How to Draft a Skirt Sloper

You can make a basic skirt pattern to your exact measurements, and then you can use it to create any design that you want! Let me show you just how easy it can be. Once you’ve got your basic skirt sloper, watch this older video that shows you 5 skills you need to design your own skirt: • 5 SKILLS YOU NEED to d...
MY FAVE SEWING TOOLS: My sewing machine - Babylock Sofia 2
My serger - an old Kenmore
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
My Wiss scissors - US: amzn.to/48fkFXl Canada: amzn.to/41PJsiZ
C-Thru Ruler - US: amzn.to/3tfqdSS Canada: amzn.to/3TwBAk8
6x24” Olfa Ruler - US: amzn.to/3GEwV8f Canada: amzn.to/486Mm4V
Hip curve - US: amzn.to/41BMkQp Canada: amzn.to/41GVx9V
Erasable Frixion Markers - US: amzn.to/3tfjVCS Canada: amzn.to/3RVq68K
Sharp Tracing Wheel - US: amzn.to/3tfPr3s Canada: amzn.to/41DLF0z
Loop Turner - US: amzn.to/3RH6HIw Canada: amzn.to/483Z30q
Tailor’s Ham - US: amzn.to/3RGEXDG Canada: amzn.to/485SPNN
My cordless iron - similar: US: amzn.to/48kprDb Canada: amzn.to/4aus5rJ
To support the growth of my channel, please don't forget to give a thumbs up, leave a comment, SUBSCRIBE and share! Thanks so much!!!
#diyfashion #upcycling #thrifting #denim maxi
Music: On The Rocks by Track Tribe from the KZbin Audio Library
EMAIL: [e-mail]
INSTAGRAM: @cathbhay
PINTEREST: / cathbhay
Thank you for watching and supporting the growth of my channel!
Until next time, take care!
~Catherine
Tags:
Sewing, sewing for beginners, how to sew, sewing projects, sewing hacks, sewing tutorial, sewing tips and tricks, sewing hacks, #sewing, beginner sewing projects, Catherine Sews, DIY, pattern drafting, skirt sloper, basic skirt block

[@bethprice9702]

This is hands down the best video I have seen on how to create, use, and adjust a sloper. Please also do pants and top.

[@Gonavy110000]

Yes! I was going to ask the same thing! Pants and top slipper videos, please!

[@theAukerlife]

This is truly the channel I've been looking for forever!

[@CatherineSews]

So sweet! I’m so happy you found me!

[@Silver_Threads_Sewing]

I am so excited to make a sloper. Thank you! ❤ I hope you might show some top/bodice and sleeve tutorials sometime. You are such a great teacher and I always learn from your videos. - Diann

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Diann! BTW, I enjoy watching your channel too! Thank you for the mentions and kind words you said in a couple of your videos 😍

[@elizabeth4053]

@@CatherineSewsyes please on the bodice sloper 🙏💕

[@bernieeyre6033]

I wish I would have had a teacher like you back in my school days. I wouldn't have found sewing so boring. I love your tutorials and remakes. I cannot wait to create my own pencil skirt sloper.

[@angelamajor4034]

I can’t believe how much I keep learning from you! I’m definitely going to try this for myself! I’ll be especially helpful to have this skill now that I’m older and my figure is not as it once was!!!😅 Thank you!

[@raniachloe6747]

there is a plenty of videos but this is trully the best one with clear instructions from scartch and also execution.. than kyou so much love love love

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

The best thing I did for my sewing journey was learning to pattern draft. Skirts really are the perfect place to start. You are such a good teacher.

[@CatherineSews]

I completely agree that skirts are the best place to start with pattern drafting. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@joannemcdevitt6654]

Thank you, Catherine. I enjoyed watching and learning! ❤🧵

[@Morganistas]

I have 4-year-old fabric that is waiting just for this occasion - of course, when you post your next video! =) Thanks again for your helpful little pinning tips and the easy math. If you choose to do any variations on a skirt using your sloper, like flares, flouncy borders, front buttons, pockets, etc., I'll be right here for it! With 5 daughters, we make a lot of skirts around here!

[@karenfreedman9180]

Wow! You are amazing! I can follow a pattern, but had no idea how to make one! Thank you

[@CatherineSews]

It’s not that hard, right!? 😍

[@mcremex827]

Another great video! I just discovered your videos while looking for a way to add a pocket to a pair of pants I like. I subscribed to your channel and have been binge watching!😁I’m late to the sewing world as I’m past 50 and just starting to get more serious about a long time hobbie. I find your videos so clear , detailed, and eye opening. I can’t wait to make some of my own clothes. Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher. Thank you for taking the time to teach all of us subscribers! ❤❤❤

[@sarahferrell5458]

Thank you! This really tripped my trigger! I have sewn since I was a kid, but I never learned how to make what I want-or how to make things fit. I’m so jealous of your students! I’m Gen X-never had home-ec -& only got what my mom was taught in the 40’s & 50’s, which was a lot, but I have wanted to learn more my whole life. I designed dresses in grade school-for fun-on the back of a book of handouts my dad got at a medical conference in the 70’s. Long gowns. Lol I need FBA. I’ve watched videos of how to do one to an existing pattern… but I’m getting old & tired, kinda! Lol and I’m afraid to cut into fabric & make a mistake because it’s expensive, even as a bargain seeker. I have collected some fabrics & could do muslins with… I’ve never been this scared of making mistakes before! Anyway. I’ve been refraining from dumping this info on you, but I just couldn’t help it. Help! I am interested in making a basic peasant top. Elastic neck/sleeves. But all the patterns have their own twist, & I want the classic, simple one, no variations. If you’re inclined to discuss that… well, it’d make my day.

[@rosac8168]

I feel where your coming from it’s almost same story with me but I keep practicing on goodwill clothing and sheets etc. I’ve gotton to the point where I’m actually altering alot of my clothing to where I’m quite happy with fit - it may take me a day or two or longer lol. My goal is making pants that fit because I’m very small in back pants these days are for the very enhanced back side lol. Zippers im afraid of also.

[@sharonjones6201]

Can you draft a basic ladies top, please. Nothing I buy fits on my shoulders and around my chest and it would be fabulous to have a basic pattern and make my own.

[@mrgarner4796]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I know we can all do this.

[@lupitamagana9931]

Thank u for coming back so fast more plz more plz 😂❤

[@heidishepherd4570]

Thank you very much for sharing with us how to do the pattern drafting with us. I will help me make skirts that are so much nicer than most bought skirts and cheaper also!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Wow that's a lot easier than I thought it would be! I always meant to make myself slopers but never did. I should!

[@IMOO1896]

I’m gonna need to watch this again and share it with myself. Some of the measures seam arbitrarily, but that’s made it very helpful to know these are probably “secrets” to making a skirt work. I did skirts last summer and just made rectangles with elastic at the waist, neither were wearable except for around home. As usual, you’ve give me information that valuable. Many thanks

[@helenablignaut662]

Perfect timing! I don't necessarily want to make a bias cut skirt, but I've wanted a denim pencil skirt forever. Now I have no excuses.

[@lindaconover4328]

Being a pear shape, this will help me immensely thank you!

[@judih.8754]

Goodness you presented this so simply. I'm going to try it!

[@makeitjoyful]

I love your videos 🤩 Thank you so much

[@belieftransformation]

Wow, great teaching techniques; thanks for sharing! Your instructions are so clear. 🤗

[@rosac8168]

That seemed easy enough - going to try it! can you make a pants one? I know those are really hard for a lot of us I feel if I can draft a pair of pants then I can do anything haha. Thank you ! you are such a good 👩‍🏫🙏🏾❤

[@maryphibbs8404]

thank you so much for this. It is the first sloper tutorial I actually understand. I am inspired to make one tommorow.

[@rowinamediastini7839]

Thank you, Catherine 🙏❣️

[@dollmm23]

With your clear explanation and excellent teaching methods, I'm feeling confident that I will be able to make my skirt slope. I'm anxious to start this. Thanks a lot. Greetings from🌞 Florida. 💕🌴

[@lucywyatt434]

Very good instructions 😊and great explanations of darts and measurements….great job!❤

[@jdcogar180]

Thank you so much for this video. I am definitely going to make a sloper for me. Especially since now I can see how easy it was to accomplish. Love all the videos you make.

[@bohorustica8545]

Thanks so much, you have the most wonderful easy going style in your teaching that takes what most others tend to make more complex and presents it in its simplest form. ' Simplicity is the ultimate Sophistication ' Looking forward to your next video, I had a lightweight wool midi length skirt many years ago that was cut on the bias. One of my most treasured and loved skirts I wore til threadbare. Would love to be able to make one myself. Have a wonder filled week. :))

[@CatherineSews]

That skirt sounds perfect! I’m going fabric shopping today for my bias cut skirt, and you’ve inspired me!

[@bohorustica8545]

@@CatherineSews That's wonderful, I remember it so well, Lightweight wool, black , kind of knubby texture, but soft . The skirt was a slight A line, loved how it moved when I twirled . :)) It had no pockets, a good I think. Happy shopping/hunting. :))

[@shortgirl65]

Love this tutorial. As someone with a "non-standard" waist-to-hip ratio, (lol) I've been wanting to try making a skirt sloper. It just seems so much better than buying a pattern and trying to reverse engineer it to fit properly.

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, that’s exactly right. When you have your own sloper, it’s much easier to achieve the look you want!

[@karens1967]

Thank you. You're the best!

[@leannsews]

Love this! It's so important. When I took pattern making classes at a college night course, the teacher gave us all size 10 slopers to work with and never taught us how to do our own. It was too bad. I'd love to see you teach how to make bodice slopers and how much ease there should be in it. I've done a few over the years and although they work 'kind of' okay, I know it could be better. No pressure 😉

[@TheGardenKitten]

thank you for this, I plan on trying this. 💖

[@danniefrenchpea63]

I love how you explain all the maths and the way you calculate and alter the pattern. Such a great tutorial ❤ Do you think you might be doing one for pants too? Thank you so much for sharing 🙏

[@elaineshigemoto4373]

What a terrific tutorial to custom fit and saving money on patterns! Would you (if you haven't already) be willing in a video to explore and explain what fabrics can and cannot be laundered? I find that many garments specify "Dry Clean" when in fact I've laundered on gentle cold cycle with no issues. Is there a general guideline, other than what the garment tag instructs? Viscose, nylon, rayon, linen, etc ? Thank You!( P.S. I used your video tutorial to alter my son's suit trousers, which turned out fantastic!)

[@altaroberts5105]

My mom alway used newspaper sheets for pattern.

[@KSMP]

I'm so jealous of your students!! I want to be in your class 😭😭

[@abaigealduda2756]

Hi, this is a great video and very accessible to follow along as you do it. One question - if someone doesn't have the pointy tracing wheel tool, how might they figure out the right line for the darts?

[@samjones9465]

In previous videos Catherine has used a pin to replicate the tracing wheel. Mind you the wheels aren't expensive so maybe you could invest in 1, didn't know I needed it until I bought one lol

[@abaigealduda2756]

Thank you!!@@samjones9465

[@abaigealduda2756]

Thanks! I think I have one that came with a kit some time ago, but I was curious just in case... I appreciate that you took the time to respond!!@@samjones9465

[@vickyerhind]

You make it look so easy 👍

[@lorrainealletson630]

Brilliant. I am 5ft petite. I started sewing age 12 as in 1966 petite patterns size 4 were not available. Neither were teenage clothes in my size. I have learned so much from your videos. Your explanations are so straightforward. Have you done videos on bodice slopes and trouser slopers?

[@rosac8168]

Math 😩I guess that’s why I never finished a project will have to watch this like ten times slowly Iv seen so many videos I started and end at the length and that’s it !

[@maryjanegibson7743]

I use kitchen parchment paper for my pattern drafting. It's study enough that it makes a reasonably durable pattern (certainly moare so than commercially produced patterns), thin enough that you can put it over things that need to be traced and it's inexpensive.

[@Marianne_C_O_Art]

Brilliant!

[@eileenfb1948]

Excellent, thank you ❤

[@themamachar]

Thank you are so smart.

[@Ali626AMM]

Could anyone advise me? Since this video was also about skirts I thought it might be worth it to ask now. I've been wanting to make a pleated skirt similar to one I used to have for so long. If I sew it as a straight panel and then add a waistband (the closure is just a few buttons and it overlapping by 6-8") I can't figure out how to fit it . I made one that I thought was coming out great, took me a month and a lot of burned fingers to get it done, but when I tried it on it looked so bad I threw it out. I was so heartbroken! I would like the kind that is sewn down for the first 3 inches or so for each pleat. I'm short and have a tummy. I don't know if I need to slightly angle the pleats? Catherine, or anyone, could I have some advice please? I loved the original skirt so much and would do anything to replicate it, I just can't figure out how. Also, Catherine, I love that you show how to upsize as well as downsize clothes. So many channels only make things smaller, but that just isn't an option if you're a plus size person. I really enjoy your videos and the way you walk through the steps. Thank you. 🤗

[@daxxydog5777]

As usual, you make it simple and easy for anyone to follow! I know you said you were going to be doing an A line skirt next, but I hope you’ll be exploring other design tweaks from this sloper as well. Great video!

[@jenburns9902]

First I really enjoy the videos; I am a 61 year old who can’t remember (memory fog) a lot of the details I need when sewing. I recently purchased a jumpsuit online and it is really nice, it looks good, fits great until I lift an arm. The underarm and end of sleeves tighten up uncomfortably and there is no give at all in the material. I cannot find the video about fixing this issue and can’t figure it out by myself. The material is a good quality polyester (oxymoron I know 😂). But it is nice like a rayon. Can you help me? Thank you

[@Maplecook]

Wooooot!

[@janettechapple1782]

Brilliant tutorial. Very understandable. Question. Why does the back need to be lower than the front? I always need to add to the back and subtract from the front when making trousers to allow for my slanted waistline.

[@inthekitchen8842]

Great vid! Thank you ❤

[@thebradelonge5758]

Thanks! ❤

[@helenmoyes5700]

Thanks!

[@Liguorienne]

Hi I really like your explanation I guess with that block you have made i could draft a kilt ‘s or a pleated skirt and remove the darts as you show in another video ? I have a little curvy back and a small tummy, for me I need to take of they accès in the back and put some on the side and in the center front. Could you explain this shape if you have the time please. Hope I make sense I’m French ❤

[@larryharmon8731]

❤

[@susanharber6488]

Love your skills. Do you teach classes in person?

[@shellylemons]

She teaches Home Ec I think in a school system.

[@michelleskotynsky9426]

Lucky students!! I'm so jelly (jealous)!!

[@christinereeves353]

I’d like to know how you would use slopers to see if a commercial pattern is going to fit me. Is this how you can use them instead of as a basis to draft new designs?

[@valeriehaggerty4860]

Love the video. Very informative especially for someone like me who has never done pattern drafting. I have a question about your scissors though. I went to the link & it says regular or American. I can’t figure out the difference and what I should choose. Have any advice? What are yours?

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you! For the links in my description, I give links to Amazon.ca (Canada) and Amazon.com (US). If you’re in the US, the US link will work better for you and the same scissors will be cheaper.

[@valeriehaggerty4860]

@@CatherineSews I clicked the us one but it still gave me two choices. lol. Thank you for responding so quickly on an older video. You’re my favorite KZbinr.

[@laquitaine0198]

Thanks for all your fabulous videos. Where can I find "hard paper" sheets in sizes large enough for pants and other slopers? I live in Vancouver and have tried Dressew and art supply stores to no avail. Thanks, Catherine.

[@CatherineSews]

I’m also in the Vancouver area! I think Cansew is the best place but it comes in a huge roll! Maybe just poster board would work?

[@laquitaine0198]

@@CatherineSews thanks for the quick reply. I’ll look them up.

[@rebecca0799]

Is the waist to hip measured along the curve of the body or straight down between the two points? Thanks for the vid!

[@CatherineSews]

It’s measured along the side seam, so the curve of the body.

[@rebecca0799]

@@CatherineSews thank you!

[@rozataeed7591]

سلام مناز بلوز شما خوشم آمده الگو آن را ندارد ممنون

[@stellfashion1268]

Do all skirts need darts?

[@CatherineSews]

No, if it's a stretch knit or flared or has princess seams or a yoke, then you don't need darts. A straight pencil skirt in a woven fabric definitely needs darts.

[@stellfashion1268]

@@CatherineSews 😊 great! Thank you so much for your response 🥰

[@doudou53d44]

That was an interesting video ! I learned that I have to try more and not always trust the pattern. Thank you 👍😎🐕‍🦺🐈‍⬛

[@carolcarter865]

❤