Pin It

(12) print

Pintucks instead of gathers add fullness but not a lot of volume.

I pieced the band on my skirt from four compatible prints before a sewed the tucks.

Mark the vertical tuck lines and a horizontal line to indicate where to stop stitching on the right side of the fabric.

Pintucks instead of gathers add fullness but not a lot of volume.

The hem on this skirt may look like pleats, but the effect is made with pintucks. Sewing the pintucks takes a little more time, but I love the effect. To make this skirt you can start with a straight or A-line skirt pattern and cut it so the lower edge (before adding the ruffle) ends above the knee. This keeps the skirt flat over the tummy and the hips and still allows for walking room. Then make the ruffle section as deep as you like for added length and fullness. The finished ruffle on my skirt is just shy of 9 inches, about 1/3 the total length of the skirt, which is a good balanced proportion. To add interest at the hemline, I stop the tucks a few inches from the hemline and that's what really gives it the ruffled look.

I pieced the band on my skirt from four compatible prints before a sewed the tucks.

Fabric I've used silk jersey and wool jersey for this technique and it works beautifully with knits. But for the skirt in this post I used "quilter's cotton." It's the perfect fabric for easy summer garments and the prints are so irresistible. (Check out my article on using quilting fabrics for garments in the SewStylish Spring 2011 issue, "Quilt-Fabric Fashion," if you want to learn more.)

Step-by-Step I'll talk about how to determine the length of the band in a moment, but first let's go over the process.

1. Cut the band the width desired plus a seam allowance at the top and a narrow hem allowance at the bottom. Keep in mind: If you cut the band across the width of the fabric, you'll need to seam 2 or more sections together to form a continuous strip and this is the way you should cut a knit in order for the stretch to be horizontal and not vertical. You can cut one long strip along the lengthwise grain for most wovens – but this generally takes a lot more fabric.

2. Mark the placement for the tucks on the right side of the fabric with an erasable marker. First draw a horizontal line 3 to 4-inches up from the hemline. Draw vertical lines for each tuck connecting the top edge of the band to the horizontal line.

Mark the vertical tuck lines on the right side of the fabric and, to indicate where to stop stitching each tuck, mark a horizontal line across the lower edge of the band about 3 to 4-in. from the bottom.

Threads Magazine Subscription

$32.95

View all Books & DVDs

Mary Ray, contributor
Posted on May 31st, 2011 in sewing, design, garment construction, how-to, skirts, pintucks

Pin It

(12) print

Comments (12)

MaryRay writes: Thanks Laurie,

Yes. Fat quarters are actually half of a half yard, so you get more of a square piece instead of the long narrow piece you get when you purchase a 1/4 yd. of fabric. It's a great way to indulge in a lot of beautiful pieces. And it's so much fun to mix and match. Quilt shops sell bundles of even smaller pieces, too.

Mary
Posted: 3:25 pm on June 8th

LaurieDiane writes: I love ....LOVE this! I really like the soft unpleated little bottom hem of the skirt also. Really softens the shape. I am in love with quilters fabric and do not quilt but would be wonderful to make a skirt with all the beautiful fabric choices out there , especially for summer. Thanks so much and I am off to buy this latest issue of Sew Stylish Spring 2011!
....And what do they call them, fat quarters??? :)
Posted: 11:38 am on June 8th

Sewista writes: This is brilliant. I can't wait to use this technique on a child's garment. Fabulous!
Posted: 7:07 am on June 3rd

onyx107 writes: Congratulations to Mary. While the rest of us look on, please continue to give us more creative ideas. Mary, you plant your ideas and hopefully the rest of us will help our own to grow. This skirt is really beautiful. I have something in mind that I think I'm going to make. Ideas are like flowers, you plant them, nourish them and watch them grow into something really beautiful. Congratulations once again, Mary. You did a wonderful job.
Posted: 7:46 am on June 2nd

ichefdiane writes: Fabulous technique. Right now I am working on slip covers and this will look great and use less fabric. Thank you for sharing.
Posted: 10:26 am on June 1st

BarbaraSki writes: I'm planning on making a few cotton skirts for summer and I will definitely use this on one of them. Once again, Mary Ray shows her creativity and just plain cool ideas!
Posted: 9:43 am on June 1st

lauraflo writes: Beautiful! And just think, one would not have to iron-to re-set pleats-after washing, since the pin tucks will hold their own. I love the pieced fabrics.
Posted: 8:48 am on June 1st

clothingeng writes: Love this idea! I would agree with edogirl and hem before sewing the tucks.
-cheryl
Posted: 8:28 am on June 1st

smockerlady writes: Hi there Mary,

I hate the "maths" part too!!

Can you tell me what size did you allow for each pintuck?
Would you confirm then the formula for working out how much fabric is required for the pintuck section of the skirt.

Lovely finish and looking forward to trying it out.
Posted: 12:30 am on June 1st

smockerlady writes: H
Posted: 12:28 am on June 1st

edogirl writes: Having done similar treatments, I would suggest that you hem the piece to be attached before sewing the tucks, leaving unfinished a few inches at either end for making a clean join. Then just finish hemming that little bit. It is easier and faster to hem and press a long straight pieces with no gathers/tucks. Happy sewing, e-girl
Posted: 8:40 pm on May 31st

tissy writes: Love it. I was starting a skirt tomorrow and this will be added, for sure! I love the colorful band on the sample skirt. I think this will be great on skirts for my granddaughtgers, also. Thanks, Mary.
Posted: 7:58 pm on May 31st

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.