Today we'll pleat the skirt panels, so prepare yourself for a lot of handwork and hand basting! I have to warn you - I'll use pictures of all three skirts in order to demonstrate all the steps clearly, but I didn't manage to snap all the photos on a single skirt. On some pics the thread blended with the fabric, some pics turned out too blurry. Either way, I'll do my best to describe the sewing process as clearly as possible.
So, if you're sewing view A or B, fold a pleat in half width-wise, with wrong sides together and match the pleat fold lines on the layers.
If you're sewing view C, fold a pleat with right sides together. The rest of the process is identical for all the views.
I advise you to pin the layers first, and then hand baste them, using dense and short stitches from the hemline to the top of the panel. Also, secure the ends of the basting, by making several stitches at the same spot. This way, you'll secure the stitch from ripping off.
On views A and B the basting should end at the bottom of the belt loop, so that the basting line and the seam on the belt loop form a smooth straight line.
Stitch the two layers along the basting line, starting from the top edge of the panel and ending the stitch at the notch on the pleat fold line, distanced several centimeters from the top line.
If you're sewing views A or B, the stitch will be on the right side of the fabric, and if you're sewing the view C, the stitch will be on the wrong side of the fabric.
Repeat the process on all ten pleats.
Once all the pleats are basted, you need to press them. I will show you the technique I'm using. First I press the basted seam, with pleat laid over the pressing board. I direct the pleat in same direction along its length and press the seam, thus defining its lines.
Then I change the pleat's direction and press the seam once again. I repeat the process for all ten pleats.
After this, I flip the fabric so that the pleats are on top of it. I spread the width of the pleat equally on both sides of the seam. If I have difficulties keeping the fabric in place before pressing, I pin the pleat in place. However, I don't press over pins, as this would impress the pleat into the fabric. Instead, I remove pins as I press the fabric.
I repeat the process on all the pleats. Here's how the panel looks with pleats on top of it.
And this is how it looks with the pleats facing down.
If you're sewing views A or B, press the belt loops as well, making sure the fold lines of the pleats and belt loops form smooth straight lines. And don't remove the basting thread yet!
Zlata Sewalong - the posts
Tomorrow we'll sew pockets, and I'll show you two techniques for stabilizing fabric at the pocket opening.
Stay tuned!
- #1 Fabric recommendations
- #2 Print the pattern
- #3 Fitting alterations - grading the pattern
- #4 Fitting alterations for protruding rear
- #5 Cut the fabric
- #6 Sew the belt loops
- #7 Pleat the skirt
- #8 Sew the pockets
- #9 Assemble the skirt
- #10 Sew an invisible zipper
- #11 Sew a lapped zipper
- #12 Assemble the lining
- #13 Sew the button closure
- #14 Hem the skirt, method 1
- #15 Hem the skirt, method 2
- #16 Hem the skirt, method 3
- #17 Pattern alterations for various styles
How to buy the pattern
 |
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop.
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods: * PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com) * Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead. |
When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.
For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com.
Related posts
- Zlata skirt Pattern #1401
- Zlata skirt pattern - view A
- Zlata skirt pattern - view B
- Zlata skirt pattern - view C
- Zlata skirt pattern - the lining pattern
- Zlata skirt - testing the pattern, part 1
- Zlata skirt - testing the pattern, part 2
- Zlata skirt - testing the pattern, part 3
- Zlata skirt - testing the pattern, part 4
