How to Sew a Puffy Poodle Skirt

Circle skirts from the '50s mirror the romantic fullness of ballet skirts.

One of the first things that springs to mind when thinking about '50s fashion is the iconic poodle skirt. Though not all skirts of this style had poodles stitched onto them, many did. These full, circle-cut skirts were worn below the knee and, with the help of a stiff crinoline petticoat, were very puffy indeed. If you're looking to wear one for a costume party, they are very simple to make yourself. You don't even need to add the poodle. Records, music notes, and ice cream floats were popular designs as well.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 2 yards square felt fabric
• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors
• 1/4 yard white felt
• Poodle-shaped stencil (optional)
• Cotton balls
• Hand sewing needle
• Thread
• Black embroidery floss
• 1 yard thin cord
• 1 yard 4-inch-wide elastic
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure and record the widest point of your hips and the distance between your waistline and your calf. These will provide the dimensions for your poodle skirt.

2. Fold the felt in half and lay it flat on the floor. Centered on the fold with half the felt's length on either side, draw a semicircle of half the diameter of your hips. As this portion is on the fold, the opposite side will have the same measurement. Cut out the semicircle, leaving the felt folded in half.

3. Mark your waist-to-calf measurement, beginning from the edges of the semicircle and working around to the opposite side. This will make the skirt evenly circle-shaped, providing you with one of the fullest skirts possible.

4. Cut the white felt into a poodle shape, using a stencil if needed. Place the cotton balls onto its shoulders, ankles, and tail. Stitch them in place. If you wish, you may stitch eyes, a nose, and a collar onto your poodle using the embroidery floss.

5. Place the poodle onto the skirt and situate it to your tastes. Stitch the poodle onto the skirt, leaving a small opening near its collar for a leash. Place the leash's end into the open space and stitch it on. Close the opening to avoid any ravelling. Stitch the leash to the skirt, moving it upward until it reaches the waistline. Some poodle skirt makers like to make the leash loose and add various loops or swirls to the cord, but this is optional.

6. Wrap the elastic around your waist and cut it to fit. Pin both sides together with right sides facing and sew a seam. Situating the seam at the back, pin the elastic waistband and skirt together, right sides together. You will need to stretch the elastic to accommodate the top of the skirt, but this gathering only adds to the overall puffiness of the skirt. Sew the elastic and skirt together and remove the pins.

Tips & Warnings

• "Right sides" is the phrase used to describe the sides of the fabric seen from the outside.

• Layering a petticoat under your poodle skirt will provide additional fullness and flounce to your look.

References

• Fifties Web: Poodle Skirts