I wanted a long, easy stretch knit skirt in a loud fabric. What I did not want was to choose a standard size, cross my fingers at the waist and hip, then make adjustments after I had already cut into leopard.

So I made a custom sewing pattern first. I entered my measurements into ALTR HOUSE, opened the Stretch Knit Skirt Base, chose the maxi length, and generated a digital sewing pattern drafted around me. Then I got to make the fun decision: leopard stretch knit.

That order matters. Fabric should be the creative choice, not the thing you settle for after trying to make a standard pattern fit.

The finished custom maxi skirt, drafted from my waist and hip measurements and sewn in leopard stretch knit.

Why I started with a custom sewing pattern

Maxi skirts look simple, but the things that make one feel good to wear are personal. Where the waistband sits. How it follows your waist and hips. Where the hem lands on your body. With stretch knit, the fabric has movement, but that does not mean you should have to guess at the starting fit.

Traditional sewing patterns start with a size chart. A custom sewing pattern starts with the measurements you enter. For this skirt, that meant I could choose a maxi length knowing the pattern was already drafted around my body, not a standard size.

How I made my custom stretch knit maxi skirt

The whole process started in the live pattern generator. I did not need drafting experience or a stack of pattern pieces in different sizes. I entered my measurements once, chose the base and length, and generated the pattern I wanted to sew.

The result is a custom skirt pattern built for the way I wanted this garment to sit and move. The generator handles the pattern work, which leaves more room for the part I love: deciding what I want to make next.

What fabric should you use for a stretch knit maxi skirt?

For this make, I chose leopard stretch knit because I wanted the skirt to be the whole outfit. ALTR HOUSE stretch knit patterns are designed for fabrics with stretch, such as jersey, ponte, rib knit, and similar stretch knits. The fabric you choose will change the mood of the skirt, but the made-to-measure pattern gives you a more personal starting point for the fit.

Want something understated? Try a solid jersey maxi. Want the same silhouette with a little more structure? Reach for a ponte. Want the skirt to be the first thing anyone notices? This leopard print did the job for me.

A custom maxi skirt can be your starting point

One of my favorite things about the ALTR HOUSE Design Studio is that I do not have to start over every time I want to try another idea. My measurements are saved, so I can return to the skirt base and make another version with a new length or fabric in mind.

This one is leopard and maxi. The next one might be a black midi in rib knit. That is the point. A custom sewing pattern is not just a single project. It is a better starting point for the wardrobe you want to make.

Questions about custom stretch knit skirt patterns