How to Choose the Best Fabric for Skirts

With so many fabrics to choose from, it's difficult to determine what exactly you'll want to use for your next skirt. There are several elements to consider when choosing skirt fabric.

The material and how flexible or stiff it is to work with and for your finished piece is a big one. Certain fabrics are also more difficult to sew for certain people, so you'll also want to keep in mind your skill level and experience with fabrics.

You also want to consider the common skirt materials you'll need including the best fabric for skirt linings. We will discuss this in most sections, too.

In this guide, we'll focus on the following fabrics:

1. Cotton and cotton blends
2. Satin
3. Silk and silk broadcloth
4. Crepe de chine
5. Rayon
6. Wool jersey
7.  Linen
8. Tweed
9. Chiffon
10. Taffeta
11. Knit
12. ...and more!
     

As with most skirts, cotton is a great choice for circle skirts. If you make a full circle skirt as you'd see in the 1950s, satin works really well, even though it's a difficult material to work with if you're just beginning to sew.

The DIY skirt below is an easy cotton circle skirt you'll enjoy making and wearing! Take a look at The Ultimate Circle Skirt Tutorial.

For more circle skirt patterns, check out:

1. Rainbow Panels Circle Skirt
    
2. Zooey Circle Skirt Tutorial
    
3. Trendy DIY Circle Skirt
    

Any kind of fabric that has some stretch is good for this kind of DIY skirt. A cotton blend fabric works well, and then for the lining, you can use a lightweight cotton or silk fabric.

The DIY skirt below is the Unstoppable Pencil Skirt.

For more pencil skirt patterns, check out:

1. Tartan Midi DIY Pencil Skirt
    
2. How to Make a Buffalo Plaid Pencil Skirt
    
3. Number One Pencil Skirt
    

You need a fabric that moves and drapes well for the A-line skirt. These kinds of fabrics include silk broadcloth, crepe de chine, rayon, cotton knits, or wool jersey. This is the most flattering shape for most women’s body types and figures.

The DIY skirt pictured below is the Fun and Flirty Fall Skirt. 

For more A-line skirt patterns, check out:

1. Anthropologie Ruffled Skirt Tutorial
    
2. Simple Gathered Skirt with Denim Band
    
3. Scrappy Floral Skirt
    

The bubble skirt is a skirt that's folded under on the hem to form a bubble-like shape. You can use linen, light tweed, and brushed cotton for this type of DIY skirt. You'll want a fabric that can be easily gathered.

The DIY skirt pictured below is the Bubble Skirt Sewing Pattern.

For more bubble skirt patterns, check out:

1. Sunny Day Girl's Skirt
    
2. Cheap Bubble Skirt Pattern
    
3. Bubble Skirt Sewing Tutorial
    

Maxi skirt fabric should be comfortable and lightweight since that's the appeal of this skirt style. These long DIY skirts allow for a lot of versatility when it comes to fabric.

For a flowing and elegant look, choose chiffon or taffeta with a lining underneath because these fabrics are usually sheer. A more comfortable and casual DIY maxi skirt can be made out of cotton or jersey fabrics. 

The DIY skirt pictured below is the 1 Hour Maxi Dress Tutorial.

For more maxi skirt patterns, check out:

1. Tiered Maxi Skirt Pattern
    
2. Jil Sander DIY Maxi Skirt
    
3. 15 Minute Maxi Skirt
    

As the great fashion statement of the 80s and 90s, this DIY skirt requires a small amount of fabric, but you'll want it to be stretchy. Knit is a good fabric to choose for a mini skirt, but denim and cotton will also work well as long as they have some stretch. 

The DIY skirt pictured below is the Micro Mini Simple Skirt Pattern.

For more mini skirt patterns, check out:

1. Suede Shirttail Mini Skirt
    
2. Chalk Lines Mini Skirt
    
3. Sequined Mini Skirt
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