Easy Girls Pleated Skirt DIY in 6 Steps (Free Pattern)
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Inside: This adorable pleated skirt DIY is easy with the free sewing pattern. Make it in six easy steps, plus there’s a video to walk you through it.
You can make an pleated skirt that is perfect for girls in the fall. This free pleated skirt pattern can be made from fleece or jersey knit. It can also be made in a shorter mini length or a longer length.
YOU WILL NEED:
- 1/3 fleece or jersey knit color A
- 1/4 fleece or jersey knit color B
- 16-19 inches elastic
- thread
- Sewing Essentials (pins, scissors, etc.)
- Get the free pattern here.
Get the video tutorial here, written below:
Girls Pleated Skirt DIY
step 1 – Cut out free sewing pattern of the pleated skirt
Print up the free pattern (you can get assembly instructions here)
Cut out Pleated Skirt DIY 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.
step 2 – Begin to build the Skirt
Alternating pieces A and B sew them together using a .5 seam allowance, right sides together. This starts the Pleated Skirt DIY. Next is making the hem.
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.
step 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.
step 4 – Sew the Pleated Skirt DIY 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.
step 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.
step 6 – Finishing the pleated skirt diy
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.
Download the free pattern here, tutorial below.
You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here. By downloading you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Click the picture below and fill up the form to download the .pdf !
More Free Girls Skirt Patterns:
- The Simple Pencil Skirt
- The Circle Skirt (no math needed!)
- The Fleece Ruffle Skirt
- Midi Yoga Skirt (comfy and easy!)
- The Sweater Upcycle skirt
- The Fun and Frilly Skirt
- You can see all of my free skirt patterns here.
More Girl Patterns:
- Flannel Nightgown Pattern
- Fingerless Gloves Pattern
- Holiday Bow Tie Headband
- How to Make a Flower Fascinator
Want to learn more about box pleats? Sew4Home has some great instructions and tips. You can learn more here.
Its very good job. You are very intelligent mom. Your kids is very lucky. I like your creativity and you.
Loving
shiny
Hi, just wondering how many sets are there for the skirt size 7/8..im having a hard time figuing it out…
Selma,
I’m a little confused on your question. If you are meaning pleats there are 8 pleats total – the amount is the same no matter what the pattern size.
– Angel
Angel~ thanks i finally figured it out..and finished it…yea! I will send a pic shortly…it was nice…im trying to figure out how to make one for myself…
Wow. I really loved this tutorial! I’m a beginner at sewing but following this tutorial I turned out this dress – I”m very happy with it. Thank you!!!!!! I will be trying more patterns for sure! You are a very talented communicator and teacher and super creative mom.
flickr.com/photos/29483175@N07/sets/72157631928687991/
Paula
Paula,
Thanks for sharing the cute pictures!
– Angel
I have 2 girls that I am planning on making this skirt for, one wears a 6x and one a 3t, how would I do the sizing for them?
I would make the mini 4t for the 3t, and the 7/ 8 for the 6x as my patterns can run small.
Thank you so much!
Is there any way to get this pattern in a size 13/14 or Junior 0/5 we are having a dance competition and this skirt would be perfect!
I’m sorry I don’t have plans for that size at this time.
– Angel
I hate to say the “C” word but can this pattern be used with Cotton? I’m making your ruffled pants (taking a rest break!) for my 3 year old granddaughter. She is going to love them!
Yes it will work – just make sure you finish your edges so it won’t fray.
I just converted your pattern to American Girl size (15″-18″ doll) and it is adorable! Thank you for the help. I wish I could post the picture to you. This is my first doll item that looks great…and it is a pleated skirt!!!! I am stocked!
Hey I am in Zimbabwe and I have just made 2 sets of fleece pants and hats for my babies aged 2 and 1 with much success and now cant wait to try out this adorable pleated skirt. thanks for the lovely creative and easy to follow patterns and instructions. stay blessed
And another generously shared grest tutorial.
Thank you Angel!
I will absolutely sew this pretty skirt.
Cheers!
Hi, I’m on the second from last step, attaching that top of the skirt to the bottom and I’m stuck. I seem to have more skirt the top. I’ve double checked and I have the right size top piece and the correct number of pleats….should I sew as is? It should I remove some skirt?
If I pin it to fit I’d say I have a least a square too many.
Thanks!
What size are you making and I will double check the pattern.
I bought myself a sewing machine for Chritmas and this will be my first sewing project. As a beginner, i have a silly question. When you say 1/3 fleece or jersey knit color A and 1/4 fleece or jersey knit color B are you talking yards??
Yes sorry I should specify that. Yes I mean yards. =)
Thank you for sharing this tutorial, I found it on Pinterest and I knew I had to make the skirt for my little girl! I chose sweat-fabric and it turned out really cute!!!
demamavansophiemaakt.blogspot.com/2014/01/een-creatieve-zondag.html
Do you happen to have instructions for smaller sizes for infants? Newborn to 12 months?
I am sorry Dana I don’t at this time.
thank you for the paterns and instructions its been a long time since sewing so here i go again
I would appreciate receiving the pattern for pleated skirts for small girls. Hoping to try to make cheerleading skirts.
Thanks,
Marla
click on the pattern envelope in the size you want and it’s there.