The pattern today is the Gabby front pleated midi skirt – inspired by a design by Dolce & Gabbana. It features a midi length, high waist detail with front box pleat, and a flattering flared silhouette. It is quite a simple project to try, and will not take you too much time to get the finished item.
The Gabby skirt pattern is also an easy item to hack. If you want a different length, simply extend or shorten the hem. I have seen similar designs to this skirt like a maxi skirt made of soft flowy fabric, or a mini skirt made of denim or wool. Just let your imagination take over and you will be surprise at how versatile this pattern can be.
As usual, my pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL so you may find a suitable size for yourself. If you are not sure which size suits you, take a look at the measurement table before doing anything here: SIZE GUIDE.
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.
My patterns are now made in both A4/Letter paper and A0 paper format so you can print at home or at any print shop!
For home printers, you can print this using your home printer and either A4 or Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is made for woven fabric.
- Some fusible interfacing
- Zipper for closure at back
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? This garment is not going to need a lot of fabric. To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this:
You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern piece. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.
The fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Front: cut 1 on the fold
- Back: cut 2
- Front Waistband: cut 2 self fabric + 2 fusible interfacing
- Back Waistband: cut 4 self fabric + 4 fusible interfacing
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, pin the pattern pieces to the fabric to secure them in place. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the fabric pieces along the outer lines of the pattern. Take your time to ensure precise and clean cuts, as this will affect the fit and overall appearance of your garment.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge/zig zag stitch the edges of the fabric pieces to prevent fabric from unraveling.
2. Apply fusible interfacing to the corresponding pieces.
3. Take a pair of Waist Tie pieces, place them right side facing. Pin and sew around leaving the short straight edge. Trim and clip the curve tip, turn the Waist Tie inside out, press to flatten. Do it with the other pair of Waist Tie pieces.
4. With the right sides together, fold the skirt at center front so that the pleat lines meet. Stitch the pleat from the upper edge to the mark on the center front and baste below the mark. Lay the pleat flat on the surface, distribute the folds evenly between two sides and press. Baste the pleat folds to the upper skirt edge.
5. Stitch the front and back darts, press toward the side.
6. Place Front Skirt and Back Skirt right side facing. Pin and sew the side seams.
7. Place the Front Waistband and Back Waistband pieces right side facing. Pin and sew the side seams. You get two waistband units (inside and outside).
8. Place two waistband units right side facing. Pin and sew the upper edge of the waistband. Turn the waistband over, staystitch the seam allowance toward the inside waistband unit.
9. Sew the invisible zipper to the center back. You can see some tips on sewing invisible zippers here.
10. Fold the inside waistband unit and use stitch-in-the-ditch technique or hand stitch to finish the waistband of the skirt.
11. Press the hem allowances to the inside and hand stitch or use blind hem stitch to finish the hem.
And here is the download link:
GABBY FRONT PLEATED MIDI SKIRT (SIZE XXS-5XL) A4/LETTER PAPER
GABBY FRONT PLEATED MIDI SKIRT (SIZE XXS-5XL) A0 PAPER
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device.
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
