For all the women sewists out there, I have something special for you! Let’s take a little break from sewing for kids and our homes and make something beautiful for ourselves.
This time, I’m sharing a sewing tutorial for the viral drawstring skirt pattern for women — an easy, stylish, and beginner-friendly project you can put together in no time! In fact, once the cutting is done, you can sew it up in just 15 minutes or so.
If you are new to sewing, this is the perfect DIY skirt project to start with. With just a few rectangular pieces and a handful of straight stitches, you can create a gorgeous skirt to pair with almost any top in your wardrobe.
Make it short, midi, or long to match your style and occasion — the possibilities are endless!
How to Sew a Women’s Skirt in 15 minutes
Materials Required:
- Medium- weight cotton, linen, rayon or any other flowy fabric (I chose the mentioned fabrics to make sewing easier for beginners, if you are comfortable sewing with other flowy fabrics like crepe or satin, you may opt that too)- 3 yards.
- Sewing Notions.
Cutting Dimensions
Skirt Pieces (Cut 2)
- Width of each skirt piece = Waist measurement × 2.5 ÷ 2
So, for a 36” waist:
(36 × 2.5) ÷ 2 = 90 ÷ 2 = 45”
- Length of each skirt piece = Desired finished length + 2”
So, for a 40” finished length:
40 + 2 = 42”
You will need two skirt pieces, each measuring 42” long and 45” wide.
Channel Pieces (Cut 2)
- Width of each channel piece = 2”
- Length of each channel piece = Width of the skirt piece − 1”
So, for a 45” wide skirt piece:
45 − 1 = 44”
You will need two channel pieces, each measuring 44” long and 2” wide.
Ties (Cut 2)
- Width of each tie = 1.5”
- Length of each tie = 3 × the width of the skirt piece
So, for a 45” wide skirt piece:
45 × 3 = 135”
You will need two ties, each measuring 135” long and 1.5” wide.
Gather your supplies.
Cut your skirt, channel and tie pieces referring to the measurements given above.
Let’s join the skirt pieces.
Layer the two skirt pieces with the right sides together and lining up the edges.
Sew the side seams shut on both sides. Press the seams flat.
Next we finish the upper and lower edges of the skirt.
Fold the upper and lower edges of the skirt by 1/2- inch twice and press to set.
Sew down the folds along the upper and lower edge.
Next, we prepare the channels.
Fold the two long edges of the channel towards the wrong side by 1/2- inch and press to set. Next, fold the short edges by 1/2- inch twice and press to set. Sew down the folds.
Repeat on the other channel.
Let’s prepare the ties.
1) Fold the two long edges by 1/2- inch towards the wrong side and press. Next, fold the two short edges towards the wrong side by 1/2- inch and press to set. 2) Fold again in half lengthwise and press once again.
3) Sew the tie shut along the edge of the folds. Repeat to get the other tie ready.
Let’s sew the channel to the skirt.
Turn the skirt over to the right side. Leaving 1/2- inch from the top edge and 3/4- inch from the side seam, start pinning the channel to the skirt along the long edges on both sides. Keep pinning till the whole of the channel is pinned to the skirt. Repeat on the other side of the skirt with the other channel.
Sew the channel to the skirt along the long edges on both sides, removing the pins as you go.
Sew a straight line along the middle of the channel. This is to separate the casings for the two ties. Repeat on the other side.
Start inserting the tie through one end of the upper casing, using a safety pin. Continue inserting the tie into the casing on the other side, till the tie comes out to meet the other end.
Next, take the other tie and start inserting it through the lower casing, but from the opposite side. Continue as before.
Tie the ends of the tie in a knot and pull the ends to gather the skirt. Our drawstring skirt is done.
Pin it for later here,
Ashley
Friday 29th of May 2026
This looks so cute. I’ve made lots of elastic skirts but never with a drawstring. Can’t wait to make this! Off to the fabric store! I’d love to see a better picture of the finished skirt especially on a model. The way they are hanging is hard to see.
Surayya
Friday 29th of May 2026
Thank you! The drawstring is a nice addition while still keeping the skirt easy and comfortable to wear. Hope you enjoy making it! And thanks for pointing that out about the photos. I’ll try to add a clearer picture of the finished skirt on a model so the shape is easier to see.
Donna Sue
Friday 29th of May 2026
I enjoy skirts! Going to give it a try! Thank you
Surayya
Friday 29th of May 2026
Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that. 😊 Happy sewing!