Brookes Sewalong: How to Sew a Denim Skirt with Classic Details

The Brookes Denim Skirt Sewalong is a step-by-step video series designed to guide you through sewing the Brookes, from choosing your size to finishing the final details.

In this sewalong, Erica walks you through each stage of the process in short, focused lessons. You can move through the videos at your own pace, pause as needed, or skip ahead if you’re already comfortable with certain steps.

Brookes is a midi-length button-front denim skirt with a classic straight cut. Sitting at the natural waist, it features five belt loops, scoop pockets, and a center front placket with a facing. Designed for stretch denim, the split front hem and mid-calf length offer comfort and mobility, while the back yoke and jean-style pockets add that classic denim charm.

To follow along, you’ll need the Brookes Pattern. Seamwork members can download it as part of their membership, and non-members can purchase it individually in the shop.

Getting Started

In this first lesson, Erica will introduce you to our sewalongs and give you some helpful tips. And in the next lesson, she’ll show you how to pick a size and prep your pattern and fabric.

Here's what we'll cover:

Fabric recommendations: Look for medium-weight or heavyweight stretch woven fabrics with 10% stretch, such as denim, twill, or corduroy.
Fabric qualities to look for: The Brookes skirt is designed for stretch fabrics, so make sure your fabric has spandex or Lycra added.

Seamwork members, take advantage of your member deals this month! You can save up to 20% off your order here.

Prepare to Sew

This lesson covers all the basic things you need to know to get started with this sewalong. If you’re a beginner, this will be really helpful to watch!

If you feel like you already know how to get your pattern and fabric ready for sewing, go ahead and skip to the next lesson and you'll learn to do some helpful fitting adjustments.

You're going to learn how to:

Select a pattern and reference its skill level

Select a size

Prepare patterns and fabric

Cut and mark fabric

Fitting Adjustments

Grade Between Sizes

Because Brookes features a fitted silhouette, you might need to grade between sizes.

And here are some additional fitting resources if you need them:

Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern

If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.

We created a free downloadable PDF called the Four Height Zones to help you gather the information you need to make adjustments to your pattern where you need it. We recommend printing it out and writing your height measurements on it to keep in your sewing journal.

Compare these measurements to the corresponding landmarks on your pattern pieces, and you'll know how much you need to shorten or lengthen that part of the pattern.

Sewing Instructions

The PDF instructions will be your main guide as you work through this pattern, but we've created this video to walk you through the trickiest steps in detail. If you need help on a step not shown in this video, check out the Community Group Sew, where other Seamworkers and staff are ready to help out!

The trickiest steps for this pattern are: