I have rounded up 26 styles of skirts to cover every letter in the alphabet and I tried to find a complimentary pattern for each. You’ll find that each skirt type has an example photo and a matching or similar pattern next to it. There are a few exceptions. Each photo has it’s source linked directly at the bottom of each picture. I hope it serves as a great project reference for you!
Just for extra fun, I will be assigning each skirt a favorite chick-flick movie, hobby, favorite food, and favorite color/fabric combo.
Now let’s learn our skirt ABC’s!
A: A-line
Favorite Movie: The Age of Adaline
Hobby: volunteering at the library
Favorite Food: San Francisco sourdough bread
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Olive Green Tweed
B: Box Pleat
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
Hobby: bird watching
Favorite Food: ice cream
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Blue Floral Cotton
NOTE: I have made this skirt three times and I love it.
C: Circle
Favorite Movie: Last Christmas
Hobby: ice skating
Favorite Food: hot chocolate
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Berry Wool Crepe
D: Draped
Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada
Hobby: making fashion mood boards
Favorite Food: coffee & cheese cubes
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Cerulean Silk Faille
E: Elastic Waist
Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Hobby: traveling
Favorite Food: Greek salad
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Golden Linen
F: Flounce
Favorite Movie: Shall We Dance?
Hobby: ballroom dancing
Favorite Food: Spanish paella
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Orange Crepe Back Satin
G: Gathered
Favorite Movie: Because I Said So
Hobby: matchmaker
Favorite Food: cake
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Navy Polka Dot Cotton
H: Handkerchief
Favorite Movie: Freaky Friday
Hobby: playing guitar
Favorite Food: Chinese takeout
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Bold Print Crepe
NOTE: This skirt is a more refined take on the handkerchief skirt. The more corners at the hem, the more woodland fairy style it gets.
I: Insert
Favorite Movie: Miss Congeniality
Hobby: self-defense training
Favorite Food: pizza
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Fuchsia Ponte with Pleated Chiffon Insert
J: Jean
Favorite Movie: A Lot Like Love
Hobby: photography
Favorite Food: pancakes
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Blue Denim
K: Knit
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman
Hobby: shopping
Favorite Food: escargot
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Navy/White Striped French Terry
NOTE: “You clean up real nice. Sure don’t fit in down on the boulevard lookin’ like you do, not that you ever did.” -Kit
L: Layered
Favorite Movie: 13 Going on 30
Hobby: throwing parties
Favorite Food: Razzles
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Multicolor Striped Taffetta
M: Maxi
Favorite Movie: 50 First Dates
Hobby: painting
Favorite Food: pineapple
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Color-blocking OR Blue Floral Poplin
N: Neoprene
Favorite Movie: Mean Girls
Hobby: memorizing music video dance routines
Favorite Food: protein bars
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Coral Scuba Knit
O: Organza
Favorite Movie: Bridesmaids
Hobby: wedding planning
Favorite Food: Jordan almonds
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Pastel Watercolor Organza
P: Pencil
Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde
Hobby: using legal jargon in everyday life
Favorite Food: chocolate
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Bubblegum Wool, Duh.
Q: Quilted (Old Meets New)
Favorite Movie: The Proposal
Hobby: quilting
Favorite Food: Alaskan salmon
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Blue Quilted Polyester (check if pre-quilted fabric is double-sided or open filler on one side)
NOTE: Quilted skirts are genius. They’re a wearable blanket for cold winter days.
R: Running
Favorite Movie: Failure to Launch
Hobby: biking, running, golfing, paintball…
Favorite Food: sushi
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Bright Spandex
S: Silk Slip
Favorite Movie: How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Hobby: card games
Favorite Food: burger
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Buttercup Silk Charmeuse
T: Tulle
Favorite Movie: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
Hobby: designing clothes
Favorite Food: gummy bears, jelly beans, and candy corns
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Black and Pink Tulle, Madonna Style.
U: “Ugly” Christmas
Favorite Movie: 12 Dates of Christmas
Hobby: baking for friends
Favorite Food: cherry chip loaf
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Christmas Print Cotton
NOTE: There is nothing ugly about Christmas. May your Christmas tree be as full as your skirt.
V: Velvet
Favorite Movie: 10 Things I Hate About You
Hobby: reading and going to concerts
Favorite Food: Thai
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Slate Blue Velvet
W: Wrap
Favorite Movie: You’ve Got Mail
Hobby: quoting The Godfather
Favorite Food: caviar garnish
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Light Blue Challis
X: eXtra
Favorite Movie: Moulin Rogue
Hobby: singing and collecting diamonds
Favorite Food: French
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Red Shantung
NOTE: Extra attitude, extra fabric, extra everything.
Y: Yoke Waist
Favorite Movie: Crazy Rich Asians
Hobby: playing mahjong and winning
Favorite Food: dumplings
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: Orchid Chiffon
Z: Zippered
Favorite Movie: The Holiday
Hobby: socializing with neighbors
Favorite Food: charcuterie
Favorite Color/Fabric Combo: White Wool Double Crepe
NOTE: You must be careful with exposed zippers. An exposed zipper can cheapen the look of a garment very easily. I like that this skirt has zippers in the seams as a decorative feature.
That’s the ABC’s of skirts!
I know this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are so many more styles of skirts, but I think it is a well-rounded collection. This list inspires me and I know I’ll return to it as a guide when I want to sew a skirt. Which skirts are your favorites?
Go get creative and make something you love!
-Paige
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