Front Pleat A-Line Maxi Skirt
A modern A-line maxi skirt pattern featuring a distinctive center front pleat, functional patch pockets with unique welt openings, and a comfortable high-rise waistband.
When To Wear
This versatile maxi skirt is perfect for a range of occasions, offering comfort and style:
- Everyday & Office Wear: Pair with a blouse or knit for a polished yet comfortable look.
- Weekend & Casual Outings: Dress down with a t-shirt and trainers for relaxed style.
- Transitional Seasons: Its length and fabric recommendations make it suitable for autumn through spring.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A flowing A-line shape, providing comfort and a flattering drape.
Length: Maxi length, falling gracefully to the ankle for an elegant profile.
Waist: High-rise design finished with a classic straight waistband for a defined waistline.
Front Detail: A prominent inverted pleat at the center front adds both visual interest and ease of movement.
Pockets: Two generously sized patch pockets on the front, each cleverly designed with a horizontal slit opening featuring a welt detail, combining style with practicality.
Closure: A concealed zipper closure is neatly integrated into the left side seam for a smooth finish.
Back: A clean back design featuring a functional center back vent (slit) to ensure comfortable movement.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern requires skills in constructing specific pocket types (welt openings on patch pockets), inserting a concealed zipper, attaching a waistband, and finishing a back vent.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dense suiting materials that hold their shape and provide good drape:
- Gabardine
- Heavy twill
- Suedette
- Other dense suiting fabrics
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Zipper
- 1 button
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- 1. Back Panel - 2 QTY
- 2. Front Panel - 1 QTY on fold
- 3. Waistband - 1 QTY
- 4. Patch Pocket - 2 QTY
- 5. Welt - 2 QTY
- 6. Facing - 2 QTY
- From fusible interfacing: reinforce waistband, welts, and facings with interfacing.
Sewing Instructions
- Reinforce the waistband, welts, and facings with fusible interfacing. (Heat-activated interfacings are pressed onto the wrong side of the fabric piece with a hot iron).
- Stitch darts on the front and back skirt halves, press them towards the center. Stitch the center back seam up to the vent, press seam allowances open.
- Process the welt pockets on the patch pockets: on the wrong side of the patch pockets, press a 4 cm wide strip of interfacing over the pocket marking. Press the welts in half lengthwise, right side out. Pin the welts along the marked pocket opening line from below, with the raw edge towards the marked line, and the facings from above, with the raw edge towards the marking. Stitch 1 cm from the line. Cut the patch pocket along the line between the stitching lines, and diagonally towards the ends of the stitching lines. Be careful not to damage the facings and welts! Press the seam allowances towards the pocket. Turn the welts to the wrong side to form a neat frame, and baste. From the right side of the trousers, stitch precisely into the seam of the welt attachment. Turn the small triangles at the ends of the cut to the wrong side and topstitch them onto the welt precisely from the ends of one stitching line to the ends of the other. Secure the free end of the pocket facings on the wrong side of the pocket.
- Press the seam allowance along the outer edges of the pockets to the wrong side, place them on the front panel, and topstitch.
- Press the pleat on the front panel, and topstitch it along the edge. Stitch the right side seam and the left side seam from the fastener mark downwards. Press seams open. Attach the zipper.
- Fold the waistband in half lengthwise and finish the ends and the seam allowance for the fastener. Attach the outer half of the waistband to the upper edge of the skirt, turn under the inner half and topstitch into the attachment seam. Make a buttonhole.
- Hem the skirt. Press the integrated vent facing (left back panel) along the fold line to the wrong side and sew it to the hem. Hem the longitudinal side of the vent allowance (right back panel) as narrowly as possible. Topstitch the left back panel diagonally at the top of the vent, catching the vent allowance.
