Poodle Skirt Ideas
The poodle skirt is a full circle skirt with an applique, most often of a poodle. Poodle skirts are a classic costume choice for the 1950s. These circle skirts are flattering and appropriate for little girls, teens and more mature women. Moreover, they're an inexpensive and easy to make costume that can work for sock hops, Halloween or plays. You can purchase poodle skirts or make your own, as many young women did in the 1950s. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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While the poodle skirt is an iconic image of the 1950s today, back then it was popular fashion. In the late 1940s, actress-turned-designer Juli Lynne Charlot designed circle skirts with felt appliques near the hemline. The original designs were holiday-themed; however, dogs, records and more followed. Pattern companies released embellished circle skirt designs, and girls and women began wearing full circle skirts with appliques, prints or designs along the hemline.
Materials
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The poodle skirt could be made of felt or other materials. Inexpensive acrylic felts were new in the 1950s, required little sewing, and could easily be turned into a skirt at home. Commercially available poodle skirts came in a variety of fabrics. A poodle skirt could be worn with a crinoline or without, depending on the material and desired look.
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Appliques
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Poodle skirts used felt appliques in various styles. While poodles are the most common and cliched of these today, all sorts of appliques were used. Sometimes a single applique decorated the circle skirt, but in other cases, the appliques were used all around the lower body of the skirt. The classic poodle applique is still available in fabric stores; however, you may also find other retro-style appliques that can be used to decorate circle skirts.
Making a Poodle Skirt
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The classic felt poodle skirt is as easy to make today as it was in the 1950s. You will need 60-inch-wide felt, a zipper, grosgrain ribbon and two hook-and-eye closures. Measure your waist and add one inch for seam allowances. Divide this number by 3.14 to determine the diameter of the circle you will cut for your waist, then divide the diameter by two to get the radius. Fold a 60-inch-square piece of felt into quarters. Measure out the radius of your inner circle and mark multiple spots around the folded corner of your felt, then draw the quarter-circle into place. Mark the skirt length you prefer in multiple spots, measuring from the waist, and connect into a neat curved line. Cut along marked lines and one horizontal line to create a single side seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Insert a zipper into this seam allowance. Finish the waist by stitching grosgrain ribbon to the right side of the waist area, turn and topstitch. Add hook-and-eye closures to secure the waist of your poodle skirt. Apply the poodle applique according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Wearing Your Poodle Skirt
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For the most authentic look, wear your poodle skirt with a crinoline. Add a fitted sweater or cardigan, a scarf around your neck or ponytail and saddle shoes or classic Keds to finish off your look. Take the time to curl your hair and do your makeup to finish off the look for an adult. For a child, add a high ponytail tied with ribbon or a head full of curls.
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