Box-pleated Skirt Directions
1. MEASURE – Bed Height for skirt panels
Measure the height from the floor to the top of the box spring.
Subtract 1" from the height for the skirt to float off the floor. This measurement is the "finished height" needed for the skirt.
Add 2" for seam allowances on "Face" fabric height – use this height for FACE below. The finished height is used for the "Denim Backing" fabric height – use this height for BACK below.
2. FABRIC NEEDED – Based on 54" width/12" skirt height
Decking* FACE BACK(denim or lining)
Twin 1 1/2 yards 2 yards 1 2/3 yards
Full 1 1/2 yards 2 1/3 yards 2 yards
Queen 3 1/3 yards 2 1/3 yards 2 yards
King 4 1/2 yards 2 3/4 yards 2 1/3 yards
*Note – decking can be made using a flat sheet. If using fabric,
sew two panels of 54" together for size indicated on Queen & King.
3A. CUT – Decking for Skirt – CUT ONE
Twin Full Queen King
39" X 76 1/2" 55" X 76 1/2" 61" X 81 1/2" 80" X 81 1/2"
Place on box spring and mark the radius of each corner at the foot of the bed onto the decking with chalk. Note that the decking will have 1" extra at the head, and 1/2" extra on each side and foot of the bed for seam allowance and finishing.
TRIM radius marked.
3B. CUT – Face Fabric and Denim Backing
Twin FACE Full FACE Queen FACE King FACE
Cut 4-54" X face 5-54" X face 5-54" X face 6-54" X face
Cut 1-36" X face 1-24" X face 1-48" X face 1-45" X face
Twin BACK Full BACK Queen BACK King BACK
Cut 4-54" X back 5-54" X back 5-54" X back 6-54" X back
Cut 1-36" X back 1-24" X back 1-48" X back 1-45" X back
All of the 54" lengths are the full width of the fabric. The last panel shown is an approximate length to finish the skirt. You may want to wait and cut this panel after the others have been basted in place. This length will depend upon the size of the pleats made around the skirt.
Example – for a 12" skirt (from top of box spring to floor measures 13") – the FACE width is 14"and the BACK width is 12".
4. SEW PANELS
Sew one Face panel to one Back panel, right sides together, along the bottom of the 54" side with 1/2" seam allowance. With right sides still together, match the top seam allowance (the opposite 54" side), pin. Sew the side seams with 1/2" seam allowance. Turn right side out, and press. This will create a panel with a 1" return of face fabric on the bottom of the skirt.
Sew each 54" set of panels together in the same manner.
Fold back 1/2" at the head of the decking fabric, fold back another 1/2" and sew to create a hem.
5. MAKE PLEATS FOR SKIRT
Depending upon the bed size, the side pleat size will be:
Twin – 4 1/8" Queen – 4"
Full – 4 1/8" King – 4"
The pleat size for the foot of the bed will be:
Twin – 4 3/8" Queen – 4 3/16"
Full – 4 1/16" King – 4 1/8"
These are approximate sizes to fit equal sized pleats into each side.
With a fabric marker or chalk, mark these measurements onto the decking fabric in the 1/2" seam allowance around the sides and foot of the skirt. This will assist in the alignment of the pleats as they are basted and sewn to the decking. One pleat marking should be marked at each corner in the center of the radius.
On the ironing board, use a tape measure or hem ruler, to measure a side pleat (either 4 1/8" or 4") from the finished edge of one 54" panel. Fold the fabric with the FACE fabric out. Press this fold. Measure 1 1/8" from the fold; press with the FACE fabric together. Measure 2 1/4" from the last fold; press with the FACE fabric together. Measure 1 1/8" from the last fold; press with the FACE fabric OUT. This completes ONE pleat. To hold the pleat as it was pressed, either use a basting gun OR a desk stapler. Keep baste marks within the 1/2" seam allowance. (NOTE – for softer, rolled pleats, only press the top 1" of the skirt for each pleat.)
Repeat this entire step for each pleat, measuring the next side pleat from the last fold of the previous pleat. Each 54" panel will make approximately 6 pleats. As the last pleat is made, the excess will be trimmed from the 54" panel. The location to trim is at either folded corner of the 2 1/4" back panels (where the face fabric is pressed together.) Mark finished corner, add 1/2" for seam allowance. Trim, turn right sides together and sew 1/2" seam allowance to finish. Turn right sides out and press edge. Mark the order for the panels to be attached to the deck.
To begin the next 54" panel, measure from the corner of the previous panel to begin pleating the next panel. Repeat the steps above starting at the previous panel's corner for next 54" panel. Continue until all the 54" panels are pleated, matched and marked for the skirt.
Beginning at the head of the bed, place the pleated skirt right sides together with the decking. Pin in place. Measure and pleat enough fabric for the last panel to complete the skirt. Pleat as the 54" panels and attach to the decking.
6. COMPLETE
With all of the panels pinned to the decking, start at the head of the bed and sew 1/2" seam allowance around the entire skirt. The skirt is now complete and ready to be placed on your bed. The decking can be attached to the box spring with pins to prevent it from shifting when making the bed.
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