Pleats are classic. And used in a doll dress they can be classic cute.
They are also simple. There are also variations on the pleat theme. One pleat in the center, two pleats on the side, pleats in the front and back, lots of pleats...
This first tutorial is for a simple center pleat.
At the end of the email, I have included a form for requesting the pattern for this, which includes the bodice and skirt with a center pleat.
Start with making the bodice, which is made like the beginning of the reversible dress or dress with a bodice.
But do not sew up the side seams!
Next cut out the skirt. Mark the top and bottom of the skirt pleat basting line with a tiny cut (less than 1/8 of an inch)
Do not cut the pleat line, just make small snips at either end to mark it, or mark the ends with pencil.
Next you will make the center front pleat.
1. Fold the front skirt piece in half, with the right side in the fold, or wrong side out. Lightly iron.
2 and 3. Use very large basting stitches to stitch from the nick and the top of the skirt to the nick at the bottom.
4. Your skirt should look like this.
Click to enlarge
Next you want to iron the pleat and "set" it. or get it to stay. Use steam and the cotton setting. Press pleat from the back side as shown. Flip over, press some more.
When you feel like your pleat is stable, you can take out the basting stitches. Leave a few at the top to hold the pleat together while you stitch it to the bodice.
The last few steps will seem familiar.
1. Finish center edges of the skirt back pieces.
2. Sew skirt front and backs to their appropriate bodice pieces.
3. Press
4. Sew side seams and hem.
Click to enlarge.
I added some bias trim along the waist seam.
I have finished drawing the Phoebe pattern in Illustrator. I hope to have the other two done by the end of the weekend. Form for requesting the patterns is below.
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