Pleated Square Tunic || Free PDF Pattern

I am sewing up some fall pieces for my kids, and today I am sharing a free PDF pattern for a quick little top that I whipped up for Abbey. It’s a play off the Square Neck Top I made as part of the summer wardrobe.  Only changes I made was pleating the skirt piece to the bodice and I added a sleeve.

I also dropped the back neckline lower and skipped the button. I did this so it could slip right on over the head. Super easy.

I used a cotton that Abbey picked out from Joann Fabric for the main part and then since it’s for fall I used a faux leather for the bottom band and sleeve bands. It offers a nice contrast and I love the way it looks in the sun.

Get the Free Pattern Here:Pleated Square Tunic Free PDF Pattern  (want a full size range buy the pattern here)

You will need

3/4 yard main fabric

1/4 yard for trim

The Pattern is in the size 5/6 (roughly for a 26″ chest but it is a loose fit) (for 12m-8Y buy the pattern here)

Sewn with a 3/8″ Seam Allowance.

As always with my patterns you are free to sell anything you make from the patterns but you may not sell or copy the pattern pieces or instructions and you may NOT use any of my photos. Thanks!

For the bodice, sew the front and back together at the shoulders. You will repeat this for the lining as well.

Press the shoulder seam open flat. Again repeat for the lining.

With right sides together match up the main and lining pieces. Sew all along the square neck opening.

Clip into each of the 4 corners without clipping through your stitches.

Turn the lining around to the inside and press well.

Now with right sides together sew one skirt piece to the front bodice. To do this you will need to add pleats to the skirt piece. The pleats are marked on the skit piece, you will be creating box pleats. (for more help on box pleats check here) The top edge of the skirt piece will fit the width of the bodice edge. Finish seam as desired. (need help on seam finishing, check here)

Press the seam upward. Repeat the pleating and sewing with the back skirt piece to the back of the bodice. Finish the seam and press seam upward.

For the sleeves. Take the sleeve band and fold it in half height wise. Then with right sides together place the raw edges of the folded band together with the bottom edge of the sleeve. Sew along the edge. Finish seam as desired.

Press the seam towards the sleeve. Repeat with other sleeve.

With right sides together sew the sleeve in place to the arm curve. Match up the center sleeve with the shoulder seam and ease the sleeve into place. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other sleeve.

With right sides together sew the top of the skirt band to the bottom of the skirt piece. Finish seam as desired. Repeat for back.

With right sides together match up the sleeve, and front and back. Then sew from the sleeve edge to the armpit pivot and sew down the side. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other side.

Now I used a faux leather and left the bottom un-hemmed. However you can hem the bottom by turning the bottom edge under twice and and sewing in place to secure.

Easy enough right? In no time at all your little one will be dancing around in her new top, because one it is seriously quick and two it makes them incredibly happy.

I love the pleated bodice, and the square neck. Now I have to make a few more… maybe even with a gathered skirt.

I think I may even add inseam pockets to the next one because all kids love pockets.

Pattern || Free PDF Pattern

Fabric || Gold Hearts || Faux Leather Suede Cloth ||Joann Fabric

Jeggings || GAP

Fox Shoes || Old Navy (obviously a while ago 😉