How to Make a Girl's Fabric Hula Skirt
Hula dancing and hula skirts are iconic cultural representations of Hawaii. The skirts can be made of grass, fabric or tree materials. Hula skirts were designed to accentuate the swaying movement of the hula dance. Most modern hula dancers wear full grass or raffia skirts. The skirts can vary from knee to ankle length. Little girls who like to play dress up can have hours of fun in a hula skirt. Grass skirts do not store well and can fray and crease when they are not being worn. Make her a fabric hula skirt so she can have days and days of hula dancing.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- ½ yard of fabric
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Safety pin
- ¾ yard ribbon, 1 inch wide
- Artificial tropical flowers
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
Instructions
-
-
1
Calculate how long you would the skirt to be. You may need to measure the distance between the girl's waist and knees to get the correct length. Add 1 ½ inches to the number for seam allowance.
-
2
Measure the girl's waist. Divide the number by 1.75 and round up. For example, if the waist is 12 inches, the number would be 7. This determines the number of fabric strips you will need.
-
-
3
Cut the designated number of strips of fabric. Cut the strips 1 ¾ inches wide and use your chosen skirt length measurement from Step 1 for the length.
-
4
Place the strip right-side down on your work surface. Fold the top of the strip down 1 1/2 inches and pin. Do this for all strips.
-
5
Sew the top of the strip so it creates a 1 ¼ channel at the top of the strip. Do this for all strips.
-
6
Pin a safety pin to the end of your ribbon. Use the safety pin to guide the ribbon through the channel in the strips. String all of the strips on to the ribbon. The strips should be side by side on the ribbon, not bunched or gathered.
-
7
Hot glue artificial, tropical flowers to ends of the ribbons.
-
8
Wrap the skirt around the girl's waist and tie the ribbon on the side to secure.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use bright colored fabrics for a tropical feel.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
