Midnight Musings: Pleated Skirt Tutorial

Pleated Skirt Tutorial

Pleated skirts are a classic, timeless look and accentuates the waist perfect so it suits any body shape. They can be dressed up or down and I just love the look of them!

What you will need:

measuring tape
1.5metres of fabric
pins
sewing machine
matching thread
zipper
matching thread

Pieces

The first thing to do is cut all the pieces required and set aside.

Waistband : 2 pieces
Length = waist + seam allowance

For example - My waist is 31 inches so my each band piece was 33 inches in length.

Width = Preference
I like to have a thick waistband so my waist is accentuated so mine was 2.5 inches.

Front piece

Length = (waist divided by 2) + seam allowance + 18 inches

For example - my waist of 31/2 + 2 + 18 = 35.5"

Width = Waistline to below the knee + seam allowance

Back : 2 pieces

Length = (waist divided by 4) + seam allowance + 6 inches

For example - my waist 31 /4 + 2 + 6 = 15.75"

Width = same width as front piece

Waistband

Take the two waistband pieces and with right sides together, sew along both lengths.

2. Flip the fabric right side out and press. Place waistband aside.

Front

3. The first thing to do is mark the centre of the top of your piece. From that centre point, mark 3 inches to the left and 3 inches to the right. These 3 marks will be your centre pleat. (Use a pencil to do your markings, I used tabs so it would be more visible).

4. Now from your the centre of your piece, mark 7 inches to the right and 7 inches to the left.

5. From the mark that is furthest right, make one mark 3 inches away and one 6 inches away.

6. From the mark that is furthest left, make one mark 3 inches away and one 6 inches away.

Now you have marked your 3 pleats.

7. Start with the middle pleat. Hold the centre of the pleat up and with right sides together, fold the fabric until you align your 2 markings for that pleat. Place a pin to keep the 2 markings aligned.

8. Turn your fabric so the right side is facing down and the centre of pleat is kind of loosely hanging.

9. Gently push the fabric down so it sits neatly and pin the two sides. Note how the centre marking is still in the middle.

The front of the piece should look like this:

10. Complete steps 7, 8 and 9 for all three pleats.

Sew along the top of each pleat. I made an 0.5inch marking on mine so my pleat stayed nice and neat.

11. Press piece and set aside.

Back

Each back piece will have a pleat. I marked where my zipper will be on both pieces before I started marking my pleats.

12. Take the first back piece and mark 8 inches from the zip. This will be the centre of your pleat. Then mark 3 inches on either side, pin and stitch.

Repeat this on the second back piece.

Press both pieces.

Assembling

13. With the right side of the skirt facing up towards you, pin the waistband, with the wrong side facing you just under the pleat stitches. Sew along the edge of the waistband.