DIY: pleated skirt & circle skirt

Pleated Skirt

So my original plan was to create this skirt for a Velma costume, but I loved it so much, I made a part of my wardrobe.

Materials:

• 2 yards of fabric (to be safe)
• Zipper
• Tape measure
• Fabric scissors

Step 1: Measure your waist then multiply by 3. Then add 2 extra inches for the seam allowance. Example: 26 (my waist) x 3 = 78 + 2 = 80. Measure out 80 inches of the fabric.

Step 2:  Lay out the whole length of fabric, and take your tape measure and make a mark every 3 inches. 1,2,3,1,2,3. Pinch the fabric at every one and fold it over to the three, then pin it there.

Step 3: Sew down the top of the skirt. IF you want, you can sew a few inches of each pleat to keep the pleats in line.

Step 4: Create a waistband. Fold the fabric in half and sew close to the edge. Then sew the waist band to the pleated end of the skirt – place the fabrics, color/print side touching.

Step 5: Sew the raw edges of the bottom of the fabric, then sew the zipper on, then sew the rest of the ends together and you have a pleated skirt!

Circle Skirt

Okay so this skirt is unbelievably easy. (Its the same concept as the two piece skirt)

Materials:

• 1 yard of fabric
• Zipper
• Tape measure
• Fabric scissors

Step 1: Measure your waist, or where you want the skirt to sit.

Step 2: Take the measurement, and divide it by two. Because you are going to fold the fabric in half. One half is the front and one half is the back. (26/2 = 13in)

Step 3: Eyeball where the middle is and measure half of your waist size, then make a mark where that is. So I would put my tape measure in the middle, measure 1-13 and make the mark.

Step 4: Then fold it over again so the two marks are touching then cut the shape of the skirt (diagonal). Once you have the skirt shape, touch the two printed sides to each other, then sew along the two diagonal cuts.

Step 5. Then sew the raw edges on the bottom to create a hem. Also, create a waistband (same as above). Then flip the skirt inside out, so print side is showing.

Step 6: Once that is done, cut a slit in the back center for the zipper and sew it on!

How I sew on a basic zipper:

So once I have cut a slit down the center of the back, or if Im using the edges on the side.. I open the zipper all the way, fold a nice clean edge of the fabric and simply pin the fabric to the zipper. Once I get towards the end of the zipper, I zip it up some so the zipper does not get in the way. Then I repeat for the other side. Super simple!