Pleated Wrap Skirt Tutorial

I see a huge amount of traffic coming to this post from tumbler and I couldn't resist letting people know that in the next post I have a giveaway of my new fabric collection and new book going on right now. I'd love you to enter!! Just leave a comment in the next post for a chance to win. Thanks for stopping by!!

OK, here's the original skirt tutorial post:

Here's the tutorial I mentioned in the last post. This is another great and simple way to make a classic pleated skirt, this time a wrap. It's really just like making a very wide pleated apron. These are great for kids because the wrap detail means it will fit for a while. This tutorial shows how to make it to any size. Here goes:

Supplies

tape measure or long string and ruler
pencil
iron
pins
use 1/4 inch seam allowances
fabric amounts depend on measurements of the wearer

1. Figure the skirt width. Measure the wearers waist using a tape measure or long string and a ruler. Multiply that number by 2.66, round to the nearest half inch, and then add 8 (for a 6 inch overlap and 2 inch seam allowance). Add 8" to the waist measurement and then multiply by 2.66.

example: waist = 28"           28 x 2.66 = 74.48               74.5 + 8 = 82.5

28 + 8 = 36           36 x 2.66 = 95.76

2. Figure the length of the waistband/ties by adding 21 inches to the final skirt width by 2.5" wide. If you need to, It's fine to piece two fabrics together along the short side to achieve the correct length though I wouldn't piece more then two fabrics because you'll get too many noticeable seams.

3. Figure the skirt length. Measure from waist to where you want the skirt to fall. Add 1.25" for hem and seam allowance.

4. Cut your fabric according to these measurements.

5. Make the pleats. First hem the short edges of the skirt. Fold the raw edges to the wrong side by 1/2", press, repeat and topstitch. Along the top raw edge of your fabric use a pencil to make marks 1.5" apart. Use an iron to press pleats in alternating directions at every 1.5" mark and pin in place.

6. Attach the skirt band/tie.  With right sides facing place the band/tie, off center so that it will be about 8" longer on one side then the other, on top of the top (pleated) edge of the skirt aligning raw edges. Pin and sew the band/tie to the skirt. Press the raw edge of the band/tie to the wrong side by 1/4" down the entire length. Press the raw edges of the short sides of the ties to the wrong side by 1/2". Fold the band over so that the 1/4" pressed fold covers the raw edges of the seam on the wrong side of the skirt and pin. You are essentially using the band as you would seam binding. Starting in the middle of the skirt, topstitch very close to the folded edge of the the band on the wrong side of the skirt to the end of one tie. Repeat. Press the raw edge of the bottom of the skirt to the wrong side by 1/2". Repeat. Pin and sew to hem. Press the entire skirt to emphasize pleats and get a crisp edge on the top edge of the band.

Comments

[Alyssa]

Sarah, I'm with you on that one! No clue! I might try to add a slit to weave it through.....
Any help would be great!

[M Ridenhour]

This doesn't make sense; as one commenter noted, it's essentially tied together like an apron, and so there is a big slit where the two edges tie together.

The band needs to be about the same length as the skirt is wide, but the left hand tie needs to remain unsewn to the skirt for the last 6 or so inches. Then a button needs to be sewn on the inside so that the underlapped and overlapped portions can button together.

When worn, one would first button the botton, then tie the ties together. This way there is an overlap so that the entire thigh isn't exposed.

Does this make any sense? o_O

[Chloe]

I made my skirt 10" wider and also made the ties longer, I then made a button hole the size of the tie off center on one side of the band, wrapped the skirt around and pulled the tie through the button hole and tied it in the front. (if that makes sense) Turned out adorable!

[Debbie Thompson]

I would like to make this for my college-bound daughter, who just sent me the link to your website. Having sewn pleats before, I believe more information is needed to make them as pictured. I understand that they are made every 1.5", but how deep are they? 1/4"? 1/2"? It makes a difference and could be the reason for some of the confusion. Thanks.

[evelyn]

I have the same question.. how do you sewit together?

[Sara]

Is there a place where some of these questions are answered? (the ties/depth of pleats)

I'd love to figure out this beautiful skirt!

[lima]

Such a pretty skirt! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
I linked it in a serie I'm writing for my blog (http://rock-n-roll-stops-the-traffic.blogspot.it/2012/04/diy-from-head-to-toe-6-spring-edition.html#more), hope you don't mind! :)

[Bonnie Hedrick]

I'm making this skirt and almost finished. I decided not to make it a wrap skirt 1)I don't know how to do buttonholes 2)it would be too much fabric around my waist. I'm going to sew it up the side, leaving about a two inch finished opening that will get covered up by the tie. I eliminated about 1/3 of the fabric. It's turning out very cute but I was frustrated for awhile there, I'm a beginner sewer. There's a pic of my almost finished skirt on my blog http://knittingirl40.com/?p=292&preview=true. I lined it,too.

[Sherrie M]

I'm ready to do this skirt but also don't understand about how to close the wrap. It doesn't look like it's the traditional.
can you help me asap???

[Karen]

The directions are missing something...it ends up being an apron. Would like to try. But....