Well, I have to start getting new clothes for my junior year in high school, but while my peers are shopping at waif-girls stores, I can't find anything pretty in plus sizes. (Except for Lane Bryant)

But I am sick of buying shitty clothes. Can anyone help me with tips on making skirts? Or with reading patterns?

I also want to make a patchwork skirt, made with squares of different color fabircs. Has anyone else done this before? Thanks a lot everyone.

thrift stores and vintage stores are great for this, because a lot of beautiful skirts sold there are either wraparound or one size fits most. if you want to make a skirt, definitely go for the wraparound variety, as they are easy to make and need little adjustment if your size changes. simply sew the patches together for the length you desire (before any final plans, i suggest taking a piece of cloth and determining the proper dimensions for the skirt, so you don't make it too tight or short). be sure to leave lots of extra width for the rest to wrap around. then sew a matching strip of cloth along the top, a lot longer than the width of the skirt itself. the finished project should look like an oversized apron. then simply sew any extra pockets or appliques as you so desire.

pencil skirts start off as a tube of fabric wrapped around the widest part of your hips. sew a slow curve on each side for the curve of your hipsand put in a button, safety pin, or zipper. hem. full skirts can be made of a number of trapezoids of fabric. the shorter edge will make your waist, the longer the leg. its really just a matter of messing around till you find something that works. start off with an old sheet so you dont ruin nice fabric on a mistake.
I have been toying with the idea of a patchwork skirt myself. i think the trick would be to get your seams straight, even, and nicely pressed.
ooh. i just remembered the coolest skirt i have. Its a one size fits all from some anonymous store and is a wonderful magenta satin. its a really wide tube of fabric that runs ankle length. there is a drawstring at the waist, but you keep the fabric smooth in front when tying the drawstring so the back is really bunched and forms this cool little bustle. very neat, and ive never seen it anywhere else. hope this helps i know its none too clear.
lydia

I can try to help. can you sew? If not, you can learn really fast. On the second day of me learning, I made a pillow case skirt. It was so easy, I could even make a drawstring. I didn't have to go out and buy anything either. All I needed was a pillowcase, and a ribbon *or anything you'd like to use insted* for the drawstring. There's easy instructions on this site. You can buy some fabric, sew it together, and then add a drawstring,or elastic, then poof, you're done. Email me if you'd like