inside: Learn how to sew a skirt with large pockets and a cute easy elastic waistband. This simple sewing tutorial will should you how to make a skirt and includes a one size fits all pocket template.
**Updated 9/2023**
Several years ago I sewed up this skirt. It was perfect for the skirt I was imagining. It has worked well for all seasons and I adore the pockets! I recently sewed myself another one of these fabulous skirts with pockets and today I’m re-sharing the tutorial for how to sew a skirt with pockets PLUS giving you a template for the pockets. I also have added a link below to the full tutorial on YouTube if you would like.
![gathered skirt with pockets and pocket template](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/skirt-with-pockets-social.jpg)
Skirt with Pockets tutorial –
Want to see this skirt sewed up in a video? Here is the link to a previously live show where I sewed up this skirt with pockets.
Let’s show off a few more photos of the finished skirt before we jump into the tutorial of how to make a skirt. I now have two versions of the skirt for you to see. The original white/orange skirt is still going strong 5 years later! I just wore it to a Brother show in Aug. {see post for all the outfits I made/wore}
The new version is the more colorful one, but you will see photos of both in this post.
![simple skirt patterns with pockets](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-sewing-tutorial1.jpg)
![skirt with pockets and free pocket template](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-6-2.jpg)
Things don’t always play out like I plan in my head, but I’m pretty pleased with this skirt.
Here’s a link to the fun fabric I used in this project: Deep Coral and White Vertical Stripe Herringbone Rayon Challis – this fabric is no longer available but the link will take you to the general Rayon Challis page on Raspberry Creek Fabrics and there are so many gorgeous prints!
![cute skirt with pockets - tutorial for how to sew a skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-5-2.jpg)
![skirt with pockets sewing tutorial](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-4-2.jpg)
The new fabric is from Spoonflower and part of my prep for the Houston Quilt Festival where I will be with AllBrands. I’m sewing a few more “quiltly” looking pieces for my wardrobe. The second skirt is Poly Crepe de Chine and it’s a bit thinner than the rayon challis, but both work beautifully for this skirt.
![flowing gathered skirt with waistband and pockets](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-2-3-780x1241.jpg)
![skirt sewing tutorial and pocket pattern to make a skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-sewing-tutorial2-737x1024.jpg)
Even just seeing these photos makes me love it even more and the pockets are perfection {if I do say so myself!} I wasn’t sure if I should make a flat waistband in the front, but I’m glad I just kept the skirt simple with an elastic band, but I love the 2″ width.
![how to make a skirt with pockets sewing tutorial and pocket pattern](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-sewing-tutorial-694x1024.jpg)
![how to sew a skirt with pockets](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-7-2-780x1189.jpg)
![](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/skirt-with-pockets-9-2-780x1223.jpg)
For the second skirt I did two rows of top-stitching on the waistband, but still kept the 2″ elastic and I do love it so much. Plus it’s super comfy to wear.
Let’s jump in and get sewing.
How to sew a skirt with pockets –
You will first need to gather your supplies –
- 2″ wide elastic
- 3 yards of light flowing fabric… like rayon challis {three yards should work for most sizes!}
- Print Pocket Pattern.
![skirt sewing supplies](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets14-1024x683.jpg)
For the main skirt pieces I measure my low waist {30} Or high waist- and then the distance from there to my low calf} length of skirt. You want your skirt to be at least double your waist… I went a bit more. I cut a front panel of 40 x length and a back of width of fabric x length. Cut a front and back width x length to your liking. For larger sizes you would want 2 panels of the width of fabric {usually around 55″-60″} If your fabric is not as wide {less than 55} cut 3 or for panels and buy more yards of fabric.
Then cut a waistband and pockets. The pockets are two whole and two with cut outs both in mirror and the waist band is hips + 10″ x 4.75″. So my band is 4.75″ tall x 44″ long.
![pockets for skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets13-1024x683.jpg)
We will start by sewing the pockets to the front panel of the skirt I place one of the pockets with cut out on the upper right side of the skirt front. You can pre-trim out the corner or just sew first. Align the top and right edge with right sides together and stitch with a 3/8″ seam allowance on pocket curve.
![sewing a skirt with pockets](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets11-1024x683.jpg)
I trimmed the fabric as I sewed with my serger, but if you use a sewing machine you will trim the extra fabric after sewing.
![add pockets to a skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets10-1024x683.jpg)
Fold and press back the pocket. Top-stitch close to the fold.
![skirt pockets](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets9-1024x683.jpg)
![make a skirt tutorial](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets8-1024x683.jpg)
With right sides together place the full pocket pouch on pocket piece and sew the curved sides as shown clipped below.
![how to add pockets to a skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets7-1024x683.jpg)
Arrange the pocket as shown from the front and then tack down and top and side of the pocket.
Repeat with second pocket on other side of skirt front.
![skirt with pockets easy tutorial](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets6-1024x683.jpg)
Place the skirt front and back together with right sides touching. Align the top of skirt panels and sew from top to bottom on both side seams.
![sew up skirt side seams](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets5-1024x683.jpg)
I like to hem my skirt at this point. You can also hem it after you have created the waist. Finish the raw edge with a serger or 1/4″ fold then fold up another 1/2″ and sew with a sewing machine straight stitch.
![Hem the skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets4-1024x683.jpg)
Take the waistband you cut {should be hips + 10″} and sew the short ends together to create a circle.
![cut and sew the waistband](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets12-1024x683.jpg)
Now gather the front and back of the skirt to match the waistband. I gathered the front of the skirt, but did not gather the top of the pocket opening {the part where you hand goes in} So my gathering stitches just went from pocket top-stitching to pocket top-stitching.
Gather the front and back separately to each match 1/2 of the waistband. Check out this post for help gathering.
![Gather the skirt waist](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets2-1024x683.jpg)
Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides together to create a circle. Pin the raw edges of the back to the skirt placing the waistband seam in the center of the back skirt panel.
Sew the three layers of fabric together {two of band and one of gathered skirt. Leave a 3″ opening to thread elastic into band.
Measure the elastic on your waist {where you want the skirt to sit} and cut 1″ smaller than measurement. Thread the elastic through the band {it should fit snugly}
sew the ends of the elastic together by overlapping, then pull inside the waistband and sew the opening closed.
Stretch {to avoid puckers} and sew a single top-stitch down the middle of the elastic on the right side of the skirt fabric. This will keep the elastic in place and also adds a nice finishing touch.
![pin waistband to skirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets1-1024x683.jpg)
![leave opening for elastic](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets-1024x683.jpg)
![thread elastic through waistband](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pockets3-1024x683.jpg)
![finished skirt waistband](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sew-a-skirt-with-pocket16s-1024x683.jpg)
That’s it! You’ve now sewn a super cute skirt with pockets! Here are some fun shirts to pair with your new skirt.. In the photos above I’m wearing a highly modified Easy Breezy Summer Tee.
Cute tops to pair with skirt
![free sewing pattern womens spring tee](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/spring-tee-womens-sewing-pattern-3-683x1024.jpg)
![T Shirt Sewing Pattern FREE](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/T-Shirt-Sewing-Pattern-FREE-3.jpg)
![Nap-Time Creations SALE](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/sale-promo-768x1024.jpg)
![slouchy sweatshirt](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/slouchy-sweatshirt-7-Copy-1024x686.jpg)
![boyfriend style tee free sewing pattern](https://lifesewsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/womens-boyfriend-tee-social.jpg)
Makcit says
How do o see trouser band? Thank you.
Illustration please.
Carolyn Maslin says
I loved your direction s for making the pocket on the skirt with the elastic yband. How can I get the pocket pattern? Thanks.
Joyfully,
Carolyn
Emily says
click the link under supplies that says print pocket pattern
Emily says
There is a link in the post with a link to the pocket patern
Beal says
Thank you for the tutorial! Is that knitted elastic?
Emily says
it is!
Lorraine Corrigan says
Thank you for your tutorial. I have 3 yards of a medium weight linen, do you think it would be suitable for this pattern?
Many thanks,
Lorraine
Donna says
As a newish sewer I enjoyed the tutorial and have watched the video…I’m assuming the seam allowance is 5/8ths? That’s my only suggestion is to share what seam allowance you used in the tutorial for us newer/greener sewers!
Donna says
I stand corrected! I re-read the tutorial and see the seam allowance is 3/8ths!