Hello! Today I’m very excited to share a hack for the Summer Sweatsuit pattern and a FREE pattern add-on. I released this pattern 5 years ago and it’s still one of my most worn garments for the summer season. I’ve shared a few hacks for this pattern over the years but this may be my favorite. This hack takes the shorts and adds a skirt on top. When I was younger, skorts were really popular and I really enjoyed wearing them. (I also wish I had kept a few of them!) This hack looks like an athletic skirt with a subtle A-line shape but has a hidden pair of shorts underneath.
Today’s post includes a video tutorial, text instructions and illustrations for how to sew the skirt. Plus, when you sign up for the newsletter, you get free access to the Sew DIY Resource Library and this pattern add-on. Click here to sign up. I would like to add a disclaimer that the pattern add-on has not gone through the rigorous testing that I do for my patterns that are for sale. I drafted a skirt pattern piece for all sizes of the pattern and have personally tested one size. This is just a fun freebie! That said, if you find any errors, please let me know.
If you’re not familiar, the Summer Sweatsuit consists of a racerback tank with a curved hem and mid-rise short shorts. The Summer tank top has a full coverage racerback style with a medium-scoop neck and curved hem. It's designed to be fitted at the bust and skim over the waist and hips in a swing style.
The Summer shorts feature an elastic waistband and a high cut curved leg opening. There are no side seams in the shorts, making them extra comfortable on sensitive skin. If the shorts are too revealing for you, this skirt hack is a great adaptation. The pattern piece makes a skirt that is 16” long but you can make it longer or shorter by cutting along the Lengthen/Shorten line. (Check out this tutorial for how to adjust the length of a skirt.)
This knit skort is very comfortable to wear and very sporty in feeling. I think it would be great for playing tennis or pickleball or just as an alternative to wearing shorts. The skirt is designed to be about 17” (43cm) long and the pattern includes a lengthen/shorten line so that you can adjust it to your preferred length.
For this sample, I used an athletic fabric that I got at a fabric swap. This fabric has 75% stretch. The pattern calls for at least 35% stretch for the shorts pattern. But I think if you have extra stretch (like 60-75%) you might want to go down a size. If you need help calculating your fabric’s stretch percentage, check out the blog post linked below.
HOW TO MEASURE FABRIC STRETCH PERCENTAGE
How to sew the Summer Skort
If you want to sew your own Summer Skort, first go grab yourself a copy of the pattern if you haven’t already. Then, come back here and download the skirt pattern for free by signing up for our newsletter below. (If you’re already signed up, find your most recent email for the link and password to the Sew DIY Resource Library.)
All of our pattern add-ons and downloadable resources are available in the Sew DIY Resource Library. When you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll receive the password and link to the resource library. Sign up is below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Just scroll down to the “Pattern Add-ons” section to find the pattern.
Above is a step-by-step video for how to sew this hack. (If you the video isn’t working, you can also watch on YouTube.) In the video, I use a coverstitch machine to sew the hems. It’s easier to sew a coverstitch hem before sewing seams in the round so the order of construction is slightly different than usual. But, I also let you know how to adapt for not using the cover stitch.
If you prefer illustrations, photos and text, read on!
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 0: Download the pattern add-on. The pdf is designed to be printed at home on Letter or A4 size paper. It is six pages and includes layered sizes. Not all pages are needed for all sizes. For help printing your pattern, please see this blog post.
STEP 1: Cut two skirt pieces. Assemble shorts and waistband through Step 4 of the Summer Sweatsuit instruction booklet.
STEP 2: With right sides together and notches matched, stitch SKIRT side seams.
STEP 3: With both the shorts and the skirt RIGHT side out, slide the shorts inside of the skirt. The right side of the shorts will be against the wrong side of the skirt. Align the center front and back. Align side seams of skirt with notches in shorts. Pin and baste.
STEP 4: Proceed with Step 5 in the instruction booklet to attach the waistband and insert the elastic. At the waistband seam, stitch through all layers of the skirt, shorts and waistband.
I hope that you love this skort hack. If you need additional help sewing the Summer Sweatsuit, make sure to check out the sewalong for lots of helpful blog posts, step-by-step videos and general tips for sewing with knits and using a serger. Happy sewing!
Pin the image below to Pinterest to save this tutorial for later.
