How to Make a 50s Poodle Skirt
Poodle skirts are an essential item for any woman's 1950s costume wardrobe. These full skirts can be purchased from specialty costume stores, but they can be expensive and hard to find. Fortunately, it is easy to make an inexpensive homemade poodle skirt. With the right fabric and common sewing supplies, any amateur seamstress can make her own poodle skirt from home in hardly any time at all. With just a few simple accessories, a homemade poodle skirt can make a '50s costume complete.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Pink felt
- Craft string
- Pins
- White chalk
- Fabric scissors
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- 1/2 inch wide elastic
- Black felt
-
-
1
Cut out a rectangle of pink felt that is 34 inches long and 17 inches wide. Fold the fabric in half, bringing the shorter edges together.
-
2
Cut a piece of string that is long enough to reach from the waist to mid-calf. Tie a pin to one end of the string and a piece of white chalk to the other end.
-
3
Pin one end of the string to one of the corners on the folded edge of the fabric. Pull the chalk end of the string taut and use it to draw a rounded edge all along the corresponding corner of the fabric.
-
4
Remove the string from the fabric and cut along the curved chalk line, cutting through both layers of fabric.
-
5
Cut off the corner of the fabric opposite the curved edge, 4 inches inward from the corner. This will form the waistline of the skirt.
-
6
Repeat the process to create another semicircular piece of fabric. Sew together the straight edges of the fabric pieces to form a circular piece with a hole in the middle for the waistband.
-
7
Fold under the outside edges of the skirt 1/2 inch and sew the fold in place, tucking under the raw edge of the fabric as you go.
-
8
Fold the waistline down 3/4 inch and sew the fold down, tucking under the raw edge of the fabric as you sew. Leave a 1 inch opening in the waistline.
-
9
Cut a piece of elastic that is just long enough to wrap around the waist. Thread this elastic piece through the waistline, using the 1 inch opening. Gather the fabric as needed.
-
10
Sew the 1 inch opening closed. Use the template in the "Resources" section to cut out a black piece of felt in the shape of a poodle. Sew the poodle shape onto the front lower left corner of the skirt.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wear a full crinoline skirt underneath the poodle skirt to give it the full effect.
