amy butler patchwork skirt

A short while ago I posted about a challenge I’m taking to sew a capsule wardrobe for summer. Planning my wardrobe was so much fun, but now it’s time to head to my sewing room. I’ve decided to start with an Amy Butler patchwork skirt that I’ve been wanting to make forever. And as I rummaged through my fabric stash, I discovered I had ample remnants of Amy Butler fabric on hand. She’s one of my favorite textile designers, and her vibrant colors and bold designs are perfect for this garment. I paired them with two remnants from another favorite designer, Joel Dewberry.

supplies needed:

• cotton fabric (here are a few sources for Amy Butler fabric: Quilt Home, Twisted Threads Fabric)
• sewing machine
• skirt pattern 

(This post may contain affiliate links; as an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclosure here.)

step 1 – piecing fabric

Before making the skirt, you need to make the patchwork fabric itself. It sounds so easy, piecing fabric scraps together, but there are some rules to follow. First, begin with equally sized squares. I used 4 different complimentary prints, cutting 10″ x 10″ squares from each. Secondly, keep all your seam allowances consistent. If you use 1/2″ seams, be sure to make all the seams 1/2″ as you stitch the blocks together.

It is helpful to arrange the fabric pieces together before stitching them, so that you can create a pleasing overall design. Next, start with stitching the blocks together in the first row. Place the first two pieces together, with right sides facing; stitch on one side. Add the third piece in this same fashion, then the fourth piece.

As you finish each row, press the seams open.

Once all rows are completed, place the first two rows together, with right sides facing, and stitch together along one long edge. (You do not need to press seams open for these long rows.) Continue adding the rest of the rows. When finished, press these long horizontal seams downward.

Now turn the fabric over to the top side and top-stitch just beneath the horizontal seams to keep them in place and prevent too much fraying.

*Note: if you own a serger, it is best to serge all the seams rather than pressing them open or downward. This prevents fraying.

Use 4 rows of 4 blocks each to create a finished panel of patchwork fabric that is approximately 36″ x 36″, as shown below. Then create a second matching panel. They look so cute, you probably want to start quilting now, right? But first make the skirt. You’re gonna love it!

step 2 – prewash fabric

If you’re wondering why I’m inserting this step now, it’s because I’m way too impatient to remember to prewash my fabric first! So anxious to  see how the patchwork design would turn out, I completely forgot this step! So I’m tossing the two patchwork panels along with an extra fabric remnant for the skirt facings into the machine. Right now! And I’m walking to the laundry room with my head bowed in shame.

step 3 – sewing the skirt

Now that the fabric is washed and dried, I’m finally ready to begin making the skirt. I chose a simple skirt pattern, McCalls 8068. I cut the skirt front and back from the patchwork pieces folded on a bias, as shown below.

I cut the facings from a separate fabric remnant.

Once the pieces were cut, I followed pattern instructions. However, I did add topstitching to the back and side seams. Then I  hemmed the skirt with a machine stitch. The patchwork panels took a bit of time, but the rest of the project was easy. I have to admit, this Amy Butler patchwork skirt turned out even prettier than I expected. 

The biggest compliment is a little share – pin the photo below!