Yoga pants and joggers are probably what the majority of us wear to workout in. But what about the skort; the unsung hero of athleisure! I bet the mere mention of a skort has most of us seeing flashbacks of running around the schoolyard. But, you can’t deny their versatility and functionality! Adults are catching on and the skort is finally having its moment in the world of athleisure. So why not sew your very own using our Arbor Skort free sewing pattern? We even included a pocket for your phone! I love the idea of turning this into a workout set with a matching top that can also double as swimwear. Hiking, swimming, jogging, walking, yoga, tennis, you name the activity and there’s an Arbor Skort that can be made for it!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2 yards of Santorini Plus Lavanda UV Protective Stretch Recycled Swimwear Tricot
- 1 spool of 930 Bright Lavender 250m Gutermann Sew All Thread
- 1 package of Heat & Bond Lite Soft Stretch Web Adhesive – 5/8″ x 10 yards
- MDF323 – The Arbor Skort Free Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are ⅜”, and hem allowances are ⅝”.
A few notes before you get started:
- Because this fabric has stretch, I used a walking foot attachment.
- For the hems, waistband attachment, and the pocket, I used Heat & Bond Soft Stretch Lite. I’d highly recommend using it, or another stabilizing tape if you’re sewing with a stretch fabric!
- This fabric doesn’t fray, so I used a single fold hem.
How to sew the shorts:
1. Place the front short piece to the back short piece. Notches aligned, sew the outer leg seam. Because this is a stretch fabric, I used a straight stretch stitch. I also topstitched for extra reinforcement. Repeat on the other leg.
2. Press the pocket edges down according to the guidelines on the pattern. I used the soft stretch adhesive here. Press the top down with more adhesive, and sew ⅝”.
3. Choose the side you want the pocket to go on. Align it with the pocket markings you transferred during the pattern cutting process. If you’re using adhesive, iron the pocket onto the shorts. Topstitch the edges of the pocket.
4. Sew up the inseam of each leg. Topstitch if desired.
5. Right sides together, align notches and put one leg into the other. Sew up the rise, and then topstitch.
6. Hem the shorts. Use the adhesive before sewing for a clean look, as pictured above.
How to sew the skirt:
1. Right sides together, sew up each side of the skirt. Topstitch and hem.
2. Place the right side of the shorts inside the skirt. Make sure the fronts are on the same side, and the side seams are aligned. Sew along the top edge to secure the two together before we put the waistband on.
How to sew the waistband:
1. Right sides together, sew the top edge of the front waistband. Repeat with the back waistband.
2. Unfold the front and back waistband pieces. Place them right sides together and sew each short end so that you now have a closed waistband.
Attaching the waistband to the skort:
1. Unfold and place the front waistband to the front of the skort, right sides together. Align edges and side seams, using the adhesive to secure it. Repeat on the back. Sew together.
2. Fold the waistband at its top seam. Topstitch the outer facing waistband, catching the inner band as pictured above.
42 comments
Thank You, having reached a certain maturity in age, shorts are not always appropriate but a skort is.
Oh, I sew agree! I make skorts for myself, & I love wearing them, in both FLA, & in PA where I split my year. They are so much more flattering than shorts, but much more casual than wearing a dress!
I am a pickleball player and this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Mood.
Thank you…will make a terrific golf skort that actually fits me! I will adapt to add side pockets to carry extra ball, golf tees, score card.
Can you please share adaptation that you’ve made? I’m a newbie golfer and the search for a decent skort has been a nightmare…
Wow thanks this is perfect for running after the grandkids
Can’t wait to try this pattern. Am curious – do you use a small zigzag stitch for hemming? Haven’t sewn with this type fabric in many, many years.
Hi Georgia! We used a straight stretch stitch for hemming this fabric. 😀
No, I use a narrow, rather small zigzag stitch for seams, & a twin needle (knit/stretch) for all hems & topstitching. Make sure you use polyester thread.
Thank you for this pattern. Going to adapt to make a bathing suit bottom.
Hello. Could you please share how you did that? As im also here to try and adapt for swimsuit, but im a total beginner. Any help would be awesome. Thank you!
Could this pattern be adapted to a stretch cotton?
Hi Sherry! A cotton jersey would work well. For this pattern, we used a fabric that had all-way stretch measuring 45-50%.
Yaaahhhh! There are already so many beautiful patterns and then also this one…awesome!
Ahhhhh this is so exciting!! I’ve been looking for a skort pattern for ages! I would love a version for non-stretchy fabrics, but I’m so excited to try this out!
Awwww, you really are the best. You´re work is highly appreciated!!!!!! Thank you, merci, danke and obrigadooo 🙂
Hi! Would it be possible to use a simple domestic sewing machine for this project, or do you need an over/interlock to sew this stretchy fabric? I’d love to make this skort, but I don’t have an interlock at home.
Hi Fruzsi, yes it’s totally possible! In fact, I used a domestic sewing machine for this project! As mentioned in the post, I highly recommend buying a walking foot attachment and some Soft Stretch fusible tape (or something similar). Good luck! 🙂
Thank you! I have a walking foot attachment, so I will definitely give this a go 🙂
Thank you! A skort in knit fabric ! Would be so in your debt if a non knit fabric pattern might happen in the future.
Thank you so much for this pattern! I’m a runner and skorts are my favorite bottoms for running in spring, summer, and fall. I’m looking forward to trying to make a pair.
Do you happen to know approximately how much yardage is needed for each part (e.g. the skirt and then the shorts)? I ask because when running I prefer compression fabric for the shorts so that they stay in place and don’t ride up. So, I was thinking of trying Mood’s 5.6 oz Silver Matte Tricot w/ High Compression for the shorts, but a regular swimwear tricot for the skirt. Thank you!
Hi GC! Glad you are loving this pattern. To err on the safe side, I would say 1-1.5 yards of each fabric is needed, depending on your size. 😀
Thanks so much!
Hi, can you please check if your waist band panels on the pattern are labeled correctly? I have made it twice, the first time it looked strange so I had to rip my overlocker attached band to flip it back to front, I am beginner but it looks not right to me. I will attach link to the website where there is my review with band photo.
Thanks,
Hello! we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: The curved waistband happens simply because the darts are joined together from the block. If you would like to change the amount of curve the waistband has, we recommend sewing a mock-up and adjusting accordingly.
Thank you for another wonderful pattern! Is there plans in the future to make this with non stretch fabrics? Would be awesome.
Hi Wendy, that’s been a popular request so we’ve added it to our list! Stay tuned 🙂
I am unable to download the pattern. When I click on the link, nothing happens. Help, please.
H Karen, if you’re still having difficulty downloading the pattern, simply email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send it directly to you. 🙂
Hi,
So glad to see that the “normal” figure is finally getting some attention and some wonderful patterns. When I try to print this by hitting the print icon in gold, it does not print. Okay, so I tried the PDF version and this is my error message:
Temporary files directory “/home/jetrails/moodfabrics.com/html/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-print-posts/cache/” is not writable.
Can you please direct me to the person who can help me?
Lastly, I too would love to see a version of this in a non-stretch fabric.
Thank you for taking care of us.
Regards,
Hi Victoria! We’re so sorry about that. If you’re still having trouble downloading the file, email info@moodfabrics.com and they’ll send the pattern directly to you! The skort in a woven fabric is a popular request! We are listening 🙂
I’ve been liking skorts lately because you can be comfy and not look like you’re in lounge wear. But my biggest issue as a thick thighed girl is everything thats sold online/ in stores, the shorts are sooo short. I’m so happy this pattern has longer shorts! I had to kind of grade the waist in on them because I’m rather curvy and have a small waist for the size I need for my hips and butt. This pattern worked great and the fact that there are pockets brings me so much joy
Hi Meghan! We’re so happy that you’re enjoying the pattern. 🙂
Wooh! First time using Lycra and boy was it a steep learning curve, but I finished the skort and am happy to have something I can walk my dog in the summer heat without flashing everyone when I pick up after him. Thank you for this pattern, I’m excited to try it again!
Could you make this in non stretch and add a zip in the side please , would the size stay true if made that way
Hi Barb, you could try using a non stretch fabric, but since this pattern was specifically drafted for a stretch fabric, it might take some trial and error. We urge you to make a muslin first, and use the finished garment measurements chart to choose your size.
This will be great for pickleball. Thank you.
Hi Mary, this would be perfect for pickleball! We actually used this pattern in our pickleball dress redux!
Hi Do you have the pattern in projector format please? I’m looking forward to making it but don’t have facility to print out the pattern. Thanks
Hi Clare, unfortunately in order to keep our patterns free we can only have them available in US letter and A4 format.
Does this work with a 2-way stretch fabric such as a merino?
A merino with 2-way stretch should work great as an alternative.