The Alana button front skirt features a curved front hem detail, elastic back waist for better fitting and a modest midi length. I will make a great outfit when paired with soft flowy blouse or form fitting knit top and cardigan. Modest yet not grumpy!
Let’s have a closer look at this design:
As usual, my pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL so you may find a suitable size for yourself. If you are not sure which size suits you, take a look at the measurement table before doing anything here: SIZE GUIDE.
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.
My patterns are now made in both A4/Letter paper and A0 paper format so you can print at home or at any print shop!
For home printers, you can print this using your home printer and either A4 or Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit. I was informed by a reader that you can also print the pdf as image to get the right scale, however I never tested it on my computer.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is intended for woven fabric.
- Light to medium weight fusible interfacing
- Some 1 inch (2.5cm) wide elastic for back waistband
- 8 buttons
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this:
You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern piece. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.
The fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Front: cut 2 mirrored
- Button Stand: cut 2 mirrored
- Front Facing: cut 2 mirrored
- Front Waistband: cut 4 self + 2 fusible interfacing (in mirrored pairs)
- Back: cut 2 mirrored
- Back Waistband: cut 2 self + 1 fusible interfacing
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, pin the pattern pieces to the fabric to secure them in place. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the fabric pieces along the outer lines of the pattern. Take your time to ensure precise and clean cuts, as this will affect the fit and overall appearance of your garment.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats, draw marks etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge/zig zag stitch the raw edge to prevent fabric from unraveling. Apply fusible interfacing to the corresponding pieces (for the pieces that you want to be inside layer of the garment).
2. Place Front and Button Stand right side facing, pin and sew to join.
3. Place Front Facing and the joined Front skirt right side facing, pin and sew to attach the facing piece to the front piece. Trim the seam allowance, clip the curve and staystitch seam allowance to the Front Facing piece. Repeat with the other side.
4. Fold and sew the back waist dart on the Back piece.
5. Place two back pieces right side facing. Pin and sew the center back seam. Fold the kick pleat to one side and sew to secure position.
6. Place Front and Back pieces right side facing. Pin and sew the side seams.
7. Place Front Waistband and Back Waistband right side facing, sew the side seams. Repeat to get a pair of waistband.
8. Place two waistband pieces right side facing, match the notches, pin and sew around the edges of the waistband, leaving the bottom edge of the waistband open. Clip corners, staystitch seam allowance to the side that has fusible interfacing. Fold the seam allowance of the unsewn edge inside.
9. Place the outside flap of the waistband right side facing the main garment. Match the seams, pin and sew to attach the waistband to the main garment.
10. Cut a piece of elastic 4 inches (10cm) shorter than the distance between two notches on the back waistband. Put the elastic in between two layers of the back waistband, matching the notches. Pin to attach two ends of the elastic to the waistband.
11. Carefully push the seam allowance of the waist seam into the waistband, place the folded inside flap of the waistband on top. Use stitch in the ditch technique or hand sew to finish the waistband. Stitch two ends of the elastic piece to the waistband.
13. Fold and sew the hem of the skirt. Blind stitch or hand stitching would give you best result.
And here is the download link:
ALANA BUTTON FRONT SKIRT SIZE XXS-5XL (A0 PAPER FORMAT)
ALANA BUTTON FRONT SKIRT SIZE XXS-5XL (A4/LETTER PAPER FORMAT)
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device. An advertisement may pop up, just close it and continue with your download. In case some ads attempt to make you enter your personal info, just ignore and close it. I do NOT require any kind of information to download my pattern files.
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns or tag me on Instagram #tianasclosetsewingpatterns, I will be thrilled to see the garment in real life!
