As temperatures rise, I’m always on the hunt for a garment that’s equal parts boss and beach, and the wrap skirt trend delivers. Conservative enough to wear to the office while easy and breezy enough to throw over a swimsuit, our Cress Skirt free sewing pattern is as versatile as it is cute. Stay classic and comfortable by pairing a vibrant linen with a graphic tee, or go for a lightweight printed voile for days when you’re soaking up the sun. Want something that truly pops? Check out Mood’s African prints for some options that will instantly brighten your outfit! However you choose to style it, it’s sure to wrap up your summer wardrobe needs!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 5 yards Orchid Bloom Medium-Weight Linen
- 3 909 Light Lilac 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- MDF150 – The Cress Skirt Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Suggested Fabrics:
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
Step 1
First, sew your two skirt panels together at the center back seam using a French seam. Do the same with both of your ruffle pieces.
Step 2
Using a French seam again, attach the ruffle to the lower edge of your skirt, lining up both center back seams.
Step 3
Hem the edge of your skirt and ruffle. For the flat edges of the skirt, I went with a 1/4″ rolled hem, and then switched to a single fold and zig-zag stitch as I moved to the ruffle.
Step 4
Next, attach your skirt to one edge of your waistband, leaving a half inch of waistband on either end where you’ll be adding your ties. If needed, add a few 1/2″ pleats along the waistline of your skirt.
Step 5
Add a tie to either side of your waistband, matching up the shorter edges. Fold the waistbands and ties in half along the length and press. Fold your raw edges inward, press, and edge-stitch along its entirety.
Step 6
Try your skirt on and place a large buttonhole on your waistband at one of your skirt sides. When wearing your skirt, loop your lower layer tie through this buttonhole, wrap around your waist twice, and tie!
you have answered all my prayers , i really needed this ! gorgeous and super relevant pattern as usual, thanks a lot !
Yasssss!!!!!!!! This is just what I was looking for!!!!!
I dont understand how to cut the pattern…? theres a swirl in the pattern, im totally vonfused , help
Hi Lina! You cut two of the swirl – they become the ruffles along the bottom of the skirt.
Niice
I totally enjoyed making this skirt. Found a very cute lightweight linen with a polka dot pattern. Super cute, fun and flowy
Hi, love this pattern. I’m a sewing beginner and I cant seem to fit all the pieces on 5 yards of fabric. I’m a size 12/14 and I cant fit the two bigger pieces on the grainline along with the smaller pieces. (I tried folding the fabric in half and also just drawing the patterns and mirror images on the unfolded fabric.) However, I can fit the two bigger pieces not on the grainline and just the waistband piece so I am thinking of doing that and making the ties in a different fabric. How did you place the pieces on your fabric, did you use more than 5 yards? Thanks!
Hi Thanuri, I’m sorry the pattern is giving you trouble! How wide is the fabric you’re working with? I’ve made this a few times with 57″+ fabric up to a size 22 and haven’t used more than 5 yards yet.
Hi Courtney! The fabric I’m using is 45 inches by 186 inches (~5 yards). I didn’t realize they come in different widths, I would’ve looked out for that at the store! Do you have any suggestions regarding grainline and using a different fabric for the waistband and/or the ties? I was thinking about a wide ribbon for the ties, but I’m a novice so not too sure about it. Thanks so much!
Oh, I’m sorry about that! For this pattern, you could also place any of the pieces on the cross grain, if that helps you fit more. If you’d still like to use ribbon, that would definitely work – I’d just look for something strong and avoid anything with stretch. 🙂
Finally finished and I’m so happy with the way it turned out, thank you so much for all your help!!
Hi Courtney! Do you think this skirt would work in a double gauze? I’m trying to fill my quarantine time (I live in Berlin and we are in lockdown for the unforeseeable future) with some fun projects to help me look forward to the summertime. Thanks!
Hi, Rachel! Yes, this skirt would definitely work with a double gauze. 🙂
Hello Courntey! I have a question in terms of the shape of the Skirt. Is it longer at the back or is that just the way these pictures were taken and it does look like the technical Sketch?
Hi, Alessia! This skirt is longer in the back than it is in the front – the ruffle widens towards the back seam.
Can you make this pattern with cotton?
Hi Sally! Yes, a cotton voile or chambray would suit this pattern well. 🙂
hi!!!!!!! I can’t understand how to sew the tie on the belt… 🙁
Hi Dimitra! Hopefully I can help :). Just sew a tie on each end of the waistband. Wrong sides together, fold in half lengthwise, press the edges inward towards each other, then edgestitch closed. Try the skirt on and mark where the lower layer tie needs to come through, then sew a large buttonhole. Good luck!
thank you very much!! <3
I’m having trouble putting this pattern together. Is there some instructions on how to put it together?
Hi Melissa, 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: For putting the pattern together, place left-side margins over right-side margins, overlapping dashed lines and dots. This will also occur with the top and bottom margins.
Hi there!
I’m a large lady, size 22 currently. How much fabric would I need for this skirt. Also, do you think I could layer this over another dress for an additional look on my next cruise? If so, what dress would you recommend. I’m an apple shape. Thank you in advance
Hi Em, 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: you can find out how much fabric you will need by viewing the “Shop This Look” widget in the top right of the blog post. Happy sewing
Hi – would a lightweight cotton/terylene blend fabric work for this skirt? I’ve been given several yards of it that I need to use up and I think the pattern would be perfect
Hi Evan, that would work but it would probably have more body than the linen!
Hi Do you have instructions of how to sew this pattern
Hello, please view the instructions for sewing this pattern as you scroll down the blog post.
Im grateful to have found this pattern its good for my y’shtola cosplay
bonjour
je suis très contente de vos modèles et de l’explication , merci pour tout cela je ne peux que recommander le site a tous
merci
Any tips for making a paneled version of this skirt? I have 45” wide fabric I’d love it in!!
Hello, you can divide the skirt pattern by slashing it into several panels and adding seam allowance to each side.
Hi… I’m trying to make this skirt and I can’t tell how much fabric I will need. I fit in the 20 size range and the SHOP THIS LOOK is just saying the same thing no matter the size I pick? can anyone tell me how much fabric I will need?
Hello, 6 yards will be enough for this skirt pattern.
Hey there!
I would love to sew this beautiful skirt but unfortunately I’m very short. How would I shorten the length?
Right now the skirt would hit the floor, without the ruffles…
Hello, I would suggest to trim away 2-4 inches from the bottom of the skirt as well as the bottom of the ruffle piece.
Hi! I cant download this pattern. Is not available anymore? Thanks!
Please feel free to reach out to us at patterns@moodfabrics.com and we’ll make sure you get your free download. ✨
Hello! This looks like a super fun skirt to make. I have a 31″ waist and a 40.5″ hip measurement. Would you recommend that I go with the 12/14 or 16/18 size? This pattern looks loose enough that it would be fine to use the smaller size, but I would like a second opinion. 🙂 Also, how many yards of fabric should I get for my size? Would 5 yards be way more than I need?
Thanks so much!
-KJ
Why do the pattern pieces have 2 opposing grain line arrows? I’m pretty new to sewing and I’m not sure what that means. Thanks
Hi Naomi! Not all patterns have this, but this pattern is just showing that when using a woven fabric, the two perpendicular grainlines should line up with the warp and weft of the woven fabric.
HI! As a beginner I’m a little confused by step 4&5 — are there any more detailed instructions?
This is such a beautiful skirt! I’m super excited to make it!
Would a fairly heavy knit work? My fabric is 58/60in wide. Would I need a full 5 yards of it, for a size 14 or 16?
Thank you for the lovely pattern! <3 Jesus loves you!
-Kj
I don’t know if I would recommend using a knit fabric with a lot of stretch for this pattern, but if you do, I would just size down a size or two to allow for stretch.
Thanks for your reply! My fabric doesn’t have too much stretch, so I’m gonna go for it. 🙂 I’m using size 12/14.
For a knit fabric, which grain line arrow follows the selvage? Does it matter, since it’s like a circle skirt?
In general, when sewing with a fabric that only stretches in one direction, you want to make sure that the stretch of the fabric is oriented perpendicularly to the vertical line of your body, meaning you want the fabric to stretch around your hips, not lengthwise.
Got it, thanks! I’m doing it the opposite way on the waistband, though, since it really needs the horizontal strength.
Hello Everyone,
I am very new at sewing, my question is I love this skirt and downloaded the pattern.
1. Can this pattern also work for this skirt “ Medium Weight Linen Woven – Kelly Green – Grasmere Collection. Product #: 134677” ?
2. Do you think a lining would be necessary? If so what would be a recommendation?
3. My last question is when it says “Part/Model” does that mean the page number on the downloaded pattern?
Thank you for your response and have a good day everyone.
Hi Tania!
1. I think a linen woven would be a great choice for this skirt.
2. If your linen is medium weight and somewhat opaque, I don’t think it needs a lining. But if you do opt for a lining, I recommend a cotton voile or maybe poplin. Something thinner and more flowy than the linen.
3. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing anywhere where it says “Part/Model” on the pattern or in the tutorial steps, but usually the part refers to the pattern piece. The pattern pieces are labeled as which part of the skirt they are (waistband, ties, skirt, etc).
would quilting cotton work for this skirt?
Yeah that would be cute! It might need a lining if it’s too sheer but you’re probably fine. The cotton gauze is kind of sheer too.
Hi! Just wondering how much fabric I would need if I cut in the size 8/10 ?
Hey Megan! 5 yards should be sufficient!