Reed Skirt Sew-Along

Sew the Reed Skirt with confidence using our detailed tutorial series! This modern nod to 70's style offers multiple pocket and closure options. We'll guide you through each step from selecting fabrics to mastering the fly front zipper, plus share pattern variations to customize your perfect skirt. Four different views mean endless styling possibilities.

Lesson 1

Ready-To-Wear Inspiration

Reed Skirt inspiration collage showing 70s-style skirts in corduroy, denim, floral prints, and suede with button front closures

Welcome to the Reed Skirt Sew-Along! We start with ready-to-wear inspiration that captures the 70's vibe we were going for. This post explores fabric ideas and styling possibilities from corduroy and suede to wool suiting and leather that will spark your creativity.

Get Inspired

Lesson 2

Selecting Your Fabrics

Main Fabrics

The Reed Skirt works beautifully in both light and medium-weight woven fabrics. We recommend choosing fabrics with some structure to achieve the intended A-line silhouette, though lighter weights will give you more drape for a softer look.

Six fabric swatches for Reed Skirt: gray dot print, olive twill, navy stripe, rust linen, cream floral rayon, burgundy corduroy

Lightweight Fabrics

Perfect for warmer weather and creating a skirt with beautiful drape, especially lovely in the longer Reed versions. Look for fabrics like rayons, Tencel, silk, lightweight cottons, linen, or blends. These fabrics will give you a softer, more fluid silhouette.

Medium Weight Fabrics

Medium-weight fabrics are a natural choice for the Reed Skirt and ideal for structured looks. Think bottom-weight fabrics like twills, denim, corduroy, or other mid-weight wovens. These can be cotton, linen, poly, wool, or blends. Depending on weight, your skirt will either have slight drape or retain its shape beautifully.

Interfacing

You'll need interfacing for your Reed Skirt regardless of fabric choice. We'll be interfacing the waistband, and if you're making a button front version, you'll also need interfacing for the button bands. Choose interfacing that matches your fabric weight, and always use fusible interfacing intended for garments rather than bonded interfacing.

Choose Your Fabrics

Lesson 3

Reed Supply List

The first step to a successful project is making sure you have everything you'll need from start to finish right at hand. This post covers all the essential tools & supplies — from topstitching needles and thread to pressing equipment — plus links to our favorites!

Reed Skirt sewing supplies laid out: pattern envelope, fabric swatches, thread, marking pen, pins, scissors, and tape measure

1. Reed Pattern

The first thing you'll need is the Reed Pattern. You can purchase it as a paper pattern or downloadable PDF here.

2. Main Fabric

You'll need fabric yardage based on your size and chosen view - check the pattern envelope or PDF for specific requirements. If you haven't selected your fabric yet, refer to our fabric selection post for detailed guidance on light-weight versus medium-weight options and how they'll affect your finished skirt.

3. Fusible Interfacing

You’ll want either a woven or tricot fusible interfacing in approximately the same weight as the fabric you’re using. Avoid bonded interfacings as they lack the drape necessary to produce a professional looking garment you’ll want to wear.

4. All-Purpose Thread

You'll need an all purpose thread for the construction of this jacket. I prefer to use standard poly thread for my garments. I like poly because I pre-treat my fabrics and I know that poly won’t shrink when laundered, keeping my seams nice and neat. You'll need one spool that matches the shell of your jacket and one for the lining if you're using a different color.

Gather Your Supplies

Lesson 4

Choose Your Size

Dress form showing waist and hip measurement points beside Reed Skirt size chart with body and finished garment measurements

Learn how to select the perfect size for your Reed Skirt using just two key measurements. We cover how to take accurate waist and hip measurements, navigate the size chart, and handle falling between sizes for the best possible fit in this semi-fitted skirt design.

Find Your Size

Grab the Reed Skirt Pattern

Lesson 5

Common Pattern Adjustments

Three Reed Skirt pattern pieces showing blending between sizes 10 and 12, with arrows indicating adjustment directions

Need to customize your Reed Skirt pattern? This post covers blending between sizes and lengthening or shortening techniques. We show you two different approaches for length adjustments and explain when to use each method.

Perfect Your Fit

Lesson 6

Cutting your Fabric

Reed Skirt View A pattern pieces layout: center front, side front, pocket bag, side back, and back pieces numbered 1 through 6

Ready to cut your Reed Skirt? This post breaks down the cutting requirements for each of the four views with detailed illustrations showing exactly which pieces you need. We cover important cutting notes specific to each view, plus helpful tips for efficient fabric layout and marking.

Start Cutting

Lesson 7

Assembling the A & B Fronts

Reed Skirt View A construction progress: scissors and bias binding strips beside two skirt fronts with princess seams sewn

Time to start sewing! Learn to assemble the fronts for Views A & B with step-by-step guidance on pocket bags, inset pockets, and sewing princess seams with topstitching.

Start Sewing

Lesson 8

Assembling the C & D Fronts

Two skirt fronts in gray geometric print with princess seams and topstitching, plus unattached patch pocket on right

This post covers assembling the fronts for Views C & D! This is more straightforward than the A & B fronts thanks to the patch pockets. Learn to sew the princess seams, construct patch pockets with clean corners, and attach them securely.

Create Your Pockets

Lesson 9

Views B & D Hem Extensions

Mustard floral print skirt front with hem extension attached shown flat on left, and on dress form on right showing extended midi length

This post is for everyone making the longer versions of the Reed Skirt. We cover attaching the lower portion of the skirts to create the beautiful extended length. Learn to sew the seam, press it open, and finish with topstitching for a polished look.

Add Your Extensions

Lesson 10

Center Front, Back and Side Seams

Gray geometric print skirt in progress on left showing topstitched seams, completed pink dot print skirt on right hanging on hanger

Time to sew up the main seams! This post covers the center back and side seams for Views A & B, plus the side and center front seams for Views C & D. Learn to press seams open and topstitch for clean, finished seams.

Sew Your Seams

Lesson 11

Views A & B Button and Waist Bands

Two curved waistband pieces shown wrong side up with charcoal fusible interfacing and pink dot seam allowances, scissors above

Time to add the button bands and waistband for Views A & B! This post covers attaching the front button bands with clean edgestitching, then constructing and attaching the contoured waistband. We show both hand-stitching and machine options for finishing the waistband.

Add Button Bands & Waistband

Lesson 12

Views C & D Zipper & Waistband

Two views of invisible zipper installation in gray geometric print fabric showing different stages of the construction process

Time to insert the invisible zipper and attach the waistband for Views C & D! This comprehensive post covers assembling the waistband, installing the invisible zipper with proper alignment, finishing the center back seam, and hand-stitching the waistband for a clean finish.

Install Your Zipper

Lesson 13

Hemming and Finishing

Pink dot print fabric with button template on left, completed button-front skirt on dress form center, gray geometric skirt on righ

The final day! This post covers finishing all four Reed views with buttons and buttonholes for Views A & B, hook and eye closure for Views C & D, and hemming techniques that work for all versions. Your Reed Skirt is almost complete!

Finish Your Reed

Extras

  • Orange twill fabric showing alternate button placket method with center front marking and folded edge construction

    Button Plackets for Bulky Fabrics

    Need a cleaner finish for thick fabrics? This alternate button placket method is ideal for wool, twill, or denim when the standard turn-and-stitch method creates too much bulk. Learn to hem first, then attach plackets for a smooth, flat finish.

    Learn the Technique 
  • Lined Reed Skirt on hanger showing black outer fabric with brown twill lining visible at waistband and hem edges

    Adding a Lining

    Want to add a lining to your Reed Skirt? This tutorial shows how to line Views C & D (the zippered versions) using rayon Bemberg lining. Learn to construct the lining, attach waistbands, work around the invisible zipper, and hand-stitch for a professional finish.

    Line Your Reed 
  • Reed Skirt in mustard yellow wool on hanger showing modified patch pockets with gathered ruffle trim detail

    Ruffled Patch Pockets

    Ready to get creative with your Reed Skirt? This tutorial shows how to modify the basic patch pocket pattern to create ruffled patch pockets. Learn to adjust the pattern shape, create gathered fabric strips, and attach them for a playful, custom look.

    Customize Your Pockets 
  • Woman wearing Reed Skirt View B in green jacquard print showing lengthened version without visible hem band seam in snow

    Eliminating the Hem Band

    Want the longer length of Views B & D but without the sewn-on hem band? This tutorial shows two methods to eliminate the seam line between skirt panels and hem band. Perfect for thick fabrics like jacquard where you want to avoid pattern matching headaches.

    Skip the Hem Band 
  • Hand using seam ripper to remove stitched buttonhole on orange twill fabric before cutting open, shown in video tutorial

    Easy Buttonhole Removal

    Mistakes can happen when creating buttonholes in thick, multi-layered fabric. This video tutorial shows the easy way to remove buttonholes without damaging your fabric - but only works BEFORE you cut the buttonhole open! Essential troubleshooting for when machines skip stitches or quit mid-buttonhole.

    Fix Buttonhole Mistakes 
Button label