What little dancer doesn't enjoy wearing a little skirt? Mine loves them. Also, they are great for hiding the fact that her leotards don't fit great around the leg. They just don't make tall/slim leotards.
This little skirt can be made with any time of light weight fabric. We used tulle, but lace or chiffon will be great. Chiffon would make it more opaque. We used fold over elastic for the waist, but you can use ribbon to form a casing and slide elastic through if you'd rather. Fold over elastic makes this project really quick and usually costs about 70 cents a yard.
It's the stuff you see those elastic headbands made from...hint, hint. You're not likely to find it in a chain store, but it's widely available online.
Materials:
1 yd. of tulle
Waist minus 2" of fold over elastic
Sewing Supplies
Directions:
1. Cut tulle across the middle from fold to selvage to create two long strips.
2. Layer the strips on top of one another.
3. Find the center of the tulle and fold over elastic and mark/pin.
4. Stitch the tulle side seams together using a zigzag stitch.
Stitch the inside layer seam first, then the outside layer seam. You can also do this step last if you don't mind your layers sewn together.
5. Gather the tulle. The tulle circle should end up about 50% larger than your elastic strip.
This is relative and adjustable. :) Our
gathering tutorial can be helpful.
6. Sandwich the gathered tulle edge between the folded elastic and zigzag back and forth a few stitches to anchor. While pulling the elastic about 50% tight, continue to sandwich and zigzag all the way around the skirt.
7. Overlap the ending point over the beginning point. Zigzag the vertical raw edge of the fold over elastic. That's it. Try it on...it should fit. Our first try was a bit big...I pulled the elastic tight instead of partial. On that skirt, I simply sewed a new side seam. The layers are stitched together, but you can't really tell.
Take a look at our
lace legwarmer tutorial. These are fun to wear any time!
As always, we really want to see your pictures. You can email them to squigglytwigsdesigns@yahoo.com or facebook us. You'll find our facebook page SquigglyTwigs Designs.
Happy Sewing!
Debbie and Allison @SquigglyTwigs Designs
Thanks so much for this tutorial. You were featured on Craft Gossip. I have a bunch of tulle that I've bought as a future project for my granddaughters. Because I've read so many different views and opinions on tulle, it's been put on my procrastination list of things to do.
ReplyDeleteThe fold over elastic is also great for making panties. I've been using it for quite some time and it gives a very professional looking finish.
Again, thanks for sharing! I totally appreciate it.
Debbie...(O:
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