Kids' Pleated Skirt Tutorial: Asymmetric Wrap Skirt
A cute asymmetric wrap skirt with pleats that I sewed for my daughter, from the Vikisews Belle pattern. The video is very detailed, so even beginners can sew along.
Why make this pleated skirt
Pleats look complicated but only need careful marking and pressing, and the D-rings and buttons make the waist adjustable. The pattern comes in sizes for heights from 98 to 158 cm.
My tips for crisp pleats
- Don't choose a 100% cotton fabric: it creases easily.
- Choose the size by the hip measurement, even if the waist and height don't match: the length and waist are adjusted later.
- On the right side of the fabric, transfer only the pleat lines shown in pink on the pattern; on the wrong side, transfer all of them.
- For sharp pleats, press with water mixed with 1–2 tablespoons of white vinegar per litre, and let the pleats cool under a piece of wood.
- The small 4 × 8 cm piece that holds the D-ring was missing from my pattern, so cut it yourself.
- If the waistband seems smaller than the skirt, ease the excess in: simply lay the skirt flat on the table, and it will shrink on its own thanks to the pleats.
- Do a fitting before sewing on the buttons: mine ended up higher than planned.
What you need for a pleated wrap skirt
- Vikisews Belle skirt pattern sizes for heights 98–158 cm
- Fabric about 1 m, 140 cm wide (the amount for each size is in the video description)
- Interfacing about 0.5 m
- Buttons 1–1.2 cm, two sets
- D-rings two, 2 cm Find it ↗
- Janome 2030 DC sewing machine Find it ↗
- Singer Heavy Duty 4432 sewing machine Find it ↗
- Elna 664 PRO overlocker Find it ↗
- Bernina L 460 overlocker my second overlocker: I won it in a Vikisews sewing competition Find it ↗
Colour Studio
Plan your colours before you sew
Choosing fabric for a pleated skirt? Try it with the top she'll wear in the free Colour Studio, and see which colours go together.
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