Fantail Skirt: Historical + Modern

This a digital PDF download.  See 'About Your PDF' below for more details.

US$18

Sizes 30-56 (Hips 34"-60")

Difficulty: Intermediate  

The Fantail skirt is a classic 5-gored, A-line skirt that comes in a full length historical version (accurate to 1890-1910) with a fan of loose pleating falling from the waistband at center back, or a knee-length modern version, with a fan of sewn pleats  that release at the bottom of the hip. The historical version fastens with a buttoned or hooked & domed/snapped center back placket, the modern fastens with an invisible zip. Both skirts feature a waistband that sits at the natural waist and fastens with buttons or hooks.

The historical skirt is designed to be the perfect foundation for a whole range of late Victorian and Edwardian looks, from the skirt portion a formal 2-part gown, in lush silk, to the bottom half of a tailored suit in crisp wools.

The modern skirt goes from casual, in light denims and chambrays, to dressy, in luxe prints and satins, with the fan of back pleats keeping it fun and interesting in any fabric.

The historical skirt instructions include three pages of Notes on Historical Accuracy, with tips on fabric choice, construction techniques and interior finishes, to help you achieve a more period-accurate reproduction.

Buy just the Historical Fantail skirt pattern here.

Buy just the Modern Fantail skirt pattern here. 

Recommended Fabrics:

The modern version works well in light-midweight fabric with moderate draping qualities, such as: craft cottons; chambrays, linens, midweight viscose (rayons), silk noil, and lighter wools. The longer historical version works well in all the fabrics given for the modern version, as well as heavier wools and silk taffetas.  

Leimomi is wearing the Modern Fantail in Size 38 in floral print quilting cotton, with a Miramar top in mauve merino knit.

Stella is wearing the Historical Fantail in Size 36 in lilac 100% wool twill.

Danielle is wearing the Modern Fantail in Size 54 in red brushed Tencel, with pockets from the free 'How to add pockets to the Modern Fantail Skirt' hack.  Her Fantail is worn with a Henrietta Maria blouse in jacquard woven rayon (viscose).  

Jenni is wearing the Modern Fantail in Size 38 in midweight black cotton denim.  Her Fantail is worn with a Henrietta Maria blouse in viscose (rayon) crepe.

About your PDF:

This pattern is a digital download. Once you complete your purchase you’ll be sent an email with a link to download a zip file containing your printable files. You’ll need to open it on a computer: the zip file will not open on phones and tablets.

The Fantail Skirt Historical + Modern zip contains the following files:

• Full Historical Instructions: 10 pages
• Full Modern Instructions: 9 pages
• Streamlined Historical Instructions: 5 pages
• Streamlined Modern Instructions: 5 pages
• Print-At-Home Historical + Modern Pattern: 45 pages
• Print-At-Home Modern Pattern: 28 pages
• Copyshop Pattern: 3 A0 pages
• Printing Instructions: 3 pages

Sizing Chart

Paper Patterns:

A paper version of the Fantail Skirt pattern is available through Virgil's Fine Goods in the USA.

Tutorials and Pattern Hacks:

• How to add pockets to the Modern Fantail Skirt
• How to add a petersham waistband to the Modern Fantail Skirt

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