Home Sewing Patterns 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt
Young brunette white woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt, movable front panel buttoned to the right for a pants effect.
Black and white pen and in drawing by Gretchen Shields. Two women in front of men riding horses in the background, both wearing 231 Big Sky Riding skirt one with the movable front panel buttoned to the left for a skirt effect and the other buttoned to the right for a pants effect.
231 Big Sky Riding Skirt
Woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the right for a pants effect petting a black and white cow.
Woman standing in front of an open gate surrounded by greenery wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the left for a skirt effect.
Close up of woman walking surrounded by greenery 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the left for a skirt effect
Back view of woman walking surrounded bu greenery with hands in the pocket of the culotte 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt, with a horse in the background.
Close up back view of a woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt and black boots surrounded by greenery.
Close up view of a woman buttoning the buttons of another woman wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt.
Young brunette white woman walking surrounded by greenery wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding skirt buttoned giving the effect of pants.
Close up of the back view a woman standing in front of a white studio backdrop with hands on her hips wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt.
Photo of back cover shows size and yardage chart. Includes fabric suggestions and description.
231 Big Sky Riding Skirt
Young brunette white woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt, movable front panel buttoned to the right for a pants effect.
Black and white pen and in drawing by Gretchen Shields. Two women in front of men riding horses in the background, both wearing 231 Big Sky Riding skirt one with the movable front panel buttoned to the left for a skirt effect and the other buttoned to the right for a pants effect.
231 Big Sky Riding Skirt
Woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the right for a pants effect petting a black and white cow.
Woman standing in front of an open gate surrounded by greenery wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the left for a skirt effect.
Close up of woman walking surrounded by greenery 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt buttoned to the left for a skirt effect
Back view of woman walking surrounded bu greenery with hands in the pocket of the culotte 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt, with a horse in the background.
Close up back view of a woman wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt and black boots surrounded by greenery.
Close up view of a woman buttoning the buttons of another woman wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt.
Young brunette white woman walking surrounded by greenery wearing the 231 Big Sky Riding skirt buttoned giving the effect of pants.
Close up of the back view a woman standing in front of a white studio backdrop with hands on her hips wearing 231 Big Sky Riding Skirt.
Photo of back cover shows size and yardage chart. Includes fabric suggestions and description.
231 Big Sky Riding Skirt

231 Big Sky Riding Skirt

£20.00

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Misses 8-20.

At the turn of the 20th century enterprising equestrian women, such as rodeo star Fanny Sperry Steele (1887-1983), wore a divided skirt, or split skirt, that enabled them to ride astride, but preserved the "look" of a skirt. This garment is actually a culotte with a movable front panel that buttons either to the left, for a skirt effect, or to the right for a pant effect.

This sewing pattern has a deep center back pleat conceals the legs, providing plenty of fullness and assuring a smooth hipline. Double front plackets on either side of the front panel are secured with buttons, which extend down to the hem. We've added side seam pockets, not provided on the antique original. Two lengths are presented: a contemporary mid-calf length and the traditional ankle-length.

The Big Sky Riding Skirt looks wonderfully up-to-date with Folkwear's #133 Belgian Military Chef's Jacket. To star in your own rodeo, top it with one of our Frontier Shirts (#212). This "slick and clean" skirt has come to us from the collection of Tona Freeman Blake, who, with Liz Stiffler and Dee Marvine, has co-authored Fanny Sperry Steele's biography. The pattern was developed from Fanny's own skirt by Ruby Erickson of Augusta, Montana. 

This pattern is available as a Paper pattern and PDF pattern.  Choose the pattern format you want in the drop down menu.  The PDF pattern has instructions, and files for copy shop (36” and A0), print at home (A4 and 8.5”x11”).

Suggested fabrics: Medium to heavyweight cottons and blends such as poplin, denim, gabardine, corduroy; linen; light to medium-weight wools; suiting weight silks.

Yardage chart (.pdf)


NOTE:  In the photos, the top worn with the cream-colored split skirt is a short-sleeved version of the Thai Blouse from 134 South Asian Tops and Wraps.

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