For the simplest first elastic-waist skirt, Burda Style 6586 is the clearer starting point in this shortlist. The publisher rates it Very Easy and describes a skirt with elastic at the waist and no fastening. Simplicity S8605 suits someone who wants a paper-bag waist, pockets and a tie belt and accepts the extra construction steps.

This recommendation comes from publisher descriptions and pattern features, not from sewing these patterns ourselves. Completion time, fit and instruction clarity have not been physically tested.

Two verified patterns, different first projects

Pattern Publisher description Rating Why choose it Added work
Burda Style 6586 Elastic waist, no fastening, mini-to-maxi styles Very Easy A direct route to a pull-on skirt Cutting length and handling the hem still matter
Simplicity S8605 Pull-on skirt and pants, high paper-bag waist, pockets and tie belt Easy More waist styling and useful pockets Pocket construction, waist finish and belt add steps

Pattern numbers identify specific designs. A photograph of a different skirt or a seller title using only a brand name is not an equivalent pattern. These Amazon routes search by exact number because no current exact ASIN was verified.

Burda Style 6586: fewer features to learn at once

Choose 6586 when the aim is to learn assembly, an elastic waistband and a hem without learning zipper insertion at the same time. Pick a single view and length before calculating fabric requirements. Different lengths can change yardage substantially.

A stable woven fabric recommended by the pattern envelope is easier to handle than a slippery cloth. Do not assume every cotton works equally well: a stiff quilting cotton creates more volume than a softer cotton fabric. Check opacity and drape before buying several yards.

The simple fastening does not eliminate fitting. A pull-on waist must pass over the hips before the elastic contracts. Buy the size using the publisher’s body-measurement chart, then check the finished garment information and waistband construction. Ready-to-wear size is not a reliable substitute.

Simplicity S8605: pockets and a paper-bag waist

S8605 includes skirts and pants in two lengths. The publisher describes sizes XS to XL and a high paper-bag waist with pockets and a tie belt. It is a sensible step when you want those details, rather than a reason to make the first project as short as possible.

Pockets are useful but add pieces and assembly steps. A tie belt also needs cutting, turning or folding and neat finishing. The waist styling is part of the design: choose it because you want that shape, not because every elastic-waist skirt has identical construction.

Make the skirt view first if pants fitting is outside your current skills. Read the tissue legend and cutting layout for that view so unused pant pieces do not enter the cutting plan.

Choose the packet before choosing the fabric

  1. Confirm the exact pattern number and included garment views.
  2. Choose the size range using current body measurements.
  3. Read the fabric suggestions and yardage for your size, width and view.
  4. Read the notions list for the required elastic width and other supplies.
  5. Check whether a paper packet is unused and includes instructions, especially for secondhand listings.

One-size descriptions and unfamiliar digital downloads need closer attention. A paper pattern and a PDF are different formats. A seller’s pack of several patterns is not necessarily good value if only one fits the project and measurements.

Keep the first sew manageable

Prewash the fabric according to its intended care method if the pattern fabric can shrink. Mark the pattern’s specified lines, maintain its seam allowance and press as construction proceeds. Test the elastic around your waist before closing the casing, allowing for the overlap method in the instructions.

Do not shorten elastic until you can put on the skirt and sit comfortably. The elastic must stretch enough to pass over the hips while the waistband fabric allows the same movement. A very tight elastic does not correct a waistband cut too small.

Recommendation

Choose Burda 6586 for a first skirt with fewer added details. Choose S8605 when pockets and paper-bag styling are the reason you want to sew. Neither is assigned a guaranteed completion time or a comparative price advantage; those depend on your view, skill and current listing.

Sources and method

Features and publisher difficulty ratings checked against Burda Style 6586 and Simplicity S8605 , 26 September 2026. The packet’s view-specific cutting instructions remain the authority for elastic width, yardage and construction. We have not verified every marketplace packet, and the buying cards are honestly labeled Amazon searches.

Questions before buying

Is an elastic waist easier than a zipper?

It removes zipper insertion, but the waistband must still fit over the hips and hold comfortably at the waist.

Which pattern is the simpler first choice?

Burda 6586 has the more direct documented elastic-waist design. S8605 adds paper-bag styling, pockets and a tie belt.

Can I buy my normal clothing size?

Use the publisher body-measurement chart and the correct size-range packet. Ready-to-wear sizing varies.

Simplicity’s measurement guide explains the difference between body and finished-garment measurements. Use that distinction when selecting the S8605 size packet; the added ease is not extra body size.

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