Pleated skirt pattern (free) to sew at home

Here is a skirt I recently made myself without using any pattern!! Therefore I would like to share on this free pleated skirt pattern. It’s a fairly simple skirt to make. As this skirt is made out of fairly heavy material, it’s a great skirt to wear during early Spring and late summer/ early autumn. During the In between season period.

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Fabric requirements

It’s does however requires a skirt material with a bit of body in it to make this pattern work effectively. This fabric I use a heavy cotton jacquard weave skirt by Stella McCartney which I bought online on eBay. Here is a link to my previous blog post on buying fabrics online which has details of the seller I use to buy the fabric of skirt from. Other types of fabric like heavy silk or any skirt fabric with some body and drape will be good for this patten.

This skirt consists of big deep pleats, waistband and invisible zip. It is possible to add pockets to the skirt on the side seam. For the purpose of no need of downloading of pattern I didn’t add the pocket pattern.

But you have got any side seam pockets by all means use it. Here is a post on how to sew side seam pocket.

Skirt length requirements 2 meters by 1.4 meters. The pattern will suit a UK size 10 or 12, US size 6 or 8. However as it’s a pleated skirt with big deep pleats the pattern can accommodate a big size. For a smaller just cut the excess material away or cut less material.

Below is a pattern that I have cut with the seams overlock.

To cut the skirt first lay out the material. Cut along on selvedge 20 cm width to make a waistband for the skirt. Then fold into 2 on selvedge (the non fray manufactured edge) of the fabric. After that cut 90 cm length wise and the remaining 100cm width. I have taken off 10cm as I found that I ended up with a much bigger waist that I need for a size 12.

Pleated the skirt.

Start making the pleats on the skirt. Make big deep pleats, sit them next to each other. Overlock the side seams of the skirt panels. Pin the skirt panels in place. Do a fit on yourself or on a dressmakers dummy. Sew one the side seam in place and pocket If sewing. Sew the other side skirt panel in place leaving room for zip opening.

Then sew the zip in place. You will need a 22 cm invisible zip. Here is some tips on how to sew an invisible zip.

Then sew the waistband.

Before doing that, make the waistband. Cut out some Vilene interfacing appropriate weight for the fabric. Fold the waistband fabric lengthwise and iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of the fabric. Then sew the sides of the waistband on leaving room for hook and eye.

Pin and sew waistband in place. The corners and the ends are always the trickiest part to sew. So always cut the end of the notch when turning the ends inside out. Be mindful of where the waistband ends with the skirt and the zip making sure it catches the correct seam. Sew the hook and eye in place on waistband.

Then finish the rest of bottom seam of the skirt by overlooking and sewing an invisible hem.

Thank you for dropping by. Below is an illustration on the skirt pattern. As I said just remember to trim away excess fabric when all the deep pleats wouldnt fit around the waist.