Children’s Pleated Skirt Pattern

Download the free pattern here, tutorial below.

Get the video tutorial here, written below:

1 – Cut out pattern

Print up the pattern (you can get assembly instructions here)

Cut out pattern pieces. Decide if you are making the mid-knee length or the mini length of the skirt – choose the correct pattern pieces for it.

While you’re at it why not make a matching hat?  Get the free pattern and tutorial here.

2 – Begin to build the skirt

Alternating pieces A and B sew them together using a .5 seam allowance, right sides together.  Once you have made one long strip, turn under the bottom (long edge) 1 inch and sew using a zig-zag stitch along the edge.  This is your hem.

3 – Begin to make the box pleat

Using your Handy Dandy pleat guide, begin making the box pleats. Hem is the bottom – you will pin along the top.  Place the guide on the B fabric (it should fit there perfectly).  Fold the A on the left fabric to the dotted center line, pin.  Keeping the guide on the B fabric fold the A fabric on the right to the center crease, pin.  continue down the skirt.Note: There is one pleat that you haven’t made yet, because the final “back” seam to the skirt hasn’t been made – leave this please unpinned – we’ll get to it in a minute.

Press using an iron,with a low setting and a pressing cloth the pleats. (Be sure to check your iron temperature on a scrap – fleece will melt under the iron if it’s too hot).  Sew your box pleats in place, using a straight stitch, and a .25 seam allowance from the top.

4 – Sew the skirt together.

Take the ends of the skirt and with right sides together sew using a .5 seam allowance.   This should make a loop. Then using the guide pin and sew the final pleat.

5 – Make the drop waist.

With right sides together take the top skirt piece and sew the ends together using a .5 seam allowance.

Make the elastic casing. Turn the waistband down 1.5 inches. Pin.  Using a medium zigzag sew along edge of waist starting at a seam and stopping 2 inches short of completing the seam.

Take the bottom half of the skirt (right side facing in and place the top half outside of the skirt – so right sides are touching.  Pin together, sew together using a .5 seam allowance and a straight stitch.

6 – Finishing

Using a safety-pin pinned on one end of the elastic – thread the elastic through the waistband (taking care to keep the other end exposed).  Sew elastic Ends together.  Sew opening closed.  Trim thread and Voila!

I take the elastic and hold it around my child’s waist to give it the right fit.  Safety pin the elastic and then pull it down over the hips to you can tell that there if there is enough / or too much stretch.  Gauge how much to use from there.