How to Make a Floor Length Tulle Petticoat

Petticoats used to be a must for all women when wearing big skirts with bustles. Over the years they have gone out of regular use but are still a fun way to accessorize or to make a full skirt puff out nicely. Petticoats can be worn with formal gowns, prom dresses, costumes or just for fun.

Things You'll Need

• 5 yards of tulle (netting)
• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Quilt edging OR wide bias tape

Instructions

1. Measure the waist and add one inch.

2. Measure from the waist to the ankle and add 1 inch.

3. Lay out the tulle on a flat surface. Measure the length needed for the petticoat and cut along the full 5 yards of fabric.

4. Pin the two ends of the tulle together, leaving the top 7 inches unpinned.

5. Sew up the pinned side of the fabric just to where the unpinned section begins.

6. Measure out the waist measurement on the quilt binding and add 24 inches.

7. With the longest stitch available on your sewing machine, sew a basting stitch around the top of the skirt, 1/4 inch from the top edge.

8. Unfold the quilt edging and place a pin 12 inches in on either end of the edging.

9. Pull up the basting stitch on the top of the skirt and center the quilt edging to it. Pin to the marking pins on either end, leaving those 12 inch sashes free.

10. With the machine stitch setting back at normal, sew around the edge of the quilt binding affixing it to the skirt.

11. Fold the quilt edging back in half over the top of the raw edge of the tulle and pin it together along the entire length.

12. Sew the entire quilt edging together along the entire length. This seals the tulle inside of the binding.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add a hem to the bottom of the petticoat by folding it in 1/4 inch all around and then another 1/4 inch, pin and then sew in place.

• You can mix and match tulle and quilt binding for more funky color choices.

• Always be careful when using scissors.

• Follow the manufacturers instructions when operating any machinery.

• Tulle can be quite scratchy on your legs, you might consider wearing hose, tights or even bloomers underneath.

References

• "Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics"; Francesca Denhartog & Carole Ann Camp; 2006