Burda Style For people who sew

Hi guys I need some advice on sewing pleats. I have tried to make the Marie skirt, but the pleats were very bulky. I pinned them down and then sewed on the right side of the fabric. Then there was lots of bulk at the back. I think I may have done this wrong.
Please what is the correct way to make pleats, do you have to trim the fabric at the back also.

Thanks in advance

Jun 29, 2009, 10.39 AM by aibby

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  Jun 30, 2009, 10.05 AMby julietta

  The pleats should be sewn on the left side of the fabric. Try ironing the pleats into position (at the Marie its towards the side seam) once you have sewn them. This might decrease the bulkyness. I usual baste all the pleats in place with a large stitch after I ironed them in place. I hope this helps.

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    Jul 1, 2009, 09.18 PMby aibby

    Hi thanks for that I will try to do it this way. So I sew them on wrong side of fabric is that right? Thanks

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  Jul 14, 2009, 11.01 AMby nehmah

  I hope this answer isn’t too late. If you mean for the basting, yes. Notice that she does this basting after she presses. Pressing sets the threads; you don’t want to do this with basting as the line might show up after the basting threads are removed. Cordially, Nehmah
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  Aug 10, 2009, 02.05 PMby ichigogirl

  Not sure this helps you out, but it might: http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/knife-pleat

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    Aug 10, 2009, 07.30 PMby aibby

    Thanks that is explained really well. Will have to try the skirt again using this technique.

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  Sep 17, 2010, 09.01 PMby learningnewtricks

  Just found your post on the Marie skirt. I have been in the process of making this skirt, and neded to make it smaller as my daughter lost weight. We first started with a size 46 waist, and she is now down to a 38" waist. So, I have tailored the skirt down in size several times, and also made different versions of the skirt. I found it’s much easier to just start over than have to keep tailoring it smaller. I have made some versions with pleats in the back, others without. I find it looks much better without the back pleats because they add unnecessary volume in the back. My daughter loves the pleated look in the back, but they make her look heavier — that is something she wants to avoid.

  I have made the pleats two differnt ways (sewn on the wrong side), one version was with edge stitching the pleats — made them flatter, and the other without. I also followed a sew along featured on the blog One Pearl Button http://www.onepearlbutton.com/search/label/OPB%20sew-a-long. I know my response to your question comes a year later, but I hope it helps when making your next Marie skirt.

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    Sep 18, 2010, 07.17 AMby aibby

    Thanks for response, I was actually thinking of making that skirt again, without pleats in back. Thnik they make the skirt too bulky also. Might even try it today. Thanks for the link too.