How to make a culotte skirt (kids)
It looks like a skirt and moves like shorts, so there is nothing to worry about on the climbing frame. Front and back use the same pattern piece — cut four, sew three seams, add elastic. A nursery and primary-school favourite.
1. Materials & tools
Materials (size 120 cm)
- Main fabric (cotton, linen or denim) — about 110 cm wide × 70 cm (44 × 28 in)
- Flat elastic (2 cm / ¾ in wide) — the child's waist measurement
Tools
- Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
- Fabric marker or pencil
- Ruler and scissors
- Iron
- Pins or clips
2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)
With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.
- Open the tool
Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Culotte skirt (kids)” from the tabs at the top. - Enter the size
Enter hip, rise, inseam and hem flare. Presets cover 90–130 cm. - Set the seam allowance
Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in). - Print
Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.
3. Cutting the fabric
- Trace the pattern
Trace the cut line and seam line. - Cut
Cut two fronts and two backs from the same pattern, four pieces in total. - Finish the edges
Zigzag or serge the seam allowances.
4. Sewing
4-1. Sew the crotch seams
- Sew the two fronts together along the center front curve, then the two backs.
4-2. Sides and inseams
- Sew both side seams, then the inseam in one run from hem to hem, reinforcing the crotch junction.
4-3. Waist and hem
- Fold the waist edge over twice, stitch leaving a gap, thread the elastic, stitch the ends and close.
- Hem the legs with a double fold.
✏️ The hem is wider than the leg above it, so the outer edge is longer when you turn it up. Ease it in a little at a time as you fold, or bind the edge with bias tape instead.
5. Tips & variations
- Everyday nursery wear: no restrictions on climbing or sitting, which is why nurseries like them.
- Add pockets: side pockets are always welcome.
- Length changes everything: short reads as culottes, long reads as gaucho pants.
Generate the pattern for free in Katagami and print it at actual size. Change the size and try again in seconds.
Open the pattern tool →