This conversation is quite confusing, and it takes more twists and turns than I can keep up with. If you wish for a skirt like that, editing an existing just means dropping waist in front?
In regards to what MT said, sometimes I make things like pleats by extruding etc, but mostly for natural clothes on a human body, I simply use traditional tailoring... pattern cutting technique, sewing, etc followed by cloth simulation.
Also I make pleats, ruffles, folds, w/e is called for in a design, historically lol!
Perhaps Derek if you do as you say have experience in blender you should try to edit an existing skirt, by simply dropping the front waist, or make own new skirt in this fashion?
Good luck moving forward,
Elv