Popular in the 1950s, when bell skirts were the pinnacle, today the petticoat is worn by fashion lovers as an actual piece of clothing rather than an accessory. When you know how to make a petticoat, it all becomes a question of style. Since tulle and other fishnet fabrics can pinch and be uncomfortable, recycle an old petticoat using the fabric and simplify the structure. This article shows you how to make one in two different ways!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Starting from Zero
Step 1. Take the tape measure
You will need to measure your waist circumference, then go down to the desired height along the leg. This will be used to know how long the petticoat will be, while the first measurement will give you the exact diameter (the petticoat tends to curl).
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Once you have your waist measurement, multiply it by 2, 5. The number you get will be the size of the piece of fabric you need. Cut the fabric (tulle or crinoline) accordingly.
In this article, tulle is considered as a fabric
Step 2. Join the cut sides
This will form the base of the skirt. Since tulle is rough to the touch, you will need to use your sewing machine to avoid irritating your skin.
Start at the bottom and work your way up, leaving an opening
Step 3. Sew the top of the tulle at the waist
There are a couple of ways to do this, and if you know any others, you are free to use them. Here is a method:
- Use eyelet thread and sew in a zigzag pattern, creating a sort of channel for the next join. You will need a presser foot in the machine to do this. The thread should be pulled off when you are done.
- Sew inside out so the material flows better.
Step 4. Get some grosgrain
You will need a length equal to your waist circumference plus a few centimeters (2.5 to 5 cm) to overlap the fabric. Place a brooch in half and three quarters. Do the same with the tulle (to make the fabric flow well along the waist line).
Step 5. Pull the eyelet thread
It will force the tulle by wrinkling it. Continue until you have curled it all the way up, getting the right fit of the waist. When the pins match, you are done!
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Attach the grosgrain to the tulle at different lengths. For the final part, wrap the eyelet thread around the pin to keep it from moving as you sew.
Pin the tulle to the grosgrain as it will stick to it when finished
Step 6. Sew the grosgrain to the tulle with zigzag stitches
Since tulle tears easily, zigzag is a good stitch to use. Once everything is sewn around, remove the pins. Check carefully to not forget any on the fabric!
If you have excess tulle on the seam, cut it off with a pair of scissors. It will pinch less and will not tear
Step 7. On the side opposite the grosgrain, place bias tape
It fills and strengthens the waist, preventing the tulle edge from scratching your skin. Fold it in half as you sew it.
You can use a satin stitch for this operation. Sew the bias binding at the top and bottom with an invisible seam on both sides
Step 8. Add hook and eye to the sides of the opening
Remember you didn't sew everything all the way up? So you can hook the petticoat. Now sew a hook on one side, its buttonhole on the other and you're done!
- Whatever your style, it should suit you. The grosgrain and the bias tape are quite strong.
- If you like ruffles, use the same method used for the waist by adding just a wider stripe at the bottom.
Method 2 of 2: With an Underskirt
Step 1. Get the petticoat and tape measure
Measure the width of the skirt at the widest point at the hips. Multiply the measurement by 2, 5 and add 2, 54. You will use this measurement for the tulle or crinoline. It will have to be much larger than your life in order to close.
- When you're done, measure the length of the petticoat and divide it by four. This will give you the width of the first piece of fabric (the following ones will be taken from this length and will be called "base width"). Joined together, they will form the length of the petticoat. Also allow for an extra 2.5 cm to overlap the seam.
- In case you haven't noticed, this tutorial uses an old petticoat instead of making a new one. It's a bit easier method.
Step 2. Cut the fabric
You can use both crinoline and tulle; the latter is more swollen, but it tingles and is rough to the touch. Whatever you choose, you will need to have three very long pieces of fabric of varying widths.
- The first cut should be the base width by the length of the fabric.
- The second piece should be twice the base width by the length.
- The third should be three times the base width by the length.
Step 3. Sew each piece together on the short sides
Use the 1.25 cm margin. You will get three circles of the same length, but of different widths.
Once you've completed this part, zigzag stitch along the edges of each piece of fabric to keep them from fraying. The zigzag is perfect for reinforcing and preventing tearing
Step 4. Set the stitch length on the machine to maximum
Make a 0.6 cm line of stitches starting from the incomplete edge of each cut. Flat stitch is fine.
Make a second row of basting stitches 0.6 cm from the first. The two parallel lines are elongated, beautiful to look at and useful
Step 5. Pull the threads of each line to gather the top of the pieces of fabric so that they are the same size
If they used to be two and a half times the width of your girth, they should now be a normal size. And they should have a lively, puffy look!
Step 6. Pin the widest part to the fabric
Line up the edge of the top and bottom fabric. Sew with 0.6 cm of allowance. And even in this case, a flat stitch is fine.
Check that the fabrics are pinned and sewn correctly! You don't have to have flat and other overlapping parts
Step 7. Now subtract 2.5 cm from the base width
Attach the middle fabric "to size" on top of the fabric to which you attached the fabric. Basically, if the widest strip is 38cm, you will have 10cm coming out of the bottom of the petticoat. Sew the second strip to the fabric using the same method used for the first.
Pinning the fabric first is always easier and ensures regular ruffles
Step 8. Pin the last strip the same distance above the top of the middle strip
Then sew using the same method. Your petticoat is ready to wear! What was once an anonymous and boring strip of fabric is now eye-catching and adds volume to outfits!
If it's not fluffy enough, add another layer. Or three
Advice
- Generally, you should keep the top quarter of the petticoat free of the tulle so that it fits snugly around the waist. If you don't plan to wear it under other clothing, add ruffles to the waist. Insert a rubber band or add a high leather belt.
- If you want to wear the slip as an over skirt, you can alternate the layers of tulle with cotton, polyester or knitted ruffles. Any fabric suitable for dresses or skirts is fine.
- You can also make tighter ruffles and add more layers for a fluffier petticoat.
- When considering how to make a petticoat, think about how to embellish it with a round of lace, beads, sequins or other embellishments along the bottom edge.
- You can always combine the two methods to make a flounce petticoat without a base.
