Ikat Gingham Maxi Skirt

I have been wanting to make myself a pleated maxi skirt for a long time now…something that would be fun and playful, yet still classy.  But I could never quite find the right fabric for it. Until I stumbled across this gorgeous cotton ikat on my last day trip to NYC for fabric shopping.  It was PERFECT!  Ideally, I wanted a blue and white skirt. But they only had the green and white, or black and white fabric in stock. Black and white would have been really nice, but in the end I went with the green. I just felt like I could envision myself wearing this skirt a lot more, as black and white tends to fancy everything up a bit. This green and white ikat was ideal for a skirt that easily transitioned from casual with sandals and a tank, to dressy with heels. Needless to say, I love it.

How to sew a pleated maxi skirt sewing tutorial  ||  Pleated maxi skirt DIY.

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Fabric used in above maxi skirt is cotton ikat purchased from B & J Fabrics.

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MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 2 – 2.5 yds Ikat, linen, or other medium weight apparel fabric
• Invisible zipper
• Measuring tape
• Basic sewing essentials

HOW TO MAKE A PLEATED MAXI SKIRT:

Please note – the instructions below show pictures for a pleated mini skirt DIY found HERE. To adjust for a maxi skirt, simply cut the skirt panels to your desired length. 

Step One – Determine the length you would like for your skirt to be, and cut (2) panels of fabric that length from selvage to selvage.  Fold (1) panel of fabric in half, matching up the selvage ends. From the fold, measure out 2″ and mark with a pin on both sides.  Measure 4″ from that mark, and pin both sides. Repeat, continuing to measure 4″ from the previous pin until you reach the selvage end. Repeat for both fabric panels.

Step Two – To make the pleats, bring (2) consecutive pins together, folding and flattening the fabric in between evenly underneath. Pin fabric pleat in place, and repeat for next set of consecutive pins. Baste stitch the top edge of your skirt 1/4″ away from the edge to secure pleats in place. Measure your waist circumference, and add 2″ to that measurement, divide that number by 2. For example, my waist is 32″ = (32 + 2 = 34) / 2 = 17.  Measure the new width of your skirt with the pleats, you want the width to be half your waist measurement (17 as per my example). Cut off excess fabric evenly from either side. Repeat for both fabric skirt panels.

Step Three – Place front and back skirt panel right sides together. Pin and sew ONE side edge. Finish seam.

Step Four – Measure your waist circumference, and add 1″ to that measurement. For example, my waist is 32″ = (32 + 1 = 33). Cut (1) rectangle of fabric your new waist measurement (33 as per my example) x 4″L.  This will be your waistband.Place your waistband right sides together with the top of your skirt. Pin, sew, and finish seams. At this time, finish the raw side seams of the open side of your skirt as well, as well as the top raw edge of your waistband.

Step Five – Sew invisible zipper into the open side seam of your skirt, with the plastic nub of the top of your zipper, starting mid waistband. Once zipper is installed, finish sewing skirt side seam. Hem skirt.

Step Six – Fold waistband down toward the wrong side, enclosing all waistband seams and top of zipper. Pin around and sew or whipstitch.

And you are finished!

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The skirt with the red house in the background looks a little ‘little house on the prairie’, am I right? Either that, or Christmas in Florida. Lol – I love it.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy sewing!