How to Make a Petticoat Slip

Wearing the petticoat slip as an undergarment has been in practice sine the 1500s, and it continues to be a wardrobe staple to the present day. Today, the petticoat is worn by period reenactors as well as those who live in cold climates where the added warmth is welcome. Make your own petticoat slip and add it to your wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pen and paper
• White muslin
• Yardstick
• Scissors
• Washing machine
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread and needle

Instructions

Measuring and preparing the fabric

1. Determine the length for the petticoat slip. You may need an assistant to help you. Measure first around your natural waist (below your ribcage). Measure next from the middle front of your waist to where you wish your petticoat hem to fall. The hem of your petticoat slip should fall an inch or two above the hem of your skirt or gown. Measure last from the middle back of your waist to the hem of the petticoat slip. Take the longest measurement, and add 3 inches for seam allowance and an additional 1/2 inch for the waist. This final total (the longest measurement + 3 inches + 1/2 inch) is the length of fabric needed for the petticoat slip.

2. Determine the amount of fabric you will need for your petticoat slip. For an adult, you can have up to 4 or 5 panels, or pieces, which will give your petticoat a nice fullness. Multiply the length of the petticoat (see Step 1) by the number of the panels you choose, then add 6 inches for seam allowance. For example, if the length is 37.5 inches and you wish to make the petticoat with 5 panels, the total is 187.5 inches. Add 6 inches for seam allowance and you have 193.5 inches. Divide the total by 36, and you will have the amount of fabric you need for your petticoat slip. In this case, it would be 5.375 yards.

3. Wash the fabric and cut off any loose threads. If the fabric is uneven or jagged, use a yardstick to draw a straight line, then cut the rough edge off along the line.

Cut the fabric

1. Cut the fabric into five equal pieces for the individual panels. Remember to keep the length intact. The overall fullness or width of the petticoat should be about 180 inches.

2. Cut a piece of cloth that is 3 inches wide and 3 inches longer than your waist length. This is the waistband for the petticoat slip.

3. Press the cloth in half using an iron. Fold up each edge by 1/2 inch so that the raw edges are inside.

Sew it together

1. Pin and sew the panels together, leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave an opening of about 6 to 12 inches at the top of one of the panel seams.

2. Hem the bottom of the petticoat slip by pressing it up 1/2 inch, then pressing it up another 1/2 inch so that the raw edges are tucked away from sight. Secure the hem in place by either sewing it by hand or machine.

3. Fold the petticoat slip in half one way along the length, then fold it again. Mark the position of each fold with a straight pin. These marks represent the center front and back, as well as the center sides.

4. Thread a needle with thread that, when folded in half, is the same length as your waist measurement plus 8 inches. Knot the thread.

5. Make small folds all the way round the top of the petticoat that are about 1/8 inch deep. When you have made folds all the way around, thread the needle again with the same amount of thread and repeat the process. Make sure the final measurement matches the measurement of your waistband plus a little more.

Attach the waistband

1. Fold the waistband in half, then in half again so that you can find the center front, back and sides. Line up these marks with the petticoat slip.

2. Open the waistband and pin it to the outside of the petticoat top along its folded edge. Sew along the waistband's folded edge to secure it to the petticoat slip.

3. Fold the waistband so that the top of the petticoat is encapsulated by the waistband. Hand or machine sew it in place.

4. Tuck the raw ends that extend beyond the petticoat on either end of the waistband and sew them closed. Sew on a fastener to close the gap left in Section 3, Step 1.

Tips & Warnings

• You can finish all of the seams by hand to give your petticoat slip a finished look.

References

• Petticoat: History of Petticoat
• Petticoat: Encyclopedia II - Petticoat - History
• The Sewing Academy: Free Patterns

Resources

• The Sewing Acedemy: Basic Petticoat
• Period Impressions: 1740-1770's Petticoat Pattern