How to Make a Bubble Skirt Out of Polyester

Bubble skirts are sometimes called balloon skirts because they balloon out at the bottom.

Bubble skirts are gathered at the top and bubble out at the bottom due to the front of the skirt being longer than the lining underneath. While most bubble skirts are made of cotton, other fabrics can be used. Light fabrics are recommended, however, because this helps the characteristic bubble shape drape correctly. For a bubble skirt made of polyester, a lightweight polyester should be selected, such as the type used to make night gowns and house dresses. Most polyester has the same print on both sides. You can use two panels of the same fabric for this skirt, or you can use coordinating fabrics.

Things You'll Need

• 2 polyester fabric panels
• 1/2-inch elastic, cut to your waist measurement
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Decide on the length of your skirt, and cut the polyester fabrics to the desired length plus 1 1/2 inches and the desired length plus 3 inches. The outer layer of the skirt should be the longest. Each rectangle width should be the measurement of your waist plus 10 inches.

2. Fold the pieces of fabric vertically, putting the short sides together. Run a seam down each piece of folded fabric, 1/2 inch from the edge.

3. Put the smaller polyester fabric inside the larger piece, and line up the edge on one end. If the pattern differentiates top from bottom, make sure this is the bottom seam. Sew around the entire skirt, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

4. Sew a seam 1/4 inch from the top. Leave a small opening, and use this to turn the skirt right side out. Move down 1 inch, and sew a seam the entire way around the skirt, creating a casing for the elastic. Feed the 1/2-inch elastic through using the safety pin as a guide. Sew the ends of the elastic to form a loop. Close the top seam.

References

• Sew What's New: How to Make a Bubble Skirt
• Make It and Love It: Re-purposing - Bubble Skirt