need twill tape. Also, 3/8-inch (0.375-inch) elastic is optional for the elastic yoke.
Sewing the Knit Maxi Skirt
Making this pattern was pretty straightforward, as I stuck to the most basic version.
I chose my usual size medium for the blue skirt. It was fitted at the waist and felt more like a T-shirt with elastane.
For the olive skirt, I sized down. The fabric had a lot of stretch, so I didn’t want it to droop.
Plus, with folding it over at the high waist, it holds it better. So I didn’t find it necessary to add elastic in the waistband. It held up just fine without.
The base pattern has only a front and back, plus a waistband to sew. It’s not too complicated.
The shape of the skirt I made is an A-line, which I find flattering.
Knits can stretch, and that’s the benefit if the measurements are slightly off. You stretch to make it fit.
I also tried the skirt with the pick-up version. The pattern sketch looked really cute, and I thought it’d be fun to tie the skirt up in the front.
But as I was sewing this version, it didn’t turn out like the picture. It looked like a droopy mess on me, probably from the knit fabric I chose.
Has this ever happened to you?
Have you seen a sketch or picture of something you wanted to sew, and it didn’t turn out as expected? Ugh!
Notes
This skirt would be a great addition to a capsule wardrobe. I made all my knit skirts in solid colors, which adds to my minimalist look of the day.
Using prints would bring this skirt alive. Sometimes I’m in that kind of mood, too.
But when I run errands in this skirt, I feel more dressed up than wearing my joggers. But I’m just as or even more comfy.
And don’t forget to grab that handmade tote bag for shopping! (P.S. I made mine.)
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