4 Comprehensive Steps to Sewing a Fun and Flirty Red Pleated Skirt
There’s a reason why tennis skirts are so popular. They combine the best of flirty fashion together with comfort. This red pleated tennis skirt is so much fun to wear both on and off the tennis court.
I like wearing a checked or plaid pleated tennis skirt because it literally goes with everything: a white tank, black t-shirt, or even a denim jacket.
Although I don’t show you an exact tennis skirt pattern, you can easily make this red pleated skirt with intermediate sewing skills. Let’s get started making this mini plaid skirt.
Tools and materials:
- Fabric - 2 yards
- Measuring tape/ruler
- Tailor’s chalk
- Pins
- Zipper
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Zipper foot
- Needle and thread
- Iron
1. Make the pattern
Determine the length you’d like the skirt to be. Then measure your waist and multiply it by 3 plus 2 additional inches for the width. Cut your fabric to your measurements.
2. Start sewing your skirt
Hem the bottom of the fabric by folding over twice and stitching the hem into place.
Once the fabric is hemmed, lay it down right side facing up. Mark 1 inch at the top on either side at the edges for the zipper allowance.
3. Make the pleats
Starting in from the marked zipper allowance, measure and mark every 2 inches across the top of the fabric.
Each 2 inch mark represents marks 1, 2, and 3.
You want to pleat or fold 3 to the 1 position.
Pin the pleats in place all across the width of the fabric. Iron the pleats to flatten.
Optional: Depending on your body type, you may want to measure down 4 inches from the pleats on each pleat to sew the pleat down. This helps flatten the pleats down past your hips. It looks flattering on some body types and not so great on others.
4. Attach the zipper
Make a waistband to measure your waist by cutting the fabric and folding it in half. Iron the waistband to flatten. Lay the zipper on the waistband and skirt.
Mark where the zipper should end on your skirt on the seam allowance and the zipper itself. Fold the skirt fabric right sides together and sew from the mark downwards towards the hem.
I like to baste stitch my zipper to secure it before sewing with the machine.
Sew the zipper in place with the zipper foot.
Sandwich the waist into the waistband and pin in place. Watch from 6:45 to 7:45 to see how I do it.
Insert the zipper into the open ends of the waistband. Sew to secure.
Red pleated skirt
You’re done making this charming red pleated skirt. Please let me know in the comments how easy it was for you to make and how many compliments you received.
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Comments
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Do you think this would work in a longer length?