The skirt is high waisted, with a generous volume. The skirt features an easy-fit elasticated waistband. (Measurements shown are garment measurements)

The idea behind this design is actually a simple one - to assemble the patchwork in rows, and simply join the rows together, adding finishing and a simple elasticated waistband at the end. The type of seaming you choose for the project is up to you, and can be selected depending on your skill level, equipment available and desired finish.

The bow patchwork skirt pattern has been specially designed as one of our entry-level projects; suitable for a confident beginner sewist who wants to try one of our patchwork designs. This pattern has been specifically developed to make use of smaller remnants and offcuts of fabric which you might have left over from other sewing projects, or possibly from other unused textiles or clothes

The design will work best with medium to lightweight fabrics. Different textured fabrics can be especially effective to contrast the different patches and bring out the repeating bow design. The pattern is designed to be cut from 3 different fabrics to create the bow patchwork effect. (It can also be cut from 2 fabrics if you wish to combine ‘Fabric 2’ and ‘Fabric 3’ as outlined in the cutting instructions.)

For our version of the Short skirt (example pictured in white) we have used 3 different textures and weights from our old cutting-table offcuts - a monochromatic colour palette using cotton mousse, swiss dot cotton and a flower-embroidered cotton.

For our version of the Midi skirt (example pictured in black) we have used only 2 fabrics - combining ‘fabric 2’ and ‘fabric 3’ when cutting) We used black viscose and silk offcuts for this version.

Of course, you could also choose to cut the skirt all in one fabric or in many different fabrics, the options for you to customise the patchwork are infinite!

The pattern has been designed to be cut from remnants / offcuts, however if you wish to cut from regular lengths of fabric, the approximate fabric usage is listed below (based on 140cm width fabric).

This ROBERTS | WOOD KiT project is provided as 2 separate PDF pattern with sewing instructions. It includes 2 A4 printable PDF patterns, which can be printed and assembled at home using any standard home printer. An A0 format pattern for each version is also included should you wish to print it at a printers/print shop

Materials required: 3 different fabrics for patchwork, threads, 3cm elastic for the waistband.

Equipment required: Paper scissors, sellotape (if printing A4 pattern), Iron, fabric scissors, measuring tape, pins, sewing machine.

Confident beginner / intermediate and beyond

As with many ROBERTS | WOOD designs, this pattern is not a “traditional style” sewing pattern and is a bit different from the construction of other patterns you may have come across before. However, we have made the construction stages as simple and fun as possible, with full step by step instructions included, so don’t be put off if you haven’t made anything quite like this before!

This pattern is suitable for anyone from confident bigger level and upwards. It assumes knowledge of basic sewing techniques and terminology, but we think it will be a fun project for someone who has a few projects under their belt, and for anyone who wants to learn new textile and sewing skills. A perfect project to undertake using fabric offcuts that are otherwise going to waste. The pattern also includes a step-by-step instruction in pdf form to enable you to learn how to make this piece.

Whatever your skill level, we would recommend completing this project over several days as it is intended to be something you can take your time with and enjoy the making process, following our principals of ‘slow fashion’ and the joy of making. The patchwork itself is not complicated to make but requires a little time and patience to assemble - a little labour of love.

The two versions of the design have been provided as separate patterns for simplicity, should you only want to make one or the other. Note, however that the first three rows of the patchwork and the waistband are the same pattern pieces for both Short and Midi designs, except for the seam allowance on the bottom of row 3, which is larger on the Short version to allow for finishing the hem.

Tip: If you want to make both versions, you might want to print and assemble the Midi version only, and then simply change the seam allowance on row 3 to 2cm instead of 1cm when cutting the short version, to save having to print and assemble the other pattern.