Now that we have gone over the pleated option, let’s review the gathered waist option of the Kelly skirt! This is a new option with the updated version of the pattern, and personally, the gathers are my favourite! Let me show you!
First, set your machine to a long straight stitch length. Mine here is set to a stitch length of 5.
The squiggly line on the pattern piece indicates where to sew your gathering stitches. Make sure you mark on the front skirt pieces where this begins. you’ll notice that it is a little bit away from the placket lines.
Now you need to sew three sets of gather/basting stitches, as indicated with the three colours above. 1. From left skirt front starting notch to side seam, 2. from side seam to side seam on the back skirt, 3. side seam to right skirt front starting notch.
Stitch each sections row 5/8″ from the raw edge. You can stop at one row if you prefer, or you can then stitch a second row again 1/4″ from the raw edge for added stability when gathering.
Make sure you leave long thread tails at the beginning and end of each stitch.
Starting at one section, gently pull on the loose thread tails and use your fingers to gather the fabric as you go.
Repeat for each of the three sections…
Until the entire skirt is gathered to be slightly shorter than the length of your waistband. Don’t worry, you can do some final adjustments when you attach the waistband in the next post.
Next up, we’ll get started on the waistband and you’ll see your gathered, or pleated skirt come together!
LOOKING FOR MORE KELLY POSTS?
Here’s the full list of Kelly Tutorials:
- Sewalong: Pockets and Side Seams
- Sewalong: Placket
- Sewalong: Pleats
- Sewalong: Gathers (this post!)
- Sewalong: Waistband
- Sewalong: Elastic Back Waistband
- Sewalong: Buttonholes and Buttons
- Sewalong: Hem
- Hack: Closed Ruffle Tier Hem
DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?
