Things You'll Need:
- Measuring tape
- Cotton material
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Elastics for the waist
- Iron
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Step 1
Measure your waist and hips. Measure the length from the hips to the bottom of the skirt. Calculate yardage based on each pleat assembly. Each pleat will be 1 inch deep, folded over, and the next pleat will begin an inch to the left of that. Therefore, each pleat is 2 inches of material plus an inch more before you set the next pleat. Find your hip measurement and calculate how many pleats are needed. Add an extra inch or two for ease. This is the width of material you will need.
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Step 2
Calculate the width of the waist-to-hip piece based on your hip width. You can cut a single rectangular piece to fit the width, plus 2 inches for ease. Length is the waist-to-hip measurement plus 2 inches for a casing band to hold the elastic. This skirt will only have a back seam, which further eliminates waist and hip bulk.
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Step 3
Make a pleat as directed. Pin the top of the pleat and the bottom where it the hem line is. You may want to cut a piece of paper and try out the pleat. They can be narrower or wider than the above instructions indicate. Just remember to calculate the number of inches for each pleat set to be sure you have enough material to finish the skirt.
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Step 4
Hem the bottom of the pleat material before you start pleating. It will be easier once you begin making your pleating sets. Make a set and pin it at the top and the bottom of the material. When you have finished your skirt width, iron the pleats in place while still pinned.
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Step 5
Place the pleated section on the hip rectangle, right sides together and stitch all around. Make a single seam from the top to the hem.
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Step 6
Turn under the raw edge on the waistband and fold it over to make a casing. Stitch to within 2 inches of the waist band. Leave the open edge so you can insert the elastic. After you have fed the elastic through, seam the edges together with a zigzag stitch. Finish the open edge by hand stitching it shut.
