How to Make a Chiffon Wrap-Around Ballet Skirt
Chiffon skirts are ideal covers for ballet due to the lightweight, semi-stretch fabric that moves with the body. Derived from the French name for cloth, chiffon wraps are short skirts that are held onto the body with a ribbon tied at the waist. While you can purchase a wrap from a dance supply store, it is more budget-friendly to create your own custom-made version. Once complete, you can customize your wrap by adding embellishments or a second tier of chiffon. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Tissue paper
- Fabric pins
- Fabric chalk
- Iron
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Measure your waist and multiply the number by 1.5. This will add the allowance for the additional fabric to wrap around your waist.
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2
Measure from your waistline downward to the length of the skirt you desire. Add 2 inches for the seam allowance. Ballet skirts are typically short in length and will reach to your mid-thigh or knees.
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3
Lay the chiffon on a flat surface and pin to tissue paper to transfer your measurements to the material. Create a line across the top of the chiffon that is equal to the length of your waist multiplied by 2. Find the center of the line and draw downward the length of the skirt. Remember to add 2 inches. Create two more lines at either end of the top line. Connect the bottom tips of the lines to create one large rectangle from the chiffon. Use fabric scissors to cut the material; discard extra material.
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4
Create the rolled edges by folding 1/4-inch fabric on both sides and the bottom edge of the chiffon. Press the edging down with a preheated iron. Fold the edges again 1/4-inch and press down with an iron. Sew along the edges with a small zigzag stitch. This will create the rolled edges.
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5
Complete the unfinished hem at the top of the chiffon by folding the fabric downward 1/2-inch and pressing with an iron. Sew the hem down with a straight stitch or zigzag stitch.
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6
Lay the chiffon skirt on a flat surface and measure out a piece of ribbon the length of the fabric. Add an additional 8-inches of ribbon to either side of the chiffon. You will tie the skirt with this extra ribbon. Pin the ribbon to the chiffon so it does not move while sewing.
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Sew the ribbon onto the chiffon using a small running stitch. This will ensure a snug fit onto the chiffon. Trim any loose threads.
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Wrap the skirt around your body.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a small needle in the sewing machine to avoid pulling the fabric. If you snag the fabric, insert a needle into the snag and try to pull it out through the “wrong” side of the fabric.
Wash the fabric by wiping it down carefully or soaking it in a mild detergent; this will also remove the fabric chalk. Add embellishments to the wrap, such as small satin bows or stick on rhinestones.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
