Half Skirt, Half Pants: How to Easily Sew Cute Skirt Pants
Hi everyone. In today's tutorial, we're going to make skirt pants: a pair of pants that look like a skirt! You get the comfortable feeling of pants and the flattering, feminine feeling of a skirt in one.
As this garment is like a flowy midi skirt, I suggest you use some really soft fabric for this DIY, such as thick chiffon, satin, silk, or really soft cotton. That way you don’t have to add lining inside.
Let’s start sewing some skirt pants!
Tools and materials:
- Thick chiffon or other soft fabric
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Fabric marker or chalk
- Elastic
- Safety pin
- Bobby pin
Note: These DIY skirt pants don’t require a pattern - only your own measurements. I’m using 2 meters (2.2 yards) of thick chiffon for my skirt pants.
1. Draw the waistline
First, fold the fabric on the diagonal. Make a mark at 33cm (13 inches) from the corner on both the diagonal and straight side. This measurement is ¼ hip size + 1/10 hip size + 1cm (0.4 inches) for seam allowance, so it will be different for you.
Using a measuring tape, mark 33cm (13 inches) at intervals between the two points, then connect them with a curved line. This will be the waistline of the skirt pants.
2. Mark the length of the skirt pants
From the curve, measure 75cm (30 inches) along the side of the fabric. This measurement is the length from your belly button to just below the knee, or whatever you would like the length of the pants to be.
Again, use your tape measure to mark 75cm (30 inches) from one side of the fabric to the other. Then, connect these marks to make a curved line.
3. Mark the crotch of the skirt pants
Mark 30cm (12 inches) along the diagonal side. This is the measurement from your belly button to over the crotch.
From here, make a mark at 9.2cm (3.6 inches) inwards from both the start of the waistline curve and the 30cm (12-inch) mark you just made. This measurement is 1/10 your hip size.
Connect the two marks together with a straight line across, then curve out the top right-hand corner.
4. Cut out the fabric
Cut the fabric along the lines you made for the waistline, length, and crotch.
Repeat the steps or use this as a pattern to make a second piece of fabric the same shape.
5. Cut out the pockets
Yes, these skirt pants also have pockets! Measure a rectangle 20cm x 30cm (8 inches x 12 inches). Make a mark in the center of the top long side, then draw a curve to the bottom right-hand corner. Cut out this shape.
Use the shape as a pattern to cut out three more fabric pieces of the same size.
6. Attach the pockets
Make a mark 5cm (2 inches) down from the waistline. This is the position where the pocket starts. Pin a pocket piece to the pant leg, as shown. Repeat on the opposite side of the same pant leg, then sew down.
7. Sew the side seams
Next, pin the sides of the pant leg together and sew down. Remember to go around the pockets, so you don’t sew them closed.
8. Sew up the bottom of the pockets
Mark 15cm (6 inches) down from the top of the pocket. This will be the opening of the pocket. Pin and sew the end of the opening closed.
Repeat the previous steps for the second pant leg.
9. Connect the pant legs at the crotch
Pin and sew the two pant legs together along the crotch seams.
10. Make the waistband
Next, measure a piece of fabric 1m x 8cm (40 inches x 3inches). The 1m (40-inch) length is my waistline, plus 2cm (0.8 inches) for seam allowance. The 8cm (3-inch) width is double the width of my elastic.
Sew the ends of the rectangle together to make a circle of fabric.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then pin the raw edges to the waistline of the skirt pants. Sew down, but remember to leave an opening for the elastic.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic, and pin to the skirt pants. Insert a bobby pin into the other end, to help feed it through the tunnel of fabric.
Sew the ends of the elastic together, then close the opening in the waistband.
11. Hem the skirt pants
Fold the fabric in twice, then pin.
Sew down to finish the skirt pants at the bottom.
How to sew skirt pants tutorial
My skirt pants are complete! Here’s my final result. These pants are so comfortable and pretty. Everyone thinks it’s a skirt and not pants! Let me know what you think of this tutorial and whether you like the half-skirt, half-pants look.
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could you do a simple tutorial to make a slip for maxi skirt. My attached slip stops mid thigh. Material of skirt to sheer. I wore petticoats for square dancing. My favorite were soft petticoats. The swirl and twirl of generous maxi dress is fun. gingerdvsn@gmail.com. I am a short, plus size woman. I feel feminine with maxi skirt swirling about my ankles. TY
Loved this skirt/pants. We had this back on the 60's & 70's. Was very easy to make. I could make a shorter one for riding my bike around our village.