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You are here: Home / Patternmaking Tutorial / How to Make a Pleated Skirt-Part 1

How to Make a Pleated Skirt-Part 1

July 31, 2014 by Katrina

Pleated skirt blog katrinakaycreationsHave you ever seen a skirt you really liked but it didn’t come in your size? Or it’s no longer sold by the store? I saw this pleated skirt on Nordstrom’s Web site a few months ago and thought it was so cute, but they no longer sell it. So I decided to challenge myself and copy it. Im almost sure I have a few more gray hairs from making this pattern. But, I think it was worth it. After many versions later, in Part 1 of 2 videos, I’ll show you how to make this pleated skirt pattern. These aren’t your usual horizontal or vertical pleats. Noooo, these pleats are on an angle. Can you say FUN!?

I didn’t make an exact clone of this skirt. I added what I like and left out what my body didn’t need. For example, I left out what looks like a small yoke at the waist because I didn’t want to emphasize my sloping waistline. I also added a little fullness to my skirt to balance out my top heaviness, and made it longer. That’s the beauty of doing it yourself, you can add what you like and leave out what you don’t. 

pleat placement katrinakaycreations

I did a lot of guessing about where the pleats should be placed and how wide they should be. I settled on my pleats finishing at 1 1/2″ wide.

nord assym pleat skirt katrinakaycreations

Nordstrom’s Skirt

Let’s take a look at Nordstrom’s skirt. (Click all images to enlarge.) It has 5 angled pleats in the front only. The skirt also has a wide top-stitched hem.

The fabric looks like denim, which is what I plan to make my skirt out of also.

I can’t explain it, but I like my denim skirts long, even though I’m rather short. They just feel more comfortable to me for some reason. Nordstrom’s skirt is about knee level.

As mentioned above, it looks like it has a small yoke at the waist, unless that’s the imprint of her tucked in shirt. Or it could be a wide waistband. Either way, my skirt will just have a faced waist.

My Version

On the left is what my finished pattern looks like with the pleats open. (You can see the whole patternmaking process in the video.) Note: the pattern piece in the video is half scale. It’s the only way I could fit the whole piece in the camera frame. On the right is the finished muslin, which is full scale.skirt pattern and muslin katrinakaycreations

In Part 2, I’ll show you how I sewed the skirt and what the finished skirt looks like. So stay tuned!

**Update: Part 2 is not up yet because I had to put this project in time out. The pleats were fine but the fit of the skirt was not right. I haven’t given up, just had to walk away.

Related posts:

  1. Do You Want to Make Your Own Sewing Patterns?
  2. How to Copy Your Favorite Sewing Pattern to Create More Styles
  3. Skirt Pattern: Add to Your Hip, Not Your Waist
  4. How to Move a Dart on Your Sewing Pattern

Filed Under: Patternmaking Tutorial, Skirt Tutorials Tagged With: draft, patternmaking, pleated skirt, plus size sewing pattern, sewing, sewing pattern, skirt pattern

« Custom-Fit Plus Size Patterns
Skirt Pattern: Add to Your Hip, Not Your Waist »

Comments

  1. frenie says

    April 7, 2015 at 2:17 am

    Can’t wait til it’s out in the world! Love that pattern making.

    • Katrina says

      April 8, 2015 at 1:59 am

      Thanks for reading and watching Frenie.

  2. Rebecca says

    September 28, 2014 at 1:25 am

    Katrina
    The video for the pleated skirt pattern is just amazing! I am trying to increase my pattern making skills so I am definitely going to make this skirt. You are very talented.

    • Katrina says

      September 28, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you, Rebecca. Good luck with your skirt and pattern making. I would love to know how it turns out.

  3. Pauline says

    September 13, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    I have just found your blog tonight through Pinterest. After sewing for 30 odd years I even learnt a couple of new things straight away! I love this pattern and will probably try to make a back matching piece. Thank you for your wonderful and clear directions.

    • Katrina says

      September 13, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      You’re welcome, Pauline! After my challenges with the front, I decided not to do the back. I would love to see how your skirt turns out.

  4. Vanessa says

    August 1, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    Hi Katrina,

    I think you’re blog and what you share online is exceptional.
    I’ve watched all of your videos and I’m a member of your Facebook group.

    I really like the style of pleated skirts and I’ve wondered what would be an easy way to draft them. Thanks so much for this simple and clear tutorial.

    • Katrina says

      August 1, 2014 at 9:58 pm

      Awww, thanks Vanessa, such encouraging words. You’re very welcome.

  5. Linda says

    August 1, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Love this. Going to make one this weekend.

    • Katrina says

      August 1, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Great Linda. Let me know how it turns out.

  6. Elizabeth McAlister says

    July 31, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    What a clear explanation for an intriguing skirt pattern.

    • Katrina says

      July 31, 2014 at 10:28 pm

      Thank you, Elizabeth. I was hoping it was easy to understand.

Trackbacks

  1. Skirt Pattern: Add to Your Hip, Not Your Waist - Sewing, Alterations for Plus Size Women says:
    September 10, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    […] I ran into in my effort to make my pleated skirt, (you can see part 1 of the pleated skirt here). I needed to add 3/8″ to each side seam of my skirt, but only at the hip-well mostly right […]

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KKC About Photo Are you tired of spending more time altering & fixing patterns than actually sewing? Or spending money on clothes that don't fit your curves? Then you've come to the right place. Here's what I want for you... READ MORE...

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