When I think ‘couture,” I can’t help but imagine sleek lines and full skirts, delicate lace and luscious silks. Today’s looks incorporates all of my favorite things, with a touch of lace transformed into our free Lyonia Shirt pattern, and a smooth duchesse satin as our brand new Cunilla Skirt free sewing pattern. This skirt can transform easily from cocktail length to tea-length to an elegant floor-length option. Try a luxe brocade or an on trend moire for your version and be sure to tag #MadeWithMood on Instagram!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 8 yards Navy Double Faced Duchesse Satin (4-5 yards for the shorter version)
- 158 Navy 9″ Invisible Zipper
- MDF183 – The Cunilla Skirt Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
First, begin constructing the yoke of your skirt. The Side Front panels attach to either side of the center front panels, with the curved portions facing outward like you see below. The back portion of the skirt is created the same way.
Sew two of your skirt panels together along the shorter edge. Press the seam open to create your Center Front seam. Faces together, sew each of the curved portions of your skirt along the curved portions of your yoke. Clip the seam allowances along the curve, like you see in the lower left image, and then top-stitch the seam allowance toward the yoke.
Attach a skirt panel to each of your Back Yoke pieces the same way and then insert your invisible zipper at the Center Back seam. Finish the remainder of your Center Back seam below the zipper and then press open.
Sew the front and back of your skirt together at the side seams and then sew your yoke facing along the top waistline of your skirt, faces together. Fold the facing toward the inside of your skirt, press, and then tuck your raw edges inward. Slip-stitch the remainder of your facing to your yoke to complete your skirt!
48 comments
Where can I find the blouse pattern?
Hi Chelsea, The Lyonia Shirt can be found here!
That is gorgeous! How is it hemmed? The hem looks so perfect, like a scuba fabric that was cut and unhemmed.
Hi Doris! The duchesse I used is double-faced, so it doesn’t fray and I left it unhemmed. 🙂
How many yards do you need for the shorter skirt?
Hi Stephanie! You’d need 4 yards for the shorter version. 🙂
Awesome
Would this work with scuba fabric or anything with stretch?
Yes, it would! Scuba would look amazing. You may want to size down though, to accommodate for the stretch.
Would you still have to put a zip in for scuba?
Hi, Susan! If there’s enough stretch in the scuba to get it over your hips, you can likely skip the zipper! 🙂
Can this be made with flowy material? Like gauzy and such?
Hi Tracy – I haven’t tried it with anything lighter than this satin here, but I think it could work! I would just recommend interfacing the yoke portion or lining that part with a weightier fabric.
Would it be crazy (or possible) to make this from jersey and attach it to a halter top from the same material to make a dress? I’m set on having a maxi length skirt and I want it to have a little more definition/detail than just a circle skirt.
Hi Haley, I think it could be done with a jersey, but you may want to size down and maybe interface the yoke pieces for a bit more stability.
Would this work for a shirting cotton fabric?
Hi Deen! You can certainly make this pattern out of a shirting cotton, but it will not have as much volume as the original. A cotton sateen or a similar fabric with a more voluminous drape will produce the shape seen in the photo. 😀
is the reason you need so many yards because it’s two thick? ( I dont’t know how to phrase it) And if so, would it still look good if I didn’t do that? I’m kind of on a budget but i really want to make the skirt. And 8 meters of a satin fabric is expensive. Any tips, maybe?
Hi Naomi! The reason you need so many yards is because this skirt is incredibly fully. Unfortunately, there’s no real way to achieve that same fullness with less fabric.
ok I think i’m getting it. Hope i’m getting it. I had only one piece for the back instead of 2. Man this is alot of skirt. An amazing skirt
Is the skirt full enough to fit an a-line petticoat underneath?
Yes, certainly! This skirt is double the fullness of a full circle skirt. 🙂
Which line is for the smallest guide? I’m used to patterns where the line will say the size. How do I follow this pattern?
Hi Waverly! There’s a size/line guide on each pattern piece to let you know which line coincides with each size.
Are the measurements listed finished garment measurements, or body measurements?
Hi there! 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: Our older patterns unfortunately don’t have finished garment measurements. But use our size chart to find your size, and then take a few quick measurements of the pattern to determine your desired ease. 🙂
dose the skirt pattern includes the seam allowance ?
Yes, a 1/2″ seam allowance is already included! 🙂
Can this made using Ankara fabric?
Yes, that would look gorgeous!!
Hi, Courtney!!
I’m planning on making this skirt for an upcoming event, and I wanted to know if it would be possible to add side seam pockets within the yoke? Thank you!
Hi, Taylor! I think it’d be a bit tricky within the yoke itself since it’s so fitted and also lined – but I think it’d be pretty easy to add some pockets within the side seams of the skirt just below it!
If using a fabric like brocade, what fabric would you recommend as a lining to avoid having the rough fabric directly on the skin? Thanks
Hi Claire, most lining fabrics would work well for this! 🙂
thank you!!
Hi can you maybe explain me better how is sewn into the yoke? If I understand well, the skiet is just circle skirt
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Do you think if would be possible to make this skirt in charmeuse (with an underlining for stability)? Or would that sacrifice too much fullness?
Hi Morgan, 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: we have made this skirt using a stretch satin and it wasn’t as full.
Hi ya, what type of pattern do you use for the skirt, just a normal circle skirt?
Hi King, 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. The pattern for this skirt is linked above for download!
Skick grainline are you supposed to follow for each skirt?
Hi Lisa 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 grainline is the same for both skirts, the mark for the short version of the skirt is indicated on the pattern!
WHAT SEAM IS USED TO HEM THE BOTTOM OF THE SKIRT?
Hi Aida, the fabric used for this project was double faced and didn’t fray, so it was left unhemmed. If your fabric does need to be hemmed, here’s a quick tutorial on sewing a curved hem.
Hi Aida, would it be possible to reduce the fabric requirements by using a full circle, rather than two full circle skirts? I know this would also reduce the fullness (and so the look) of the skirt. But I am considering making it in a drapey silk crepe (for a wedding skirt) so will be a different look anyway.
Hi Kim, 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: yes you could reduce the fabric by using a full circle skirt! As always, we recommend making a muslin first to get the desired fit and look before sewing with your fashion fabric.
I’m seeing a version of this that uses recycled jeans as the yoke in my near future!