Off to a good start today... The shorts are almost finished... and I added some pretty sweet box pleats to them... I think they're going to be so cute! Can't wait to have my daughter try them on...
Here is how I added the box pleats...
First decide where you want the pleat... (I chose the center of the leg) Divide your pattern where the pleat will be added...
Then, making sure your gap is consistent all the down tape paper to extend the pattern piece... the width can be what ever you want, it just depends on how much fullness you want to add... I added 3inches...
Then fold your pattern piece back to it's original shape...
Cut off excess above the pattern...
Doing that gives your extension piece it's proper shape...
To keep it looking consistent, I also followed the same steps to alter the back piece... making sure that the pleat started in the same spot... (To do this I just measured in from the hip... making sure it was the same as the front)
Be sure to notch where your pleat starts and ends....
Now the construction... Fold in half(right side to right side)... matching your notches...
Measure 2inches down and pin...
Line up your ruler with the notch making sure you have it even along the fold... Draw a line down to the pin...
Since the pleat is wider than the machine seam guides... the line you just traced will be your guide... Just follow it down, and make sure to back stitch when you get to the pin... Pleats should always be reinforced...
Mark the center of the fold with a pin...
Open up your fold... and line up your seam with the pin...(center of your previous fold) opening up the fold and creating a new fold on ether side of the seam...
Press seam...
A prefect box pleat... This is different than a regular pleat because the fold is opened up... where as with a regular pleat the fold is press to one side...
I always stitch across the top to hold the folds in place...
This is how the back side of you pleat should look...
If any fabric sticks out over the top of the original pattern piece... you can trim it off...
So, tomorrow I will finish the waist band facing... and put in the zipper... hopefully I can start on the top too!
Happy Sewing!
***Jennifer
To keep it looking consistent, I also followed the same steps to alter the back piece... making sure that the pleat started in the same spot... (To do this I just measured in from the hip... making sure it was the same as the front) 
Be sure to notch where your pleat starts and ends.... 
Line up your ruler with the notch making sure you have it even along the fold... Draw a line down to the pin... 
Love this tutorial! Shorts are looking great, well done! - Stef
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was hard to keep my daughter still... but if you would like to see them on her... I captured the moment here...
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