How to Make a Ladies' Full Cotton Slip

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Cotton fabric

  • Sewing machine

  • Matching thread

  • 1-inch trim

  • 1/2-inch elastic

  • Safety pin or elastic threader

Make a full slip to wear with your full-skirted dresses.

A cotton slip is cool on a hot day, especially if it is full enough to keep your skirt away from your legs. A full slip also improves the lines of a gathered skirt. Ready-made cotton slips are sometimes hard to find, but you can sew one yourself with only a few straight seams. Make an inexpensive slip from muslin with eyelet trim or use fine batiste and handmade lace to make an heirloom petticoat.

Advertisement

Step 1

Measure your waist.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Cut your fabric two or three times as long as your waist measurement. This will be the measurement around the hem of the slip: two times the waist measurement for a slightly full slip, three times the measurement for a moderately full slip. If you need more fullness wear two slips; adding more fabric to a single slip will make the waist too bulky.

Step 3

Cut your fabric to the desired length of your slip.

Step 4

Sew the sides of the fabric rectangle together to make a large fabric tube. Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Finish the seam allowance with a zigzag or overcast stitch.

Advertisement

Step 5

Finish the lower edge of the slip with a zigzag or overcast stitch, then sew the trim around the bottom of the skirt, starting at the seam. Fold under the raw edge of the last 1/2 inch, then lap it over the beginning of the trim and sew closed to give it a finished look.

Step 6

Finish the top edge of the slip with a zigzag or overcast stitch.

Advertisement

Step 7

Iron down a 1-inch casing for the elastic at the top of the slip. Sew 1/4 inch from the edge of the folded down fabric, leaving a 2-inch opening at the end for threading the elastic.

Step 8

Cut a length of 1/2-inch-wide elastic that will fit comfortably around your waist with a 1/2-inch overlap at the end.

Advertisement

Step 9

Thread the elastic through the casing with a safety pin or elastic threader. Be careful not to twist the elastic.

Step 10

Sew the ends of the elastic together with a 1/2-inch overlap. Sew the opening in the casing closed.

Advertisement

Video of the Day