A for effort with the Peppermint Acacia A-line Skirt

Have you whipped up the Acacia A-Line Skirt yet? Accessible to beginner and experienced sewists alike, its classic style makes this skirt a wardrobe staple and a pattern you can happily play on repeat. Curved front pockets and the fun exposed-zip detail at the centre back make this style pop! The Acacia is a blank canvas, awaiting inspiration – add contrast top stitching, trim the pockets with bias binding or even change the length. We’ve chosen the smooth, clean lines that come from facing the waist, with back darts to ensure a neat fit on the hip. *chef’s kiss*

Did you know you can lengthen and make it a mini, midi or maxi? You do you! ⁠Whilst we’ve gone for a mini skirt style you are so free to lengthen this little beauty by simply extending the lines of the side seams as you desire. Our friends at Weft and Warp have made a handy video showing how to lengthen the skirt.

This pattern was made in collaboration with Weft and Warp, who are passionate about helping makers create beautiful clothes they love, to fit the body they have. They proudly offer all things garment sewing – fabrics, patterns, supplies, A0 printing and classes – from their storefront in Canberra, Australia, along with an online store brimming with sewing treasures. “We LOVE denim here at Weft and Warp, so when Peppermint asked us to collaborate on the new Acacia skirt pattern using our denim, of course we said “Yes,” said Rebecca Harper, Weft and Warp founder (along with her husband Matthew).

Rebecca described Weft and Warp as the product of a 30-year journey travelling the world, visiting sewing shops. “For us, it’s our experience as fellow home sewists that sets us apart from our larger competitors,” said Rebecca when we spoke to them a while back about their indie store, the realisation of a lifelong dream. “We’re down in the trenches with our customers. We use our unpickers just as often as they do. Between our team members, we have experience with every independent pattern brand we sell. This means we can point out tips and tricks that may not be apparent until you have sewn one of these patterns. All of us also love nerding out about developments in the world of indie patterns, so if you don’t see something on the shelf that’s for you, we can often make suggestions of online brands worth looking at, because we have tried lots of them!”

Our version of the Acacia was sewn using the Tollerton 100% cotton 9oz denim from Weft and Warp. We added contrast top stitching using Gutermann Professional Jeans Thread in Dark Gold 1970 for that classic look. Whilst our vision for the Acacia recommends heavier weight fabrics such as denim, corduroy and sturdy drills, with some simple tweaks (listed in the instructions) you can definitely opt for a lighter fabric for a fun and flirty skirt.

Weft and Warp graciously sent three sewists the fabric of their choice to whip up their own Acacia A-Line – the results are super sweet! Make your own by grabbing the pattern here and don’t forget to share your makes with #PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt.

An A-line skirt is one of those timeless styles, so when the team at @PeppermintMagazine asked if I’d like to make one out of some lovely denim from @WeftAndWarpFabrics, it was a no brainer.

Going by the measurements I made a size E but had to trim quite a lot off the sides and increase the darts to make it fit. This was an easy fix and now fits nicely, but still with just enough room for a feast to be eaten! [Editor’s note: we have since removed an excess seam allowance that was on the original pattern!]

I made a change to the pattern by cutting the skirt slightly shorter and then adding a small ruffle using some Brodie Anglaise from my stash. I also used the edge of this fabric (which wasn’t embroidered) to add little ruffles to the pockets. I did have plans for a longer skirt, but something wasn’t quite working with the proportions and @Tricky.Pockets convinced me I’d get more wear out of it this length. I think she was right but 🤫 don’t tell her 😉.

I know a few have mentioned to me this pattern may be too short for their preference, however FYI there is a tutorial showing you how you can make it midi or even maxi length – just check out the link in the bio on the @WeftAndWarpFabrics Insta page.

Thanks @PeppermintMagazine and @WeftAndWarpFabrics for allowing me to test out this pattern. I can see myself wearing this skirt all year round… during summer with singlet tops and tees, and in winter with a knitted top, tights and boots… an absolute allrounder!

Lorraine / @The.Sewcialite

I feel so bow-tiful in my Acacia Skirt! This pattern was their collaboration with @WeftAndWarpFabrics, who kindly sent me their cotton drill, which was the perfect weight for it!

My favourite part of this shirt was the DEEEEP pockets – my wrists fit into them, too! It was also quite easy to come together! Adding the exposed zippers was definitely a new territory for me and I stretched myself. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m happy enough. I used a recycled zipper from my late grandpas trousers I think the colour is perfect with the green.

As a final touch, I added these bows to the pockets, allowing the ties to hang lower than the hem. I stitched them on at 3 points: the knot, and part of the loops.

Carolyn / @HandmadeByCarolyn

Peppermint has a new miniskirt pattern out in conjunction with @WeftAndWarpFabrics, the Acacia skirt… and you know I just can’t turn down a winter miniskirt pattern!

I used this beautiful wide wale cotton corduroy from @WeftAndWarpFabrics in colour Amber… it’s a sort of beautifully greeny, bronze-y gold colour that practically glows on a grey cloudy winter light… just like the acacia flower, in fact.

The Acacia is quite a streamlined design but the addition of simply ginormous pockets has brought it up to what must be the most perfect winter miniskirt pattern ever. I added 10cm in length to mine and found it very simple to make and it’s easy and comfortable to wear too. Basically, it’s a cute a classic little A-line skirt with those pockets really elevating IMO… such a great wardrobe builder and I will most definitely be making more!

And I have to confess… after a few wears I conceded the designer did made the length perfect in the first place and I ended up lopping off that extra 10cm!