50′s Skirt Adventure #2 – DIY Pleated Skirt

This is the second skirt which I created in my sewing frenzy, very similar to the first one but a little shorter and with the prettiest pink floral fabric. Made from a stiffer cotton linen blend, I found that it gave the skirt a much fuller effect with less fabric and I find to be just adorable.

In all of the skirts made, I usually estimate my size rather than be completely precise, this is partially why I LOVED making them. The lack of precision needed was a big incentive. However, this skirt in particular, I made the mistake of underestimating my size and I needed to add another panel to the whole thing. Though I was quite annoyed at this, it is hardly noticeable due to the fullness of the entire piece.

50′s Skirt Adventure #2: Full Pleated Knee-Length

As mentioned before, this one was made using a stiff (but thin) cotton linen. Of all the materials I’ve used, I find this is the best when wanting to achieve a really full pleated skirt. Great for summer too!

Tools:

• Sewing Machine
• 1.5 metres of fabric
• Pins
• Fabric Scissors
• Zipper
• Zipper foot
• Thread and needle

Tutorial:

Steps 1 and 2

 1. Cut out two rectangles. The length would be your desired length plus a little excess and the width I used was around 110cm pretty much the width of the fabric I used.

2. Cut out a waist band that would fit around your waist plus a little excess. Make it about 4 to 5 inches wide.

3. Sew the two rectangle together (side seam)

I didn’t do this in the first skirt until after pleating, but then learned that doing it before pleating is a good idea.

4. Start to evenly pleat the top and pin down as shown in the images below. Pleat until the the skirt approximately fits around your waist.

5. Attach the waist band to the pleated top, right sides facing each other.

This was done the same way the first skirt was

Steps 3 to7

6. Attach a dress zipper to the skirt on the open ends.

I used a simple dress zip. I would have used an invisible zipper but I had grabbed the wrong one in the store so I decided to use it anyway. I found this video very useful along with this pictorial tutorial (I didn’t use glue like in the pictorial tutorial though).

The series of photos shows how I attached it:

• Baste the ends of the fabric together (loosely sew)
• Place zipped on the wrong side of the garment
• Pin in place
• Sew zip on with correct zipper foot
• Cut the basting off, revealing the zip

Now you’ve got the whole skirt shape and you can try it on to make sure it fits and make adjustments if necessary.

7. Finish off the waistband

Fold the waist fabric over a couple of times. Press. Pin. Sew.

8. Attach hook and bar clasps to the waistband opening.

9. Hem the bottom of the skirt.

Now twirl away, you’re done!

As you may be able to tell, I’m not the best or the neatest seamstress. But it doesn’t matter because, this such a simple project where the flaws are not noticeable unless your real up close!

The fabric you choose will be the most important feature (just make sure the thread matches well) – Hence, more incentive to give it a go!

LOve <3

PQP