Box Pleat Midi Skirt - Tutorial

After a few requests on how to make the midi skirt I created a couple of weeks ago - here's the tutorial! I hope you enjoy and find useful. (Please bear in mind this is just how I did it - no doubt there's a more efficient way!) If you want a full pleated skirt tutorial click here!

You will need:

• Main fabric
• Lining fabric (optional)
• Interfacing
• Zip

Step 1

You're going to need 2 giant pieces of main fabric. The width is not an exact science. My floral one was 125 cm and this one - I was restricted by the print direction - was 105 cm. The length will be how long you want your skirt - waist to knee measurement. If you are lining the skirt - cut 2 rectangles exactly the same in your lining fabric.

You will also need 2 strips for the waist band (1 is the outer waistband, 1 will be the facing). This is 9cm wide and waist measurement + 3cm long (3cm = 1.5cm each side seam allowance). If you feel the need - interface the main waistband piece for stability.

If you're after some pockets - trace some rough pocket shapes (or use another pattern to copy) and cut 4 pieces.

Step 2

To the folding! Find the centre point of your fabric and mark across the top edge. Using this centre point you need to mark 10cm increments. The first increment will span the centre point - so 5 cm either side of it. Mark those points 1. Continue each side to mark 3 more at 10 cm intervals; 2,3, 4.

To create the pleat, fold point 2 to meet point 1 and pin. Fold point 3 to point 4 and pin - on both sides. Press in the pleat and baste across the top of the fabric. Repeat this with the lining fabric.

Step 3

If you don't want pockets, you don't need to follow this next step as you're zip can just go up a side seam. HOWEVER if you want pockets - you can't have the zip and the side, it needs to go in the back. Take one of your main fabric pieces and cut in half, up the centre line to create 2 back pieces. Repeat with the lining.

Step 4

Shape the skirt. The front piece needs to be calculated at : (waist measurement/2) + 3cm seam allowance.

In the example the waist measurement is 74cm.  (74/2) + 3 = 40cm.

Using the centre point for equilibrium - mark that measurement across the top. e.g 40cm - with 20cm either side of the centre point.

Draw a curve from the end point of the new measurement, down to the outer edge of the skirt - making it more skirt like! Repeat with the lining.

For the back pieces - use this calculation: (waist measurement/4) + 3cm

e.g (74/4)+3 = 21.5cm

Again, using the centre line (now where you cut in half), mark that measurement and again draw a curve down to the bottom outer skirt. Repeat for the lining. Cut!

Step 5

Measure 10cm down the side seam and lay out your pocket pieces, right sides facing on both the front main fabric, and back main fabric pieces. Stitch about 3mm in.

Turn the pockets outwards, place your skirt pieces right sides together and sew up the side seams going all around the pockets.

If you are doing a lining - just place right sides of lining together and join up the side seams.

You now have a giant skirt piece!

Step 6

Attach the waistband to the main fabric skirt piece - do the same with the waistband facing and lining.

Main fabric with waistband

Lining fabric with waistband

Step 7

Insert the zip into the main fabric skirt piece. I have a tutorial on how to do a concealed zip here if you need it. Then close up the skirt by finishing the rest of that seam! Press it.

Step 8

Nearly there.....

Take the lining piece and drop the main fabric skirt piece inside it - lining up the seams. Pin around the top of the waistband and facing AND down the edge of the rear of the zip tape. Stitch all the way around. If you flip everything right sides out now it should all be neatly finished and encased. Finish closing the lining back seam up to the zip tape - you might need to hand stitch bits of this if there are gaps. Give everything a good press.

pin all way and down the back of zip tape to sew in lining

turn right side out and press waistband

close the lining back seam up to end of zip

To keep the facing and waistband from riding up, stitch in the ditch around the waistband to hold it together with the facing on other side. (I didn't do this as the skirt if for a friend - left it open in case any adjustments needed to be made!

Step 9

Hem it all and give it a final press!! Put it on, open the wine, kettle on - enjoy.

I hope this is of use to you - if you use the tutorial I'd love to see some pics of what you made - do email me any pictures and details :) OR we could get all modern on Instagram with #craftyclydemidiskirt ;-)

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