Roma Midi Skirt – Ankara Everyday

I really, really love this gorgeous African wax print (ankara) fabric and I really, really love the Roma midi skirt by @halfmoonatelier

I bought this fabric as a remnant from a seller on instagram, @ailz_ . It was less than a metre and I was initially thinking of a top. But as I was prepping for Ankara appreciation week I decided that a quick and easy straight skirt was what I needed.

I came across this roma skirt by @therealalexisbailey on instagram and knew that I needed to make one.

It looked so simple and was just the shape I wanted, with no fasteners and a cute side patch pocket, which I left off on mine as I didn’t have enough fabric. In fact, it looked so simple that in my arrogance and my quest not to buy all the patterns (see Megan Neilsen River Hack post), I thought I’d draft my own copy. But then guilt flooded over me, I  shouldnt be copying someone else’s pattern and for £9, surely I could help out a gal doing her hustle. So I  clicked.

The pattern is for a straight skirt which falls below the knee, with a lovely curved hem creating a side split. It has an elasticated waist. The pattern allows for you to make it more or less fitted according to where you take your measurements. It can be finished with a folded hem or with bias binding. @therealalexisbailey has a sewalong style tutorial showing you how to do the folded hem around the curve.

This is a skirt that can be made in around 2 hours. It’s also a skirt that works really well with ankara fabric. Just 2 pieces and an optional pocket so you can really showcase your fabric with little interuption to the print. With larger prints you can have fun with pattern placement too. I love this ankara roma skirt by @timetosew with the bands of colour and pattern.

This skirt is a casual, modern take on the classic pencil skirt and can be dressed up or down.

Following #midiskirtroma I was surprised to see so few makes. I’m not a great fan of elasticated waists because although they are comfy, they create a fuller silhouette than I want around my tummy and bottom. But this skirt shape has minimal pouff around the mid section and the straight shape is pleasing.

If you followed #sewingankarafabric on instagram last week you may have been blown away by all the amazing, showstopping makes. But I want to show you some ways in which ankara fabric can brighten up a basic garment, making waxprint work for every day. The roma skirt is definitely one pattern to use. It is a good one for left over fabric from a 6 yard bundle perhaps, or if you’re just wanting to test run ankara, buy one yard and make this skirt. Let me know if you make one!