How to Make a 1970’s Skirt

17th August 2009 4 Comments

A little while ago, I was looking at my mum’s old sewing patterns. I had been to the shop and realised that by the time I bought a new pattern and the material, I may just as well go and buy a new skirt. Her patterns have provided me with a wealth of fantastic basic shapes which can be adapted to form the basis of any wardrobe. My aim is to try to take you through some of them.

This is my first sewing tutorial so apologies for its lack of quality. Making this skirt is very quick and simple. I think that anyone who has a small amount of sewing skill should be able to work out what I mean. I promise my tutorials will get better! Feel free to add your additional comments and explanations… READ IT THROUGH BEFORE YOU START TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND! I cannot take any responsibility for wasted material or frustrations…

The images have numbers on them, this refers to how and where you might want to take measurements and so forth.
For this skirt you will need approximately 2 metres of fabric, a zip and a button. I would suggest that you cut out a pattern using some newspaper before you actually cut the material. This will enable you to tweak it before you do it in real life!

Step 1; Measure your waist and add a couple of centimetres for the seam allowance,this measurement will equate with 1 on the pattern. Since the skirt is made in 2 halves you need to divide it to get the length of one piece of fabric.

Step 2; Decide roughly how long you want the skirt this gives you the length

Step 3; Then you want to cut your paper. Try to aim for this sort of shape. Use the measurement you took for step 1 and the one you took for step 2 to form the basic and draw your shape, the length of A really depends on how flowy you want the skirt to look. When you get to cutting your material you will fold the material and place the edge where I have marked 3 on the first image along this fold. Essentially so you double up the shape of your pattern to create the overall large shape illustrated in the images. You will need to do this twice to cut the front and back panels of the skirt.

Step 4; In the middle of the back panel of your skirt you need to position your zip. To do this simply cut a line the length of your zip.

Step 5; To cut out the waistband. Take the measurement of your waist and add an inch or so for an overlap for the button.Decide on the thickness of the waistband you want, 2 inches is good for this skirt and then double it, as the waistband needs to be folded over in half.

Step 6; This is the hemline (this will be the last thing you want to do.

Sewing the pieces together
**Firstly, if you want to put the pockets on you will need to ‘hem’ all the edges of the pockets. then pin them to the front panel of the skirt in the position that you want them. You can then sew them onto the front panel. Don’t forget that you want to leave the openings where you put your hands into your pockets!

**At this point you may wish to fit the zip into the skirt back panel.

**Pin together the side edges of your skirt (along length 2) and then sew together. remember you need to do this with the right sides facing so you create a seam!

** Pin your waistband onto the skirt again, right sides together. The waistband should overlap at the middle of the back panel where the zip is. So you can create a buttonhole. Then sew this to the skirt panels. You can then fold the waistband in half length ways and I prefer to hand sew the insides together.

** you should now have your basic skirt. Try it on, and make sure that it fits around the waist properly.

** Now you can create your button hole and sew on the button.

** Hem your skirt to the length that you want .
Claire Walsh

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4 Comments

  • Aussie Mum 17th August 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Well done on all your sewing projects lately – I still haven't finished my quilt so can't start any new project until I get that out of the way. Wish me luck.

  • Rebel Mother 18th August 2009 at 12:22 am

    Good Grief! You can do all that?<br><br>Ah, a talented lady art thou!<br><br>RMxx

  • Emily O 18th August 2009 at 9:27 am

    Those patterns take me back! My Mum used to make all our clothes and I&#39;ve had a go in the past. My thing at the moment is cushion covers (easy, lots of straight lines!) but I think I need to give your skirt a go. The problem is I have a baby bump at the moment so maybe I could work out a maternity version! Good to find your blog.

  • WADs 19th August 2009 at 7:40 pm

    love the skirt style 🙂 You have made me want to get my sewing machine out right away x WADs x

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