Altering Pleated Skirt Pattern

I have decided to use Butterick 4686, but want to remove some of the pleats. In a light weight fabric 7 pleats are nice, but I am thinking in Denim maybe they might be to much. I also wanted a less puffy look and more of an 'A-Line' shape.

Butterick 4686 uses the same pattern piece for the front and the back. I know my front is way different than my back so I am going to create a front and a back pattern and move the zipper to the center back.

So here is what I am going to do starting with the original pattern. I numbered the pleats to help in the example.

I will remove 3 of the pleats by folding out the pleats numbered 2, 4, and 6 (fold out completely). This will remove some of the volume at the pleat release to the hemline.

Retrace and then use this as my front pattern piece.

For the back I will draw a line down the center to create the new center back seam line.

Then add seam allowance and mark the zipper placement.

Next I will pull out my TNT pencil skirt pattern McCall's 3830.

Taking the new pattern pieces for the pleated skirt folding the pleats and pin using McCall 3830 as a guide for fit in the waist and hip area. I will alter using the pleats and side seams if need be.