Although we offer a lot of beginner-level patterns here at Sussex Seamstress, as well as video tutorials, we didn’t really have a tutorial for people who are very early on in their sewing journey.

One of our popular beginner patterns is the Midhurst A-Line Skirt. It’s a great choice, as it’s a classic design, has a small number of pattern pieces and is relatively easy to sew. But we’re the first to admit that the pattern instructions don’t assume you are an absolute beginner, and let’s face it there’s an invisible zip, which can be scary for a beginner to tackle.

So, to help our beginners on their journey we’re happy to present the new video tutorial for the Midhurst A-Line Skirt. It takes you through all the stages of construction from aligning your pattern with the fabric grain, cutting out, applying interfacing, and all the construction steps including that invisible zip.

Even if you end up choosing a different beginner’s pattern (like the ever popular Amberley Dress), we hope that the basic information contained in this tutorial will be useful whatever you choose to make.

A link to the tutorial is provided below, or scroll down for a summary of what it covers.

If the video inspires you to give it a go, you can purchase the pattern here and sew along:

Paper Pattern: Midhurst Skirt Paper Pattern

PDF Download: Midhurst Skirt PDF

If you’d like to get an idea of what is entailed before jumping into the video, here’s a brief overview of what the tutorial covers, with links to the individual construction steps.

Cutting Out

First we take you through the basics of aligning your pattern with the grain, pinning and cutting out. You can find out more about why fabric grain is important in this blog post.

Video link: Cutting Out

Interfacing

Next, we talk about how to apply interfacing to get the best results. Sticky side down, everyone!

Video link: Interfacing

Inner Yoke

Then it’s on to the first step of construction - the inner yoke. One quick seam, then we’ll set it aside for later. Always remember to press your seams after sewing them. We’re using simple plain seams for this skirt.

Video Link: Inner Yoke

Back AND FRONT Skirt

Now it’s getting exciting, we’ll attach yokes to the back and front of the skirt. There’s a knack to pinning these and evenly distributing the ease. We’ll show you how to do it.

Video Links: Back Skirt , Front Skirt

SIDE SEAMS

Then it’s on to the side seams. We need to leave space for the zip on one side. We’ll press the side seams open, then finish them with either a zigzag stitch or an over-locker, if you’re lucky enough to have one of those.

Video Link: Side Seams

Inserting the Invisible Zip

This is the trickiest part - the invisible zip. But don’t worry, we’ll take you through every step of the process. It’s a bit fiddly but we’ll show you a method that makes it a bit easier.

Video Link: Invisible Zip

Lining The Yoke

Almost there! Lining the yoke and a bit of seam allowance clipping is the next step. Just be careful not to clip through your stitching!

Video Link: Lining The Yoke

Slip Stitching

Then it’s time for a bit of hand sewing with some lovely neat slip stitching. This really gives the skirt a nice finish.

Video Link: Slip Stitching

The Hem

And finally the skirt hem. You can finish the hem however you like. A simple method is to zigzag or overlock the edge, then turn once and stitch.

Video Link: Hem

YOU’ve Made an A-Line Skirt!

You’ve done it! Enjoy!

Sussex Seamstress is an independent pattern maker, based in Sussex, UK.

While you’re here, why not take a look at my range of sewing patterns for women?