Yoga pants and joggers are probably what the majority of us wear to workout in. But what about the skort; the unsung hero of athleisure! I bet the mere mention of a skort has most of us seeing flashbacks of running around the schoolyard. But, you can’t deny their versatility and functionality! Adults are catching on and the skort is finally having its moment in the world of athleisure. So why not sew your very own using our Arbor Skort free sewing pattern? We even included a pocket for your phone! I love the idea of turning this into a workout set with a matching top that can also double as swimwear. Hiking, swimming, jogging, walking, yoga, tennis, you name the activity and there’s an Arbor Skort that can be made for it!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2 yards of Santorini Plus Lavanda UV Protective Stretch Recycled Swimwear Tricot
- 1 spool of 930 Bright Lavender 250m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- 1 package of Heat & Bond Lite Soft Stretch Web Adhesive – 5/8″ x 10 yards
- MDF323 – The Arbor Skort Free Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are ⅜”, and hem allowances are ⅝”.
A few notes before you get started:
- Because this fabric has stretch, I used a walking foot attachment.
- For the hems, waistband attachment, and the pocket, I used Heat & Bond Soft Stretch Lite. I’d highly recommend using it, or another stabilizing tape if you’re sewing with a stretch fabric!
- This fabric doesn’t fray, so I used a single fold hem.
How to sew the shorts:
Step 1
Place the front short piece to the back short piece. Notches aligned, sew the outer leg seam. Because this is a stretch fabric, I used a straight stretch stitch. I also topstitched for extra reinforcement. Repeat on the other leg.
Step 2
Press the pocket edges down according to the guidelines on the pattern. I used the soft stretch adhesive here. Press the top down with more adhesive, and sew ⅝”.
Step 3
Choose the side you want the pocket to go on. Align it with the pocket markings you transferred during the pattern cutting process. If you’re using adhesive, iron the pocket onto the shorts. Topstitch the edges of the pocket.
Step 4
Sew up the inseam of each leg. Topstitch if desired.
Step 5
Right sides together, align notches and put one leg into the other. Sew up the rise, and then topstitch.
Step 6
Hem the shorts. Use the adhesive before sewing for a clean look, as pictured above.
How to sew the skirt:
Step 1
Right sides together, sew up each side of the skirt. Topstitch and hem.
Step 2
Place the right side of the shorts inside the skirt. Make sure the fronts are on the same side, and the side seams are aligned. Sew along the top edge to secure the two together before we put the waistband on.
How to sew the waistband:
Step 1
Right sides together, sew the top edge of the front waistband. Repeat with the back waistband.
Step 2
Unfold the front and back waistband pieces. Place them right sides together and sew each short end so that you now have a closed waistband.
Attaching the waistband to the skort:
Step 1
Unfold and place the front waistband to the front of the skort, right sides together. Align edges and side seams, using the adhesive to secure it. Repeat on the back. Sew together.
Step 2
Fold the waistband at its top seam. Topstitch the outer facing waistband, catching the inner band as pictured above.
Thank You, having reached a certain maturity in age, shorts are not always appropriate but a skort is.
Oh, I sew agree! I make skorts for myself, & I love wearing them, in both FLA, & in PA where I split my year. They are so much more flattering than shorts, but much more casual than wearing a dress!
Never let age or society dictate what you choose to wear. Wear what makes you feel great.
Perfect advise, thank you 🙂
I am a pickleball player and this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Mood.
Thank you…will make a terrific golf skort that actually fits me! I will adapt to add side pockets to carry extra ball, golf tees, score card.
Can you please share adaptation that you’ve made? I’m a newbie golfer and the search for a decent skort has been a nightmare…
Wow thanks this is perfect for running after the grandkids
Can’t wait to try this pattern. Am curious – do you use a small zigzag stitch for hemming? Haven’t sewn with this type fabric in many, many years.
Hi Georgia! We used a straight stretch stitch for hemming this fabric. 😀
No, I use a narrow, rather small zigzag stitch for seams, & a twin needle (knit/stretch) for all hems & topstitching. Make sure you use polyester thread.
Thank you for this pattern. Going to adapt to make a bathing suit bottom.
Hello. Could you please share how you did that? As im also here to try and adapt for swimsuit, but im a total beginner. Any help would be awesome. Thank you!
Could this pattern be adapted to a stretch cotton?
Hi Sherry! A cotton jersey would work well. For this pattern, we used a fabric that had all-way stretch measuring 45-50%.
Yaaahhhh! There are already so many beautiful patterns and then also this one…awesome!
Ahhhhh this is so exciting!! I’ve been looking for a skort pattern for ages! I would love a version for non-stretchy fabrics, but I’m so excited to try this out!
Awwww, you really are the best. You´re work is highly appreciated!!!!!! Thank you, merci, danke and obrigadooo 🙂
Hi! Would it be possible to use a simple domestic sewing machine for this project, or do you need an over/interlock to sew this stretchy fabric? I’d love to make this skort, but I don’t have an interlock at home.
Hi Fruzsi, yes it’s totally possible! In fact, I used a domestic sewing machine for this project! As mentioned in the post, I highly recommend buying a walking foot attachment and some Soft Stretch fusible tape (or something similar). Good luck! 🙂
Thank you! I have a walking foot attachment, so I will definitely give this a go 🙂
Thank you! A skort in knit fabric ! Would be so in your debt if a non knit fabric pattern might happen in the future.
Thank you so much for this pattern! I’m a runner and skorts are my favorite bottoms for running in spring, summer, and fall. I’m looking forward to trying to make a pair.
Do you happen to know approximately how much yardage is needed for each part (e.g. the skirt and then the shorts)? I ask because when running I prefer compression fabric for the shorts so that they stay in place and don’t ride up. So, I was thinking of trying Mood’s 5.6 oz Silver Matte Tricot w/ High Compression for the shorts, but a regular swimwear tricot for the skirt. Thank you!
Hi GC! Glad you are loving this pattern. To err on the safe side, I would say 1-1.5 yards of each fabric is needed, depending on your size. 😀
Thanks so much!
Hi, can you please check if your waist band panels on the pattern are labeled correctly? I have made it twice, the first time it looked strange so I had to rip my overlocker attached band to flip it back to front, I am beginner but it looks not right to me. I will attach link to the website where there is my review with band photo.
Thanks,
Hello! we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: The curved waistband happens simply because the darts are joined together from the block. If you would like to change the amount of curve the waistband has, we recommend sewing a mock-up and adjusting accordingly.
Thank you for another wonderful pattern! Is there plans in the future to make this with non stretch fabrics? Would be awesome.
Hi Wendy, that’s been a popular request so we’ve added it to our list! Stay tuned 🙂
I am unable to download the pattern. When I click on the link, nothing happens. Help, please.
H Karen, if you’re still having difficulty downloading the pattern, simply email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send it directly to you. 🙂
Hi,
So glad to see that the “normal” figure is finally getting some attention and some wonderful patterns. When I try to print this by hitting the print icon in gold, it does not print. Okay, so I tried the PDF version and this is my error message:
Temporary files directory “/home/jetrails/moodfabrics.com/html/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-print-posts/cache/” is not writable.
Can you please direct me to the person who can help me?
Lastly, I too would love to see a version of this in a non-stretch fabric.
Thank you for taking care of us.
Regards,
Hi Victoria! We’re so sorry about that. If you’re still having trouble downloading the file, email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send the pattern directly to you! The skort in a woven fabric is a popular request! We are listening 🙂
I’ve been liking skorts lately because you can be comfy and not look like you’re in lounge wear. But my biggest issue as a thick thighed girl is everything thats sold online/ in stores, the shorts are sooo short. I’m so happy this pattern has longer shorts! I had to kind of grade the waist in on them because I’m rather curvy and have a small waist for the size I need for my hips and butt. This pattern worked great and the fact that there are pockets brings me so much joy
Hi Meghan! We’re so happy that you’re enjoying the pattern. 🙂
Wooh! First time using Lycra and boy was it a steep learning curve, but I finished the skort and am happy to have something I can walk my dog in the summer heat without flashing everyone when I pick up after him. Thank you for this pattern, I’m excited to try it again!
Could you make this in non stretch and add a zip in the side please , would the size stay true if made that way
Hi Barb, you could try using a non stretch fabric, but since this pattern was specifically drafted for a stretch fabric, it might take some trial and error. We urge you to make a muslin first, and use the finished garment measurements chart to choose your size.
This will be great for pickleball. Thank you.
Hi Mary, this would be perfect for pickleball! We actually used this pattern in our pickleball dress redux!
Hi Do you have the pattern in projector format please? I’m looking forward to making it but don’t have facility to print out the pattern. Thanks
Hi Clare, unfortunately in order to keep our patterns free we can only have them available in US letter and A4 format.
Does this work with a 2-way stretch fabric such as a merino?
A merino with 2-way stretch should work great as an alternative.
What is the finished length of this pattern and does it allow for lengthening. Thanks.
Really wish there was a way to only print 1-2 sizes on this (Arbor skort) pattern.
Hello,
Thank you for visiting and downloading from Mood Sewciety!
In order to keep our free sewing patterns free, we are exclusively offering an A4-Letter size version that includes all sizes.
We appreciate your request and will keep it in mind for future patterns.
Happy Sewing!
The MoodSewciety Team
How do you attach the skirt and pants together?
Hello, to join the skirt and the shorts, start by placing the shorts inside the skirt. Sew both pieces together along the top edge of the waistline with 1/4″, making sure the side seams are matched up. Finish the garment by sewing the waistband to both layers together.
Made with a zipper pocket waistband for running. Also pockets on both legs. It’s also easy to put a “key” pocket inside front.
Another sewing project completed
This golf skirt ⛳️was literally “cobbled together” using multiple fabric peices, as the original fabric was cut for another dress (coming in 2025).
This pattern was downloaded from the Mood.com website and the red Balenciaga fabric is also from Mood (ordered last year from NYC).
I golf skirt includes a pair of white shorts inside. I altered the pattern by adding a pocket to the outside back. Repurposed an exercise shirt by adding a pop of matching color. from the skirt fabric. Love it, love it and the fit is great. Fore!!!! ⛳️️♀️
(p.s. Now I have to find a place to play)
Can I use Heat N Bond Ultra? I appreciate that Ultra is meant for fusing and Lite is meant for sewing; are they interchangeable for this type of fabric?
Yeah it should still work!
Thanks to Shavonne and Mood for the fun pattern!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DH15ZarI_MV/
For those that looking for an easier pattern to sew stretch fabric, this has only a few pieces and is IMHO is pretty forgiving since you don’t see the shorts underneath. I used sweatshirt fabric for the skirt part, so that made it a less finicky sew.
If I were to make it again, I would use the pattern size based on my hip measurements. I did it based on my waist measurements and this skort sits lower.
Where are the cutting directions?
Hello! The cutting instructions are labeled on each pattern piece to determine where to cut & how many to cut.
where is my free pattern The Arbor Skort. I subscribed even thou I already have a login for Mood. I received an email but only included a 15% off coupon it did not include the link for the free pdf pattern.
Please reach out to us at patterns@moodfabrics.com and we’ll make sure you get your free download. ✨
My granddaughter made this for her 4-H project. Why does the skort hang longer in the back? She made the size 2 and it is still snug to pull up. We bought the material you suggested.
Hi Vicki, most of our patterns that are made with stretchy fabric are made with negative ease, meaning that the garment is meant to be tight enough that the fabric needs to be stretched slightly to pull onto the body. This is as intended. As far as the back skirt, the pattern was drafted to be a bit longer in the back to cover the butt.
Hello. Beautiful pattern, thank you very much. Has anyone made it into a dress please? I am not sure how to make a bodice to attach to it. Thank you.
Hey Celine! If you want to make this into a dress, I recommend checking out the patterns for the Camden Onesie and the Olympia Tennis Dress. Both of these patterns are a romper-style athletic outfit with a skirt either attached or separate. Maybe you could use the top pattern pieces from one of these patterns and sew it to the Arbor skort? Let me know how that works out if you try it.
Great pattern — thank you! I’ve made 2 pickleball skirts so far. Getting better… the second one is better than the first. The next one, I’m going to try to adapt the pattern to add some gathers. Thanks again for the free pattern and straightforward instructions.
I love it