Wrap Skirt

I created two simple skirt patterns to go with the East African Kangas I sold back in February (more will be available soon!), and I had a lot of requests to offer the skirts as an ePattern for download. So here it is, and it’s just one dollar! This ePattern contains instructions for a retro-1970s “maxi” skirt and a very simple hip-yoke A-line skirt. You do not need full pattern pieces to make these skirts; I provide all the measurements and instructions with photos, illustrations, and graphed pattern grids.

A-line Skirt

These patterns will work with regular fabric; you don’t have to have a double Kanga to make them. The wrap skirt requires 3 1/8 yards of 45″-wide material, while the A-line skirt can be cut out of 2 yards of 45″-wide fabric. The illustrations show how to cut the pieces out using the unique design motif of the Kanga, but the layouts also work on regular fabric, although the wrap skirt is not recommended for a unidirectional fabric (with a print that all faces one way, for instance).

Thank you to everyone who has pestered me for years to bring out a couple of simple, wearable skirt patterns. You were right; these fill a niche! They are quick and easy to make up, and I already have three wrap skirts and two A-lines in my wardrobe that I wear constantly. Enjoy!

Here are photos that show how the wrap skirt works:

Line up center back of skirt with center back waist.

Wrap left side of skirt across front of body.

Wrap right side over front of body and tie in back.

Ta-da! A beautiful maxi skirt that's wrap, tie, and go!

Note for European and Australian customers: Some crocheting terms are different from the US. Thanks to customer Antonia L, who shared a great link to translate terms from American to British (also used in AUS): http://crochet.about.com/od/conversioncharts/a/termtranslate.htm

This Dollar Download includes two fun features. The first, entitled, “When Buying New Frocks” (ca. 1907-8) is jam-packed with advice for the Edwardian woman seeking to build an appropriate wardrobe on a reasonable budget:

To the average woman, getting a new gown is more or less of a serious matter. There are so many things to consider outside of one’s individual preference as to style and colour. With a limited amount of money to spend, it is imperative to avoid extremes in style, for the majority of women cannot have an expensive new gown with each change of the season….

Another short feature, “Fashions for Women of Varied Tastes” (ca. 1909) has also been included and has lots of fun advice for appropriate clothes for many occasions. Fun!

This charming photo spread features American mothers with their children from 1908. The pictures are really special — lots of smiles and warmth…and amazing outfits! My only regret is that the full spread won’t fit in landscape format on the scanner. Each page is 11×17″ by itself! So you lose some of the details in the fold at the center between pages. But there are so many pictures left to drool over that it more than compensates! Also included in this download are the full-color front cover and a lovely Kodak ad from the back cover.