Description
The Mānuka Skirt takes its inspiration from the flowering Mānuka Tree around coastal New Zealand. It’s sweet, dainty white or pink flowers attract bees and produce our pure healing mānuka honey. New Zealanders love Mānuka, it’s a staple of our way of life down here.
We know this Below the Kōwhai pattern will be a wardrobe favourite for your little one (and you!).
The faux button band, gathers and pockets all make this skirt a versatile and adaptable classic that you can make your own.
You’ll love the well-fitting and relaxed style of this skirt, and with an elastic back waistband it’s also comfortable on little pukus (tummies).
Featuring inseam or waistband pockets, and an optional faux button band (that’s right, no button holes (just the cred for them! –genius!)) our full photograph and video tutorials will walk you step by step through the process to start sewing garments for the little lady in your life.
Create your Mānuka Skirt with a light-medium weight cotton for summer, or a heavier fabric like corduroy for winter (imagine it with boots and tights – yes please!)
The Mānuka Skirt pattern and its finishing touches will have you creating a garment that boasts handmade of such a high quality! Regardless of your sewing skills (beginner or advanced), you will up-skill and learn some new techniques along the way.
Features:
- Instant PDF digital pattern
- Children’s sizes 1-10 (now available in a bundle with the Women’s Mānuka Skirt)
- Gathered skirt
- Inseam pockets
- Waistband pockets
- Faux button band
- Flat front and elastic back
- Fully lined waist band
- Enclosed waist band seams
- Exclusive video tutorial
- PDF includes: A4/Letter (to print at home) and A0 copy shop version
- Full tutorial, photos and support to help you create this skirt
Sewing Level:
Beginners will love the comprehensive instructions and easy to follow pattern. The more advanced will delight in the clean professional lines of the design and the well-fitting pattern.
You’ll love the look of buttons without the work. The instructions for the pockets are detailed in each step along with photos to guide you through the process. If pockets make you nervous, give them a go and enjoy your finished results!
Whatever your stage of sewing, I know you will love the versatility of The Mānuka Skirt in your arsenal of patterns.
Fabric Suggestions:
Choose light to medium weight fabrics that can be easily pressed, this will ensure a nice enclosed waist band.
For summer think: Cottons, voile, rayon, linen and linen blends, chambray and light denims etc
For winter think: Upholstery weight cottons, corduroy, velvet, etc
Fit and Ease of Garment:
The Women’s Mānuka Skirt has been created to wear at the waist, with the hem landing at the knee. The flat front sits nicely over the waist, and the elastic back keeps it taught and comfortable.
When you are choosing what size to create, measure around the waist (the narrowest part of the torso). Use the waist measurement to determine what size to create.
This pattern has been made using Standard American measurements and might seem different to what you usually buy in stores. Therefore, use the size the chart says you are to fit the waist, and if required, lengthen or shorten the skirt as needed.
Fabric and Fit Chart:
Additional Notions Required:
- Interfacing for front waistband
- Thread
- Scissors
- Non-roll elastic 25mm width (length supplied in chart)
- Safety Pin or bodkin (for threading elastic)
- 4 x buttons if required (approximately 20mm wide)
What You Get When You Purchase:
PDF Pattern
Digital file emailed and stored in your Below the Kōwhai account for future use. Includes files for pattern to print at home, A0 copy shop pattern and instructions.
These downloads will also be available in the “My Account + Downloads” section of this website when you are logged in. This is where the most updated version of your purchases will be and you can access it any time. In the future I may revise this pattern and slightly alter it. If you’re sewing in the future, check back for the latest version.
You can choose to print the Children’s Mānuka Skirt pattern at home, at a copy shop, or use the pattern tracing dimension within the tutorial to transfer the measurements onto your fabric (Children’s version only). The digital pattern is 12 pages long in black and white, and can be printed on A4 or US Letter paper on your home computer and then assembled for use.
You will receive a comprehensive tutorial with instructions, photos and tips to guide you in your sewing of this garment, along with access to an exclusive video tutorial. Please view this tutorial on your device or computer to save the trees, or if you must print, print in colour.
What’s a PDF?
A digital document viewable in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can save, view and print these documents on your computer or device an unlimited amount of times.
Returns and Support
Because this is a digital product and can be saved to your computer, returns are not available unless at some fault of my own. So, please choose carefully and make sure you are purchasing the correct pattern!
In lieu of returns I offer comprehensive online support to those who are sewing! You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram and email, and you can expect a prompt reply! I will endeavour to help you in any way I can.
Get Sewing!
So, what are you waiting for? Create your own beautiful Mānuka Skirt with this pattern and show off your creations!
This sewing pattern is by Sophie Laughton-Mutu. Sewists and children around the world have tested this pattern. Please leave a review, or pop over to our Facebook page to show us a photo of your Mānuka Skirt!
vinceandjess1 (verified owner) –
There’s definitely skirt patterns and skirt patterns but this one is going to be my staple from now one! I love the flat front and elastic back and the two pocket options are great. I’ve made four already and will be making lots more. Very easy sew and good instructions, sews up nice and quickly too.
breanna.mcalinden (verified owner) –
This is a very comprehensive, easy to follow, skirt pattern with multiple options for pocket details, meaning I will be using it over and over again! Very happy with how professional my Below the Kōwhai projects always look at the end of the sew.
June Vann –
I’ve been sewing for a v-e-r-y long time and consider myself to be a fairly experienced sewer. Over the years I’ve encountered some good patterns and lots of not-so-good ones. Just made my first children’s Manuka for my grand-daughter and THIS is a brilliant little pattern! It comes together so quickly, easily and simply – even for a beginner, the clever construction and the oh-so-clear tutorial make it a piece of cake. I’ve love, love, loved sewing this and already have a second one on the go for my other grand-daughter. They’re going to be wearing lots of Manuka designs for the next few years, that’s for sure. I’m thrilled with the end result!
chan_141 –
I think this is the perfect skirt pattern and I don’t think I’ll ever bother to make a different one. I love the different pocket options. and the faux button band. I have made two skirts so far and can’t wait to make more. Clear, detailed, easy to follow instructions.
anshark (verified owner) –
Love the Manuka!! I’ve made 2. The sizing is perfect and the look is so classic! Very easy to whip one up in a day (provided you get a good nap from your toddler) 😉
kylie.rick –
The Mānuka is my most favourite skirt pattern ever, I’ve already made many! I love the different pocket options, I tend to decide which pocket to use based on my fabric choice, so it gives me endless possibilities! The pattern and tutorial make it straightforward for beginners and the finished product makes it look like I’ve been sewing for a thousand years. Highly recommended!
helenjamesnz –
This is an absolutely essential pattern if you have girls in your life & access to a sewing machine! Really clear easy instructions at each step & a gorgeous, professional looking final product! I honestly deleted all my other girls skirt patterns after I made my first mānuka. My go-to last minute gift for girls birthdays (well, until I bought the Rawe top which is even quicker …)
Aimee –
This pattern is PERFECTION! I initially bought it for my daughter to sew her own skirt, but thought I’d better trial it to see how user friendly it is for beginners. It is absolutely user friendly and very cleverly constructed resulting in a beautifully finished garment. It is a simple sew, but the pocket options and the faux button option add something extra special to an otherwise basic skirt. The flat front with elasticated waist is a style that will age well – my daughter is 8 and sizes a 6 so she’ll get a another 3-4 years of Manuka skirts from this single pattern. Brilliant!
rachelslimmon –
The classic shape of the Manuka makes it a lovely sew. Simple , easy lines make this the perfect learning pattern. My favourite part is the flat front for detail and the elastic back for comfort.
I’ve just brought my daughter a sewing machine for her birthday present and I think t ugh is will be one of her first sews.
kwaples –
This is an absolutely stunning pattern. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, I love the versatility of it and the pockets are an absolute winner. This has officially become my go to skirt pattern because of how quick and easy it is to sew. You cant go wrong with this pattern.
Brooke Pye (verified owner) –
This is an amazing pattern. I used it for my beginners sewing class and instead of waiting until next week I went home and finished it at home 😂. As an absolute beginner it came up beautifully. Now to find another pattern for next week! The tutorials, the blogs, and the video “how to” for the hard steps made it so easy too! And if there is a problem the FB community will help you out.
Jody (verified owner) –
Such a great pattern! Making the Mānuka skirt took very little time with great results – every detail is beautifully thought out with the outcome coming to a perfect balance of practical and oh-so-adorable! I would absolutely recommend this of you are a complete first timer – if you are looking for your first ever pattern and want the results of a pro, let thisbe it. For the more experienced among us this will be a relaxing project whipped up with a cuppa.The hardest part was choosing which buttons to pick! (The faux buttons are pure genius, by the way – I love that little quick win detail with minimal effort, it really tops the whole look with so little fuss!)
There’s absolutely no doubt what my next project will be – a women’s version for me!