The Last Minute Skirt

Fabric choice

Main fabric: woven fabrics in medium to heavy weight such as: brocade, tweed, suiting, denim (jeans), wool fabrics such as boiled wool, heavy non stretch velvet such as corduroy, leather and fake leather… Some woolen coating fabrics may also work (you may need to size up if your fabric is thick and your measurements are close to upper size).

Note: if the fabric you like is too lightweight (a nice metallic jacquard for example), you may still use it with this pattern after fully interfacing the pieces. In that case, choose a very soft and lightweight fusible interfacing (try on a small piece of fabric first: it should add body and weight without making your fabric stiff) and interface the whole skirt with it.

Lining: lightweight and silky fabrics such as satin (polyester, viscose, silk…), rayon, tencel, cupro…

Lining is optional and can be skipped if your main fabric has a soft surface inside and is tightly-woven (not recommended for loose tweed for example). Personally I prefer to add a lining for comfort and to prevent the skirt from riding up when moving or walking.

Notions

1/4 yard (20cm) of fusible interfacing for the waistband (unless you chose to interface the whole skirt because your fabric is lightweight: in that case, you will need as much interfacing as your main fabric), matching thread for your fabric, scissors, pins, a marking pen, a machine needle that fits your fabric type, an invisible zipper about 8 inches (20cm).

Sewing level

Unlined version: confident beginner (2/5). If you have already sewn a garment and know how to read a pattern and its explanations, you will have no trouble making this skirt. The only technical step is the invisible zipper. You can find here a video tutorial explaining how to install an invisible zipper.

Lined version: intermediate (3/5). All steps are explained in a 20-pages illustrated booklet.

Required fabric length

The amount of fabric required is calculated with a small safety margin of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). Increase quantity for pattern matching if your fabric has a pattern on it. Pieces shown in white are placed wrong side up.

Length in meters

Main fabric

International sizes	XXS to M	L to XL
French Poetry sizes (size guide)	0 to 8	10 to 16
55” (140cm) width	0.55 meter	0.65 meter
43” (110cm) width	0.55 meter	1.2 meter

Lining

International sizes	XXS to M	L to XL
French Poetry sizes (size guide)	0 to 8	10 to 16
55” (140cm) width	0.4 meter	0.5 meter
43” (110cm) width	0.4 meter	1.05 meter

Length in yards

Main fabric

International sizes	XXS to M	L to XL
French Poetry sizes (size guide)	0 to 8	10 to 16
Required length in 55” wide fabric	0.6 yard	0.7 yard
Required length in 43” wide fabric	0.6 yard	1.3 yard

Lining

International sizes	XXS to M	L to XL
French Poetry sizes (size guide)	0 to 8	10 to 16
Required length in 55” wide fabric	0.44 yard	0.55 yard
Required length in 43” wide fabric	0.44 yard	1.15 yard

Finished garment measurements

You can find your French Poetry size based on your measurements or ready-to-wear size (US, EU, UK, AU, international) using the Size guide. This skirt sits about an inch (2.5cm) below natural waist and is quite loose at waist and fitted at hips. If in between sizes, I recommend choosing the one indicated for your hips circumference and adjust the skirt to your waist and back curve using the darts, side seams and back seam as explained further in the instructions booklet.

Measurements in centimeters

International size	XXS	XS	S	M	M	L	L	L	XL
French Poetry size (size guide)	0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16
Waist	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96
Hips	86	90	94	98	102	106	110	114	118
Length	40.6	41.4	42.2	43	43.8	44.6	45.4	46.2	47

Measurements in inches

International size	XXS	XS	S	M	M	L	L	L	XL
French Poetry size (size guide)	0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16
Waist	25	27	28.5	30	31.5	33	34.5	36	38
Hips	34	35.5	37	38.5	40	41.5	43.5	45	46.5
Length	16	16.5	16.5	17	17	17.5	18	18	18.5

Finished garment measurements

Measurements in centimeters

Intl size	French Poetry size (size guide)	Waist (cm)	Hips (cm)	Length (cm)
XXS	0	64	86	40.6
XS	2	68	90	41.4
S	4	72	94	42.2
M	6	76	98	43
M	8	80	102	43.8
L	10	84	106	44.6
L	12	88	110	45.4
L	14	92	114	46.2
XL	16	96	118	47

Measurements in inches

Intl size	French Poetry size (size guide)	Waist (inches)	Hips (inches)	Length (inches)
XXS	0	25	34	16
XS	2	27	35.5	16.5
S	4	28.5	37	16.5
M	6	30	38.5	17
M	8	31.5	40	17
L	10	33	41.5	17.5
L	12	34.5	43.5	18
L	14	36	45	18
XL	16	38	46.5	18.5

Video tutorial

You will find here a video tutorial to guide you through all the steps in making this skirt (hit play then click on the symbol in the bottom right corner to display the video in full screen). A fully illustrated step-by-step instructions booklet is also included with your purchase. Please note that the video was made several years ago, instructions may differ slightly from the booklet (follow one method or the other).

Do you need more explanations on how to insert a zipper, make a narrow hem for example? Many other video tutorials are available on the tutorials page.

Your makes on Instagram

Tag your makes with #thelastminuteskirt or #frenchpoetrypatterns hashtag to share them with other sewists 🙂

SEE MORE ON INSTAGRAM

A young brunette woman wears a glittery silver and gold mini skirt with a grey loose sweater. She stands in a brightly lit living room, decorated for the holidays.

Cyrielle made her Last Minute skirt in a glittery fabric for the holidays. She paired it with a grey sweater for a very French chic look. She made this skirt hours before the party: this is such a quick and easy skirt sewing pattern, she was able to finish right on time!

A blonde woman with long hair is wearing a matching set in a black and white houndstooth fabric: a fitted mini skirt and bombers. She paired them with a small red handbag and black sunglasses.

The last minute skirt sewing pattern was made here in a very chic matching set: we love the black and white houndstooth, and casual chic look paired with bombers!

A young brunette woman with long hair is wearing a brown tartan mini skirt with a white aran sweater.

Elise made her Last Minute Skirt in a very chic prince of Wales fabric. Paired with an Aran sweater, this is a perfect casual chic outfit, showcasing legs in style!

A woman with long curly hair is wearing a fitted mini skirt made of a golden brocade with a black sweater and tights.

We love this gold jacquard miniskirt. Tsafra styled it with a black sweater and tights to bring out the gold of the skirt and emphasize her silhouette.