Bell Skirt Tutorial

About

You Will Need (4 things)

Steps (6 steps, 90 minutes)

1. 1

   First cut out 2 rectangle-shaped pieces, both measuring about 28” x 36”.

2. 2

   Now make your pleats. I made one box pleat by creating a fold about 4 inches from the center and bringing it into the midline on both sides, then made two (2”) knife pleats roughly halfway between the center pleat and the edge of the fabric.
   Do this to both pieces of fabric, the front and the back of skirt. Of course your exact placement of pleats is up to you…play around with it and see what looks good!

3. 3

   Sew the pleats in place using a basting stitch, and then sew your side seams, right sides together. My fabric unraveled pretty easily so I made sure to serge all my edges.

4. 4

   Now, you’ll want to slit your back piece of fabric in the center about 6 or 7 inches down, depending on the length of your zipper. Don’t forget that your zipper will have to be attached to your wide elastic as well.

5. 5

   This is where you’ll want to try your skirt on and fit it to your natural waist. One of the great things about this skirt is its really high waist since it hides muffin top like nobody’s business. You’ll probably need to take your side seams in a bit unless you’re a sewing ninja and already made your pleats just the perfect width.

6. 6

   For the waistband: I decided that I wanted it fitted (not stretchy) to hold me in but I still liked the idea of the elastic to act almost like a girdle (it does!). So I folded the elastic in half widthwise (to find the center) and began pinning the center of it to the skirt at the front pleat, and continuing all the way around to the slit at the back, on both sides.
   I then installed the zipper (you can topstitch around the zipper if you like) and hemmed it right at the knee.

   Voila! A comfy, flattering full skirt!