Wraparound a-line skirt

1. Make your pattern pieces. To do this, lay out a sheet of newspaper – you should be able to cut one front and one back panel out of each sheet of newsprint (if you can’t, tape two sheets together to accommodate). Place your skirt flat on top of the newspaper sheet (with the front facing upwards) and draw around it.

2. Gently arc the bottom and top edges downwards to get a close fit on the waistline and a neat hem. Add 1.5cm to the edges and 5cm to the bottom for hem and seam allowances. Turn your skirt over, place it down on the paper again and repeat, so that you have drawn two pattern pieces.

3. When you are happy with the shape of your templates, use a ruler to check that the sides are the same length, and cut out. Fold the pattern pieces in half to check for symmetry. Hold them up to yourself (or pin them to your clothing) to check the fit, length and style.

4. Cut three lining pieces. Lay your lining fabric out, folded in half with right sides facing outwards. You need to cut three pieces – to do this, pin one of your templates to the fabric next to the selvedge and cut, then fold the second in half and pin along the fold, to create a third piece.

5. Prepare the interfacing. Adding this will reinforce the waistline area and add shape to the garment. Lay your interfacing out and place one of your pattern pieces on top. Trace along the waistline edge, then measure 15cm down from the top of the template on each side and mark. Join the two marks (following the curve of the waistline) and cut out. Repeat twice more to create three identical pieces.

6. Iron the interfacing onto the lining pieces, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Cut three main fabric pieces. To do this, lay your fabric out, folded in half with right sides facing outwards. You need to cut three pieces – to do this, pin one of your templates to the fabric near to the selvedge, then fold the second in half and pin along the fold (as with your lining) to create the