How to Sew a Mini Skirt with Oversized Belts
Jump to InstructionsOverview
Learn how to sew a mini skirt with crossed oversized front belts using this easy-to-follow sewing pattern. Designed with clean panel lines, bold belt details, and a polished finish, this skirt is perfect for Y2K statement looks and performance wear. Beginner friendly and highly customizable, it’s ideal for creating a sharp, fashion-forward mini skirt with professional construction techniques.
Fabric Yardage
The fabric chart below shows the suggested yardage for each the skirt. All yardage estimates assume a fabric width of 54 to 58 inches.
| Size | Skirt Only | Belts Only | Skirt and Belts |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 1y | 1y | 1y |
| S | 1y | 1y | 1.25y |
| M | 1y | 1y | 1.5y |
| L | 1y | 1y | 1.5y |
| XL | 1y | 1y | 1.5y |
| 2XL | 1y | 1y | 1.5y |
Fabric & Notions
Fabric
Suitable for light to medium weight non-stretch fabrics such as denim, satin, cotton, rayon, or velvet.
Notions
- Separating zipper for the center front (30 cm / 12 in)
- Eyelets and grommet setting tool
- Two snaps to secure the belts in place
- Optional fusible interfacing for the belts
Sizing Details
This pattern is drafted in our exclusive drag queen sizes from XS to 2XL, created to fit padded bodies with broader shoulders, arms, and legs. While this pattern is made with drag performers in mind, it can be worn by any gender who matches the size measurements provided below.
| Size | Mens Chest | Drag Chest (Padded) | Mens Waist | Drag Waist (Corseted) | Mens Hip | Drag Hip (Padded) | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 33-35 | 36-38 | 27.5-29.5 | 24.5-26.5 | 32.5-34.5 | 38-40 | 70 |
| S | 35-37 | 38-40 | 29.5-31.5 | 26.5-28.5 | 34.5-36.5 | 40-42 | 70 |
| M | 39-41 | 42-44 | 33.5-35.5 | 30.5-32.5 | 38.5-40.5 | 44-46 | 70 |
| L | 43-45 | 46-48 | 37.5-39.5 | 34.5-36.5 | 42-44 | 47.5-49.5 | 70 |
| XL | 47-49 | 50-52 | 42.5-44.5 | 39.5-41.5 | 45-47 | 50.5-52.5 | 70 |
| 2XL | 51-53 | 55-57 | 47.5-49.5 | 44.5-46.5 | 48-50 | 54.5-56.5 | 70 |
Sewing Instructions
Color Guide
Fabric Pieces
This is a non-stretch mini skirt designed with oversized belts at the front. A lining is not required for this garment, but one may be added if desired.
After assembling your paper pattern pieces, use them to cut out your fabric. Once all pieces are cut, you should have the following components: four belt pieces cut as two mirrored sets, two mirrored center front pieces, two mirrored side front pieces, two mirrored side back pieces, two mirrored center back pieces, two mirrored front facings, and one back facing cut on the fold.
Sewing the Belts
Depending on your chosen fabric, you may wish to add interfacing to the belts for extra structure. To do this, fuse interfacing to the wrong side of one belt layer for each belt before assembling them.
Take two belt pieces and place them right sides together. Sew along the top curved edge and the bottom edges, leaving the angled side edge unsewn. Once sewn, turn the belt right side out and press the seams flat, then topstitch or edge stitch along the sewn edges for a clean finish. Repeat for the opposite belt.
Sewing the Skirt
Take the center front and side front pieces and place them right sides together. Sew along the edge marked with two notches using a straight stitch and a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Once sewn, serge the raw edges to finish.
Press the seam allowance toward the side seam, then topstitch to secure it in place.
Repeat this method for the opposite front pieces and the back peices.
Once the back pieces are assembled, stack the two back pieces right sides together and sew along the center back seam in the same manner. Serge the raw edges, press the seam, and topstitch to finish.
Attaching Belts
To connect the front and back of the skirt, the belts must be attached between the pieces first.
Place the front and back pieces right sides together, then insert the belt ends between them, positioning each belt starting 1/2 inch down from the top edge. Pin or clip all layers in place, then sew the side seam through all layers, enclosing the belt edge. Serge the seam, press it toward the back, and topstitch to secure. Then repeat for opposite belt.
Attaching Facings
Take the front facing and back facing pieces and place them right sides together. Sew the side seams and press the seam allowances open. Then serge the raw curved bottom edge of the entire facing, as this edge will remain visible on the inside of the garment.
Stack the facing and skirt with right sides facing each other and sew along the top edge. Turn the facing upward, press the seam allowance toward the facing, and understitch to secure it in place.
Installing the Zipper
Serge the center front edges
Add the zipper with right sides facing the right side of one center front edge, starting just below the facing. Sew the zipper in place.
Fold the facing toward over the zipper and the skirt with right sides together and sew the facing edge to the zipper tape. Repeat on the opposite side.
Turn the facing down inside the skirt. Press and topstitch along the top edge and the zipper.
Finishings
Hem the bottom edges of the skirt folding over twice at a half inch each.
Install the eyelets or rivets on the belts.
Install snaps on the belts and sides of the skirt to keep the belts in place. You can also use velcro, your instal large belt loops to this area.
Get the Pattern
