NEKOBARA PRESENTS
Sewing Magic: Create Your Own Sailor Moon Skirt
INTRODUCTION
Every magical girl needs the perfect pleated skirt, and today, we’re bringing that dream to life! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk through the process of creating a stunning Sailor Moon skirt, from mock-up pleating to adding the signature white waistband.
The series revolutionized the magical girl genre, inspiring generations with its themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery. With its vibrant characters, memorable transformations, and timeless story, Sailor Moon remains a beloved classic worldwide
Sailor Moon is one of the most iconic anime and manga series of all time. Created by Naoko Takeuchi in 1991, it follows Usagi Tsukino, a regular girl who transforms into the magical warrior Sailor Moon. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians, she battles dark forces, discovers her royal past, and fights for love and justice.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cosplayer, this tutorial will help you craft a skirt worthy of the Moon Kingdom. Grab your materials, and let’s get started!
Want to find out more about this super sugoi anime, see the two handy links below.
The Magical Crafting Essentials: Tools for Every Sailor Guardian
You will need the following :
- Orange linen fabric
- Spandex fabric (38cm)
- Sharp scissors
- Orange and white sewing thread (same colour of bobbins)
- Measuring tape
- Mock-up fabrics (scrap fabric)
- Pins
We have some handy links at the end of the tutorial on where you can source the materials locally in South Africa.
Step 1
Moon Prism Pleating Power!
Pleating the skirt
When pleating, it’s best to start with mock-up fabrics. Practicing with these will help you perfect your design before working with your final fabric.
Step 1.1:
To begin, use your thumb and index finger on both hands to lift the fabric. Gently fold it over to create the pleat, then press your finger onto the spot where you want to pin it in place.
Step 1.2:
Once you’ve formed your pleats and pinned them in place, you’re ready to sew them together. To make sewing easier, trim off any excess fabric, leaving about 2 cm of material above the pins.
Step 1.3:
Start sewing the skirt slowly, removing the pins as you go to keep the fabric smooth and even.
Step 2
Stitching with the Power of the Moon!
Sewing the skirt together
Step 2.1:
Fold one side of the fabric toward the center, aligning it with the midpoint of its full length—rather than folding it corner to corner. Secure it with pins to prevent shifting while cutting. Then, cut along the edge where the folded section meets the remaining fabric. Discard the unfolded portion, as we’ll be using the folded piece. This piece should measure exactly 222 cm in length.
Step 2.2:
You’re now ready to start pleating! Gather all your pins and lay the open fabric flat on the floor to begin.
Step 2.3:
Start pleating using the same method practiced with the mock-up, securing each pleat with pins as you go. Make exactly three rows—top, middle, and bottom. The top row marks the trimming area, the middle row is for sewing, and the bottom row will shape the skirt.
Step 2.4:
Once the skirt has been pleated and trimmed, carefully bring it to your sewing machine. Sew the pleats together using the same technique you practiced on your mock-up skirt.
STEP 3
Trimming for a Magical Transformation!
Cutting excess fabric and shaping the skirt
Step 3.1:
Trimming the Excess Fabric
Once you’ve finished sewing the skirt, you’ll notice it resembles an orange flower, with excess fabric bunching up at the top. Don’t worry—this is normal! Grab a pair of sharp scissors and carefully trim the excess. Press the fabric onto the mannequin and cut in a vertical line, as shown in picture 3.1, to create a clean and even finish.
Step 3.2:
Adding the Seams
Now that the excess fabric is trimmed, it’s time to add the seams. Fold the bottom of the skirt neatly and place pins along the seam lines to hold everything in place. This step will give the skirt a polished and professional look. Once pinned, sew along the seams to secure them.
STEP 4
The Guardian’s Signature Touch!
Adding the white waistband
Step 4.1:
Adding the White Trim to the Sailor Moon Skirt
Now it’s time to add the iconic white trim using Spandex fabric.
Start by folding the Spandex vertically and pinning each section to keep it in place. Then, cut the fabric into four even rows, ensuring clean and precise edges for a polished finish
Step 4.2:
Attaching the Spandex Material
Now, we’re going to add the Spandex material to the top part of the skirt. Take each row of Spandex and fold it neatly over the top edge of the skirt. Once positioned correctly, pin it securely in place to ensure it stays aligned before sewing.
Step 4.3:
Sewing the Spandex Trim
Carefully place the skirt into the sewing machine and begin sewing the Spandex trim in place. Remember to remove each pin as you sew to keep the fabric smooth and even. Take your time to ensure a clean, professional finish.
Step 4.4:
Finished Item
This is how the skirt should look once you’ve completed the white waist section—neatly sewn with a smooth and even finish, ready for the final touches!
Final Step
Your Cosmic Skirt is Complete!
Finishing the seams and closing the skirt
Adding Seams to the Skirt’s Ends
Once you’ve completed the skirt’s waist section, add pins to both ends of the skirt. This step will help create clean seams, giving the skirt a polished look and making it easier to close.
Final Step: Closing the Skirt
Bring both seams together and sew them securely to complete the skirt. With this final touch, your Sailor Moon skirt is officially finished!
Congratulations, you’re now a true Sailor Moon soldier
Thank you all for reading this article! In the next one, we’ll be making the three adorable bows and the iconic Sailor Moon collar. Stay tuned, and see you next time!
Here are the links to Create the Sailor Moon Cosplay
- White Bodysuit (Mr Price)
- White Ribbon (Any local crafting store or Home Hyper City)
- Orange Table cloth (Any local stores or Takealot)
We hope you have enjoyed this tutorial as much as I enjoyed making it. Please give us feedback if you would like us to make more in this Sailor Moon series and if you found the tutorial was useful please share it on your favourite social media. Nekobara