No-Sew Box Pleat Sink Skirt {Tutorial}

Although I did a lot of work cleaning up the craft room, the most remarkable change was the box pleat skirt I made to conceal the under counter storage.  I got the idea from my recent box pleat crib skirt project.  Previously the open space under the counter to the left of the sink was an eyesore filled with unpacked moving boxes where I keep some gift wrapping and scrapbook supplies.  Currently the under counter storage is still filled with unsightly moving boxes hidden behind a cute skirt :)

This was a no-sew project and only took 15 minutes to complete.   I used an extra white curtain panel I had in the linen closet.  The panel was from Target and cost less than $20.  I measured the height of the open space from the floor to the underside of the counter.  I added 1/2″ for a hem.  I cut off the bottom portion of the curtain panel to equal that measurement (approx. 34″ for me).  The bottom hem of the curtain panel became the bottom hem of my sink skirt.

I also measured the width of my open space where the skirt would hang.  It was 30″ wide.  My curtain panel was 42″ wide, therefore I had 12″ to work with to make the box pleat in the center.  I chose to use Heat N Bond fusible hem tape to create the box pleat.  At the top center of the curtain panel I ironed on a 6 inch strip of the Heat N Bond.  Then I removed the paper backing and folded the fabric from the edges of the Heat N Bond strip in toward the center.  I fused the 3″ fold on each side.  Then I added a 3 inch strip of Heat N Bond under each fold and fused the fabric fold back.  That all probably sounds very confusing, so I created a simple diagram to show how I did it.

I used hem tape to fuse a 1/2″ hem at the top of the panel where the box pleat was created.  I used sticky back velcro at the top edge of the panel.  With the velcro fixed to the fabric I stuck it up under the edge of the counter where the small strip of wood trim is.  I stuck the velcro to the back of the wood trim, ensuring the skirt hung at the exact right height to dust the floor.  The skirt can easily be lifted to access stuff underneath or I can detach it.

The skirt helps immensely to visually clean up this space.  I like it way more than I thought I might.  With the big drapes I worried the room would be overwhelmed with billowing fabric.  But I think it works since I stuck with a simple white tailored panel under the counter.

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