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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

How to make a Pettiskirt

First things First-- Do you really want to do this?  I mean really? 
I was one of those people that thought oh it can't be that bad-- but ya it can--- 
If you don't have the time-- seriously don't do this--- you'll pull all your hair out-- there really is a reason that they are so expensive-- These suckers are so time consuming!
 But if your anything like me you probably won't listen to me :) and maybe it'll be easier for you :) plus your just tempted by all that sweet fluffy goodness, admit it, you so want one, even for yourself.
 I                                          of course I have to give credit to the two sites that helped me a ton
and this page 
Even with them I am such a visual learner that I literally had to draw up what in the world they were explaining-- Dave of course had quite the laugh at me session, as for half an hour I sat and talked to myself as I tried to figure it out and explain it out loud to myself and then draw diagram after diagram-- but I got it, I figured it out- it's all good now :)

What you'll need: 
      *Nylon Chiffon - (do not use Poly Chiffon because if frays) I could not find any stores around me that carried it so I ordered mine from AFC- express (I do not really know how many yards you'll need cuz' it varies so much with the length you want, size, how fluffly ect. I ordered 10 yards for the two skirts I made and ya shipping sucks!)
      *Some fabric for your waistband-- satin charmuese is what most people use
      *Definitely a rotary cutter and mat-- unless you're really insane
      *Elastic, thread, a knowledge of how to do a gather stitch, and if your so lucky also a ruffler foot

So Step #1 is figure out the measurements
The waist length is usually 3" to 6" long (-- I went with 3 1/2" on Brynleys {who's 4} and Ellies {newborn} is only 3" long--) also you need to measure around their waist.(Bryn's waist was 21" Ellies 14")
Than you have to whip out all your super amazing math skills--- since the waistband will be folded in half you need to double the waist length (3+3) and add a 1/4" seam allowance on each edge (3+3+1/4" +1/4"= 6 1/2")
For the width you take the size of your waist and times it by 2 (14"+14"= 28")
Congrats you now have the waistband measurements--sweet!

For the Two Tiers you figure out how long you want the skirt to be (Bryn's was 14 1/2" and Ellies was 9")
Than you subtract the waist length and divide it by 2 for the two tiers and add 1/2" for both seam allowances on each side (9"-3"=6" / 2 = 3" +1/2" = 3 1/2" tier pieces)
Walah-- you now have your tier measurements!

As for the Ruffle fluff just cut 2" or 2 1/2" strips-- I like that one, no stinkin math to do.

Step #2  Cut, Cut, Cut, Cut
-You need your waistband
-Than cut your tiers your width measurement (Ellies was 3 1/2") and the length will be the length of your fabric selvage to selvage.  You need 6 top tiers and 12 bottom tiers so a total of 18.
-Than Cut your Ruffle fluff 2" to 2 1/2" wide by the length of fabric selvage to selvage--- (I cut about 130 for the two skirts I made)

Step #3-- Assemble the Skirt
  A- Sew the Ruffle Fluff and the Tiers end to end to end also if your waistband fabric frays sew a small hem on it to prevent it from fraying.
B- Sew a gather stitch on  your Ruffle fluff pieces and than gather for the rest of your life (if you have a ruffler foot consider yourself supremely blessed)
 C- Sew your Ruffle Fluff on to your bottom tier and than sew a gather stitch on the bottom tier
        D- Gather your bottom tier to fit the top tier than sew together and sew gather stitch on top tier
E- Repeat steps with the the Inside Tier Layers than gather and sew to the waistband till you have something that looks like this
F- Sew the ends together so you have a tube
G- Fold in half and sew the encasing for your elastic (about 1" wide), cut elastic to the waist measurement and insert elastic-- (thank you whomever invented the safety pin- your a life saver) and close off.
Wahoo! you are now done-- make sure and wake your girl up at 2 a.m so she can try it on-- and than just sit back and enjoy watching her love and love and love her new princess skirt!

26 comments:

  1. That is soooo cute! But I definitely don't think I'd go through that much effort lol :D If I ever have a girl I'll just have to pay someone to make me one.

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  2. You make it look so easy, but from the sounds of it, the $110 I spent on two skirts (newborn and girls 6) can be worth saving all the effort. Especially since I haven't sewn anything in years.

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  3. you have such a talent! I wish I could sew that!!!

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  4. That's great that she twirled in it from 2am until the sun came up to take a picture!(hahaha)
    It looks so cute!
    Good luck with the new baby!

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  5. Did you know that they sell that by the roll now, kind of like tulle in a roll, so you don't have to cut cut cut, and it comes in so many different widths. I am making the turkey skirt from MADE, and buying the pattern for 8 bucks is sure worth it for me. I ordered a 90 yard roll for $13 total. Sounds easier! I love your skirt...I'm am working on mine right now! Whew!

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  6. Okay, so I can't figure out why you have so many smaller sections on the tiers that you sew end to end...I'm totally lost!

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  7. I just found your blog through the CSI Project (The table turned out beautiful, not picnic-tabley whatsoever :D) and I have a serious blogcrush now. I was scrolling through your posts, saving everything in sight, then I saw this post and was filled with glee since I was scouring the internet just earlier today for good pettiskirt tutorials and yours is so straightforward. Whew, getting long-winded. Anyway I wanted to compliment you on the blog and tell you I will be following with girlish anticipation.
    :D Calise

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  8. I absolutely adore the pettiskirt and you're right about time consuming!! I gave up after 10 minutes lol. I had a quick question, I love the picture of the pettiskirt on the dresser. Could I use it as the image behind my header on my blog site? I would also be more than willing to link you to my blog as well.

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  9. These are the first instructions that I've understood on how to make this skirt. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :)

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  10. I am working on my pettiskirt! I didn't quite understand your instructions and yes I am INSANE! I have no cutter and mat and I'm not doing it on Chiffon... You're pictures are awesome though they are helping me get by!

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  11. Aewsome Blossoms!!! I have 3 hunny bunnies and all of them want one or two! Am thinking of puchasing soft netting (so I don't have to deal with fraying edges) and thank God I live near a craft haven that have oddles of ribbons in organza, chiffon, tulle, and netting in different widths, colors and shimmers. After your tutorial, I need to figure out the effects of layering cloths . . .

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  12. I see that someone said the skirt cost $110 to make 2... they are expensive to buy, but not THAT expensive! I have seen them online for as low as $15, right up to about $50.

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  13. To make the two skirts I did I bought ten yards and it was about $20 including shipping and a few dollars for the thread so around $25 for both my skirts.

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  14. Yup that pretty much did turn out awesome, but can it really be that bad,,, i know,, isn't there an easier way, that still produces adorable results, minus the countless hours spent?

    Anyhow, I'm featuring this on my facebook page, it is too lovely.

    Come say hi sometime!! Bella Before and After , and if you want to win an Avocado Painting, come enter myGIVEAWAY HERE, I really appreciate the support.

    Hugs,
    Bella :)

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  16. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Thanks to your tutorial, my daughter and niece looked beautiful for Easter! Thank you so much for sharing. http://bit.ly/k2IiiG

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  17. Oh no! I should have just listened to you in the beginning and stopped reading...but now I just don't think it will be that hard LOL Here's to hopin ;)

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  19. Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. It has helped so much in making my daughter's pettiskirt. Her birthday is coming up and she really wanted a skirt so I decided after much research to make her one. I had so much fun making this that I'm actually kind of sad that I'm done. But I plan on ordering a lot more material to make her several skirts. I can't wait to see her face on her birthday!! Thanks again!!

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  20. There are now photo's. I hope they will come back soon!

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  21. Beautiful! I have spent lots of money on pettiskirts for my sessions. Finally a good tutorial! Thank you for posting! Angela Butler - Clarksville, TN Photographer

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  22. I so heart you! I looked at every other blog and could not figure out what the hell they were describing! Thank you for the handy diagram. Sewing is like a puzzle and I just need to see what the pieces were on this damn skirt. I'm going to make one for my niece for Xmas and figure I need that Mich time to finish.

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  23. I apparently lost my mind and decided to take on 2 of these at once for my nieces. However I have to say your tutorial is fantastic and aside from sewing ruffle fluff on to the bottom layer (hardest part) It has been going smooth. Cant wait to see the finished product today. :)

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  24. Thanks so much for this tutorial. It was so easy to follow! Although it took the better part of forever, I managed to make one of these for my daughter's first birthday. Check it out:

    https://lifeofamamabear.com/2018/11/20/how-to-make-a-pettiskirt/

    Thanks again!

    Jodey (Life of a Mama Bear)

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