Tulip Skirt with Draped Pleats and Waistband Tabs
Introducing a chic women's sewing pattern for a Tulip Skirt, distinguished by its elegantly draped front pleats, integrated front pockets, and stylish waistband tabs.
When To Wear
This versatile skirt is perfect for a range of settings, offering both comfort and sophistication:
- Professional Settings: Ideal for office wear, business meetings, or corporate events when paired with a blouse or blazer.
- Smart Casual Outings: Excellent for daytime events, brunches, or elevated everyday style.
- Semi-Formal Gatherings: Dress it up with an elegant top and accessories for dinners or social events.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A flattering tulip silhouette, gently fitted at the high waist, gracefully draping outwards before tapering towards the knee.
Waist: Features a wide, structured waistband with two decorative tabs fastened by buttons at the center front.
Draping: The front is defined by elegant, soft draped pleats originating from the center front seam, creating volume and movement.
Pockets: Practical and stylish integrated pockets are subtly concealed within the front draped pleats.
Closure: A hidden front fly zipper ensures a smooth and secure fit.
Back: A clean back panel with strategically placed darts provides a refined, contoured fit.
Length: Designed to fall around knee length for a classic and versatile look.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in constructing waistbands, installing a zipper fly, creating draped pleats, and finishing integrated pockets.
Fabric Recommendations
Select fabrics with good drape and some body to showcase the skirt's elegant pleats:
- Fabrics made from natural or blended fibers (e.g., satin, sateen, fine twill, crepe)
Additional Supplies
- Lining fabric
- Fusible interfacing
- 1 zipper
- 3 buttons
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- Front Right Panel – 1 QTY
- Front Left Panel – 1 QTY
- Back Panel – 2 QTY
- Back FACING – 2 QTY
- Left Panel FACING – 2 QTY
- Right Panel FACING – 2 QTY
- Pocket Trim – 2 QTY
- Fly – 1 QTY
- Fly Shield – 1 QTY
- SIDE PANEL – 2 QTY
- Waistband Trim – 2 QTY
- From LINING fabric:
- Large LINING – 2 QTY
- Small LINING – 2 QTY
- FROM FUSIBLE INTERFACING: Upper FACINGs of front and back panels, fly shield.
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse FUSIBLE INTERFACING to the FACINGs of the front and back panels, the fly, the fly shield, and the slit SEAM ALLOWANCES.
- Stitch darts on the back panel pieces, press the dart depths towards the center. Form pleats on the front panel and secure them along the upper edge. Stitch the dart 8 cm from the upper edge. Distribute the dart depth to both sides, creating inverted pleats. Topstitch 0.2 cm from the dart stitching line on both sides.
- Place the pocket trim right side up onto the right side of the front panel, then place the large pocket bag on top and stitch. Fold the trim's SEAM ALLOWANCE inwards and topstitch. Turn the pocket bag to the wrong side and press. Stitch the SIDE PANEL to the small pocket bag. Overlock the SEAM ALLOWANCE and press it towards the LINING. Stitch the small and large pocket bags together.
- Attach the fly to the right panel. Stitch the center front seam of the front panels, starting the stitch at the edge of the fly, overlock the edge and press it to the left side. Press the fly to the wrong side. Align the ZIPPER with the center seam of the left half and stitch. Attach the free ZIPPER tape to the fly of the right half. Fold the fly shield in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and stitch the longitudinal and short bottom edges. Overlock the open edges of the fly shield. Attach the fly shield to the ZIPPER attachment seam of the left half. Place a bartack at the end of the closure on the right side of the skirt. On the wrong side, connect the bottom ends of the fly and the fly shield. Topstitch along the marked line on the right panel.
- Overlock the center seams of the back panel separately on each piece, simultaneously overlocking the slit. Stitch the center seam from the top to the edge of the slit. Press the SEAM ALLOWANCES towards the left side seam. Press the right side of the slit by 1 cm and topstitch. Secure the slit SEAM ALLOWANCES with machine stitching from the right side.
- Stitch the side seams. Press the SEAM ALLOWANCES towards the back panel and overlock.
- Fold the belt loop piece in half lengthwise and press. Fold the edges inwards and stitch 2 parallel lines 0.1 cm from the edge. Cut the belt loops. Mark the placement of the belt loops and attach them to the upper edge of the skirt.
- Stitch the side seams of the FACINGs, press the SEAM ALLOWANCES open. Overlock the bottom edge of the inner FACING. Stitch the corners and the upper edge of the FACINGs. Attach the outer FACING to the skirt. Press the SEAM ALLOWANCE towards the FACING. Stitch in the ditch of the FACING attachment seam, simultaneously securing the inner part. Topstitch 0.5 cm from the upper and lower edges of the FACINGs. Fold the belt loops, fold the SEAM ALLOWANCE, and topstitch.
- Fold the trim pieces right sides together and stitch, leaving an opening. Trim the SEAM ALLOWANCES, turn right side out and press, sew the opening closed. Topstitch 0.5 cm from the edge of the trim. Overlock the buttonholes on the waistband trim.
- Overlock the bottom edge of the skirt, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Overlock the buttonhole on the skirt and sew on the buttons.
- Thread the waistband trim through the belt loops and fasten the buttons.
