While this task can be done successfully, hemming a pleated school skirt or kilt has the potential to become a difficult task due to the forced folds of the fabric. If you have a moderate amount of sewing skill and experience, you can take a pleated school skirt or kilt to new heights.
In this post
How do you make a pleated skirt shorter?
Gently apply heat onto the damp cloth with an iron, pressing the fabric for a few seconds before lifting and moving onto another section. Try not to push the iron around on top of the fabric, just pressing it down is fine. Pin the hem to your desired length and sew.
Are pleated skirts hard to sew?
It’s surprisingly easy to make a basic pleated skirt. You don’t need a pattern – you just need some measurements. And the great thing is, you’ll just be cutting your fabric in rectangles, so there’s nothing complicated about it!
What do you do if your skirt is too long?
You can shorten a dress permanently by machine or hand sewing a new hem, using hem tape, or applying fabric glue. You can also temporarily make a dress shorter by pinning up a hem with safety pins, knotting loose fabric in the skirt, or using a belt to hold up the excess material.
What fabric is best for pleated skirts?
Lightweight 100%cotton is the best (in my opinion), but some types of silk and wool fabric work as well. Also, choose the proper length of the skirt. Box pleated skirts look good usually if they are longer than the upper part of your body (from the waist up), the usual length is a knee-length or below the knee.
Can you alter a pleated dress?
I tell my friends they should all learn how to do quick alterations on their clothes so that it fits them better, instead of putting an item of clothing back in the rack in disappointment. Pleats are one of the easiest to alter, so don’t get intimidated!
How much does it cost to hem a pleated dress?
So how much does it cost to tailor a dress? You can expect to pay $15 to $200. They’re relatively inexpensive compared to going out and buying a new dress. Alterations are particularly good for individuals who prefer sustainable fashion.
How do you hem a skirt by yourself?
Instructions
- Plan the Hem. Start with a skirt (or dress) that has an unfinished hem.
- Measure and Mark the Hem. Rather than measuring the fabric from the waist down, use a yardstick to measure from the floor up.
- Mark the Cutting Line. Remove the skirt.
- Attach Ribbon to the Raw Edge.
- Press and Pin up the Hem.
- Hand Sew the Hem.
Can dry cleaners restore pleats?
Your best bet is the dry cleaners if you’ve spilled on your skirt. Not only can they remove the spill, but they can also restore your pleats, so you don’t have to waste time ironing. Just remember to remove your pleated skirt from the dry cleaner’s bag and hang it on a proper hanger.
What fabric holds pleats well?
Fabrics such as cotton, wool or silk will hold pleats when pressed. Synthetic fabrics require more work to hold pleats in place. In addition, the weight of your selected fabric is also a factor. Finer fabrics, such as handkerchief linen are best for narrow pleats where bulk is not an issue.
How much fabric is needed for a pleated skirt?
You are going to need a length of fabric 12 – 26 inches wide and 3 – 5 yards long. The width of the fabric is going to correspond to how long the skirt is, and the length is going to correspond with the parts of the skirt that disappears into pleats, and wrap around you.
What is the difference between a knife pleat and a box pleat?
Box pleats are made up of two (usually wide) knife pleats facing away from each other. The inside folds of this kind of pleat don’t necessarily always meet and they are often used as stand alone pleats, as in the skirt of our Flora Dress. Inverted box pleats are a standard box pleat but in reverse!
How long should my skirt be for my height?
Best skirt length for average height women
For an average height lady, knee-length A-Lines are the best option. They offer the perfect balance between skirt and leg.
How long are pleated skirts?
After you have your measurements, cut the fabric so that it is 3 times the size of your waist. It should also be 2″ (5 cm) longer than you want the finished skirt to be.
How wide should my pleats be?
Divide your waist measurement by the desired number of pleat. pleat width (25 waist/10 pleats = 2.5”) and you get the finished pleat width for each box pleat. Since each pleat takes 3 times its width in fabric, multiple your waist measurement by 3: 25 x 3 = 75 (the fabric you need to make ten 2.5”-wide box pleats).