Patty Young from Modkid shares this fun MODKID Yoga Skirt Tutorial with us today. You may already be a fan of Patty’s cute Modkid sewing patterns. Now you can add a series of these great skirts to your wardrobe with Patty’s tutorial and some of her beautiful, new knits! New Knits by Patty Young for Michael Miller are available for preorder in the shop. We’ll begin shipping these orders on 6/28. Enjoy Patty’s tutorial today!
These sweet and comfy yoga skirts are a wardrobe staple at our house. They are easy to make, fun to wear and a great way to achieve that “Just Like Me” look for moms and daughters or big and little sisters. I have made these in any size from toddler to adult since there are no pattern pieces, just a quick and easy formula to follow… So come sew along with me and use up those awesome knit fabrics you’ve been waiting to sew with!
Suggested Fabrics: Use stretch knits only: cotton interlock, jerseys, matte jerseys, lightweight double knits, stretch velvet or stretch lace, 54” to 58” wide. For the waistband, you can use rib knits or any stretch fabric that has about a 50% stretch. See note at the end for a variation on this skirt using woven cottons.
ALL SEAM AND HEM ALLOWANCES ARE 1/2”
The first thing to do is to determine your measurements. Use Figure 1 to determine your waist and skirt length. Using a tape measure, measure all around your waist (or the skirt recipient’s waist) and that number will be Measurement A. Next, measure from the hip area (just below the waist) to wherever you want the hem of the skirt to fall (mid-thigh, knee, below-the-knee, etc.) and that number will be Measurement B.
Next, using measurements A & B, we will determine the size of your skirt pattern pieces.
For the double-folded yoga waistband, take Measurement A, subtract 3 inches and divide this number by 2 to get the width of each of your 2 non-elastic waistband pieces (we make these pieces much narrower than the actual waist size because there is no elastic, so the band needs to be taut in order to hold up the weight of the skirt.) The height of each panel will be 15” for any size skirt. After all the pieces are sewn together, this will result in a 7″ band that can then be folded down in half to 3.5″, which is a perfect and comfy yoga band for all ages.
For example: My daughter’s waist measures 21” all around. So, 21” – 3” = 18” / 2 = 9”. I will cut 2 waistband panels at 9” wide by 15” tall with the maximum stretch of the fabric running across the 9” width. See Figure 2.
For the twirly skirt panel, we will take Measurement B and add 1 inch to it (1/2” for the seam allowance at the waist and another 1/2” for the hem allowance.) I normally cut my skirt panel the full width of the knit fabric for all skirt sizes… this results in a super full and twirly skirt for the little girls and a less-full, more fitted look for me. Adjust the width of this panel according to your preferred amount of fullness.
For example: My daughter likes her skirts to fall right above the knee. Her B measurement was 12”. So, 12” + 1” = 13”. I will cut her skirt panel at 13” high by the full width of the knit fabric, with the maximum stretch going widthwise. See Figure 3.
The last thing I do before sewing up my yoga skirt is to divide my skirt panel in two, widthwise. I do this because I prefer the look of two side seams on my skirts instead of one in the back. If you would rather have one skirt panel that seams in the back, you can certainly skip this step.
Now it’s time to assemble your yoga skirt.
1. Create the waistband. Place one waistband piece over the other, right sides together, and stitch or serge along both side edges (the 15” sides) with a 1/2” seam allowance, thus creating a fabric circle, Figure 4.
Then fold the waistband down in half, wrong sides together and press, creating a finished folded edge and two raw edges, as shown in Figure 5. Both side seams will be encased within the band, which is now exactly 7.5” high and about 4” narrower than your waist measurement. Set the waistband aside until we are ready to attach it to the skirt.
2. Create the skirt panels next. Lay one skirt panel over the other, right sides together and stitch or serge along both side edges with a 1/2” seam allowance, thus creating a fabric circle, Figure 6. Turn the skirt right sides out. Note: if you’ve chosen to use only 1 panel that seams in the back, then stitch or serge this back seam and turn skirt right side out.
3. Hem the lower edge of the yoga skirt using your preferred method. There are many ways to hem knits. My preferred methods include using a coverstitch machine for a more professional finish, or a lettuce-edge rolled hem on my overlock serger for a whimsical, fun look or simply by pressing up a 1/2” hem and running a zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine for a funky, home-made look.
4. Gather the top edge of your skirt. Use your longest machine stitch and sew two rows of gathering stitches along the top raw edge of the skirt panel: one row 1/8” from the edge and the second row 1/4” from the edge. Don’t backstitch at the end! You want those threads loose so you can pull and gather. Grab both bobbin threads and carefully pull to gather the top edges of your skirt, distributing gathers evenly with your fingers. Gather the fabric until the skirt’s top edge is the same width as the waistband you created in step 1, Figure 7.
Note: If you have another preferred gathering method, like using a ruffler foot or your serger, you can do that instead.
6. Attach waistband to skirt. Lay your waistband over the right side of the yoga skirt’s top gathered edge aligning side seams and keeping raw edges even. Pin in place all around, adjusting the skirt’s gathered edge to fit. Stitch or serge 1/2” from raw edges, Figure 8. Turn the waistband right side out and your MODKID Yoga Skirt is finished!
We usually wear our skirts so that the gathered area sits right above the hips and we fold the waistband down, to create that “double-fold yoga band” as you see above. Pregnant women can wear the full waistband panel stretched over their bellies for a super snugly and comfy fit.
Variation: You can make this skirt using a woven fabric like a quilting cotton, cotton lawn or voile for the main skirt panel, as long as you still use a stretch fabric for the double-folded waistband. The cutting and assembly instructions are the same, just keep in mind that quilting cottons are usually only 44” wide (not 58” like most knit fabrics) so the skirt will be less full and twirly. If you still seek maximum fullness, you can cut two full-width panels and assemble as directed. HAVE FUN!
Note: If you do decide to make the main skirt panel out of a woven fabric, it is helpful to gather the skirt a little wider than your waist (maybe even as wide as your hips) and then stretch the raw edges of your knit waistband to fit the gathered edge of the skirt when you attach it.
Regardless, it’s always a good idea to trim the gathered edge (or at least remove the gathering stitches with a seam ripper) before you wear it so that the skirt will have maximum stretch.
Always remember to use a stretch stitch or zig-zag stitch on your machine when sewing stretch garments if you don’t have a serger, to avoid broken stitches when the garment stretches over the body.
Shop News:
New Knits by Patty Young for Michael Miller are available for preorder in the shop! We’ll begin shipping these orders on 6/28.
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Thank you for this wonderful tutorial for us beginning sewers! I used your tutorial as an inspiration for a ruffled skirt that is featured here: katieshowto.blogspot.com
Come on over to visit!
Hi All!
So glad to see everyone is enjoying the tutorial. I see I have a couple of questions to answer. Sorry I’m so late on this!
Andrea T: the width of the fabric is what goes side to side (or selvedge to selvedge), so on a knit fabric it is usually the maximum stretch of the fabric (see figure 3 above). If you purchased a yard of fabric, that yard, or 36″, would be the “length” while the other measurement, usually 56″ or 58″ is the width. On quilting cottons, the width is usually 44″/45″.
Karen L: that is a great observation about making the skirt panel out of a woven fabric! I apologize for not mentioning it myself. Yes, it is helpful to gather the skirt a little wider than your waist (maybe even as wide as your hips) and then stretch the raw edges of your knit band to fit the gathered edge of the skirt when you attach it. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to trim the gathered edge (or at least remove the gathering stitches with a seam ripper) before you wear it so that the skirt will have maximum stretch.
Always remember to use a stretch stitch or zig-zag stitch on your machine when sewing stretch garments if you don’t have a serger, to avoid broken stitches when the garment stretches over the body.
patty
This is exactly the pattern I was looking for! I’m going to start working on it ASAP!
haha oh man, my 1st skirt is a total disaster, but still wearable around the house/yard. At least I know how to sew the waist band to the skirt panel for next time, I was a little confused by the directions.
Hiya, I’m attempting to make this skirt right now and I’m actually a little confused about what you mean for the ‘full width of the fabric’ for the skirt panel. I have 1 yard of fabric for my skirt, does that mean use the full yard, folded in half? It was only a dollar so I’m not gonna be annoyed if it screws up, I’m just confused/not sure what you meant exactly.
Thanks!
So cool! I can’t wait to make one or two.
THANK-YOU!!
I just bought some matte jersey and a stretch needle, I’m going to sew this up tomorrow!
P~
Thanks! I just made two skirts. However, for the 2nd skirt I used a cotton for the panel and had to make some adjustments. Perhaps my thighs are bigger than yours (!), but if you gather and stitch the panel to the waist band the cotton can’t stretch over the booty and thus, the stitches rip! I redid it by measuring the panel so that it could comfortably slip over that area and then when I pinned it to the waist, I stretched the waist band to fit the panel (figuring the waist would reshape to my waist size). That is, instead of matching the skirt panel to the waist, stretch the waist panel to fit the skirt if you are using a non-knit fabric. Hopefully that made sense! I’m very excite about the tutorial and can’t wait to put together a 3rd skirt- Thanks!
thanks for this easy-to-follow tutorial. I’m looking forward to making one for myself and my daughter. We have a fantastic fabric shop near here, so now I have the perfect excuse to go and browse. Just need to persuade my mum to let me borrow her sewing machine! If only I had one myself.
I’ve been putting off trying the knit fabric for waistband because I’m never sure if the fabric is stretchy enough. This tutorial has given me a bit more confidence. This yoga skirt is now high on my list of new things to try. Thank you!
Patty is awesome! What a great tutorial!
How neat, can’t wait to make this.
Looks adorable and super comfy!
Wow – what a great tut – thanks soo much
Thanks for the tutorial for those darling skirts. Can hardly wait to get my hands on some of your beautiful knits. Keep it coming! Diann
I love that kind of skirts for hanging around at home and studying
Love it :0)
Love It!
i love these skirts! perfect for summer
What a great tutorial. I love the idea of making matching skirts for the girls and myself. Thanks!!!! Can’t wait to get started!
Can’t wait to make several of these skirts for my college age daughters! You rock, Patty!!
Twirly skirts rock! I think I need to get some knit fabric to do this for me and my girls. Thank you!
such a cute twirly skirt
Awesome! As soon as I read this I knew just what to do with some knit fabric I’ve had for 10 years! I made it this afternoon in about 30 minutes and it is so comfortable! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Great tutorial. I’m going to try this.
Oh YES! This is PERFECT! Thank YOU!
Great idea!
I am so making matching skirts for my daughter and me! She will love this and so will I!! Thanks for the great tutorial!!!
I’m going to try this, I LOVE my yoga capris, so why not a yoga skirt?!
I love tutes like this. So easy~ great directions and I love the new prints in knit.
I am definitely going to make this one!
Maybe this will be my first project with knits! It looks so comfy!
This is AWESOME! I can’t wait to try it out! Love tutorials like this that include ALL sizes! How comfy…..better add this to my project list…
Very fun! I am actually in need of new yoga pants, but this gives me some good ideas.
It is a great help for me and for other people so that they can make their own yoga skirts at home according to their need and choice. According to me every people should do yoga if they can not do every day then they should do atleast once in a week.
great tutorial!!
ooh! i have seen some great stripey knits in spotlight lately! or maybe even upcycling old tee’s?? thanks!
Wow! I just bought an overlocker (serger for the Americans out there), and I have some cute knit fabric I want to make up for my grand-daughter. Perfect!
This is one my list to make before I teach class tomorrow afternoon!
Quick & fun..just my thing.
I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m a skirt girl so I’m so excited!!
I saw a skirt like this today and was thinking how much I’d love one. Now I can have one!
this is right up my alley! so cute!
So adorable! I wish I had more time to sew for myself instead of others….
LOVE these – thanks!
Ooh! That looks so comfy!!
So cute! I can’t wait to try this!
I can’t wait to get some fabric and make this! So cute!
Thank you So much for sharing this tutorial. I have some of those delicious Knits coming so will try a few of these skirts out on my daughter
I can’t wait to make this! I wear dresses & skirts exclusively & am in dire need of some new skirts!
fantastic! This will have a lot of use at our house
I’m off to make one of these comfy skirts right now! Thanks
the skirts look comfy and fun to sew
thanks for the tutorial.
That is so adorable! Thanks for the very simple, detailed and visual tutorial. This is the best.
i’m so into knits right now…and this one looks do-able! thanks~
Very cute! I’ve never sewn with knits either, but I’ll have to give this a try (probably for the cute little girls I know, but if I’m really brave, for myself!)
Oh! I’m so excited to get this tutorial because as soon as i get back home and on my sewing machine, I am going to make one for myself!
This looks like a great skirt! I might have to try this one.
I just forwarded this to every sewist I knew – awesome! I think I’m going to make one tonight (or maybe two, or three or…..)
That sounds really simple to make!
This is SO cute and looks super comfortable. I want to make one! Thanks for the directions and the inspiration!
I think I’m willing to give this a try . . . it looks great. I haven’t sewn for myself before, just my daughter (who, now 8, declared to me last night that she wants to learn to sew all her own clothes, just like the colonial girls did, so we’d better get going on those sewing lessons). Thank you for sharing.
Can’t wait to try these skirts!!And even better, to get my hands on some of her fabulous knits!!!
I love yoga skirts. So cute and comfy.
Sweet! I’ve been wanting to make myself a maternity skirt for summer. Thanks for the simple & clear tute.
awesome! Thanks for the great tute
…off to make skirts now…
Ooh, I quite like this. Just might give this a try along with the other projects that have been featured here that I’ve bookmarked for that day when I have nothing else to do but sew.
looks so comfy! I’m going to have to get myself some knit fabric to make one of these!
i’ve been wanting a few of these skirts for a while….i think i’ll just make them! yay!
Those look so comfy, must give them a try for my girls and myself.
love it! I’m tired of elastic casing so this sounds like a fun skirt to try next.
It can’t be any easier than that. Very cute.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! This is an awesome tutorial- I can’t wait to try it
Wonderful! My daughter will ONLY wear skirts or dresses, and this looks like the perfect comfortable skirt for her (and me!). Thank you!
Love it! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for the great tutorial! Happy Sewing!
thanks for the tutorial! guess i have something to do this weekend after all
Love this! Thanks for the tutorial. I could wear one like this everyday
Great! I actually just made one of these & it is super cute!
Cute. I think I might give this a try, I need a need cute summer skirt to fit me while I’m pregnant
Looks comfy!
great idea!
Sounds easy!
I think I can handle this! Thanks for the very clear tutorial; I like that the math is given and then followed by an example.
I’ve got to try this. I need some summer skirts and this one seems so comfortable and cute! Thanks!
After a few 4-H nightmares and junior high fashion choices, I’m very very frightened of sewing with knits. Hold my hand, Patty! Maybe I can take try again! Because this skirt looks so perfect!
So cute! I must try it out!
Super-cool! I just set up my new serger, perfect timing. I want to make one for myself. I’m in a skirt kick currently. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Awesome tutorial, thanks!
I have been wanting to know how to make skirts like this FOREVER… I have 2 like this from Old Navy that I *love* (especially when pregnant) and have always thought to myself — you know, that wouldn’t be too hard to make — so THANK YOU!!!!
What a great idea. Who’d have ever thought of wearing a cute skirt for yoga? I love it!
I love this tutorial – I might finally make something for myself for the first time ever!
The waistband looks so comfy! Can’t wait to make this for my daughter and me!
I love how simple this is!
nice skirt! This tutorial *might* get me to sew with knits for the first time.
Thanks sooo much for this tutorial!! I LOVE this type of waistband!!
Cute! I just made a skirt like this recently. They are so comfortable!
Very fun! I was just getting ready to cut out my maternity version of Rae’s spring top (Made by Rae had a guest tutorial on adjusting for the preggo belly) = ) Now I can make a comfy yoga skirt for myself and my girls…My poor hubby! The sewing machines will be whirling away this week!
How fun! My daughter has loved twirly skirts since she was very little. Even now as a teenager I think she would love one of these skirts.
Absolutely adorable! Thanks!
How exciting! I’ve been meaning to make one of these since I saw one at Nordstrom, early in the spring. Thanks for making my project even easier by providing the tutorial!!
my daughter will love this!