World's Simplest Petticoat

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  Step 1

  First off, you need a strip of fabric 66 inches in length and 7-8 inches in width.

  (I had to sew two strips together to get the length I needed)(make sure to wash and dry the fabric before you start sewing anything)

  The length can be made longer or short depending on how much fullness you can handle after the petticoat is done.

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  Step 2

  Next you need to sew a casing at the top.
  Fold over the edge about 3/4 of an inch and iron it flat.
  Sew along the edge and there is your casing.

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  Step 3

  Next you need to sew a hem at the bottom of the fabric. Do the same thing as you did for the casing but it only has to be a 1/4 inch wide instead of 3/4.

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  Step 4

  Now for the netting.

  When you bought your netting it may have been folded in half so it fits on a board that is half its width. Whatever you do DON'T UNFOLD IT! You need it doubled like that to get the fullness you want with less hassle.

  The netting should be 45" in witdh, that's usally how it comes. When folded in half it should be 22.5".)

  When you have your 9 yards of netting (more or less depending on your size and how big you want you petticoat) cut it in half so you have two strips that are 4.5yards in length. When you put the strips on top of each other you should have four layers of netting 4.5 yards long.

  (By the way, I wanted my petticoat to be short, if you want a long one, this is when you can unfold the netting and add more layers of netting.)

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  Step 5

  And make sure the folds are at the top.

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  Step 6

  Ok here is where you need the dental floss.

  The netting needs to be gathered to get that poof effect. In order to gather all these layers of netting, you'll need something a lot stronger than just thread.

  You'll want to sew this gather about two inches from the top. More poof at the top that way.

  Cut two or three strings of dental floss. When put end to end they should be the same length as the netting.

  Set your machine to zig-zag stitch and have your stitch width as wide as it will go. Put the dental floss on top of the netting and under the foot of the sewing machine. Place the dental floss in the middle of the foot. Sew over the dental floss and make sure not to catch the floss in the stitch. Also make sure to back stitch on both ends. Do this for all the dental floss you cut.

  After you have done that, tie off one end of dental floss by tying to the thread left from the stitch and pull the other end to gather the netting.

  For a tulle shell do steps 4-6 for the tulle.

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  Step 7

  Next you need to sew the netting (and tulle) to the waistband. Sew it to the bottom of the waistband with a zig zag stitch. The netting doesn't exactly need to be on the hem. It can be an inch higher if it's easier for you to sew it there (it was easier for me that way).

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  Step 8

  Next, with right sides together, sew the skirt ends together. Make sure not to sew the casing at the top closed.

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  Step 9

  Turn the skirt outside in and get your ribbon, its time to finish it up.

  Put a safety pin on one end of the ribbon and thread it through the casing of the skirt to the other side.

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  Step 10

  Pull the ribbon so it fits your waist.

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  Step 11

  My waist band turns up at the hem a little since I didn't sew right on the hem. (Oops, oh well, its technically underwear.)

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  Step 12

  And You're Done!!

  YAY!!!

  Now put a flowy circle or gathered skirt over it and you've got yourself a poofy cute skirt.

  Note: You can sit in this, I've tried it, it's possible. Just make sure you rotate it each time you wear it. For instance, the bow of the ribbon is on the back instead of the side so that the skirt doesn't go limp in one spot.

  Try It!! Happy Sewing :) And remember, any questions or comments, awkward or not, please let me know :)

Comments

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polly p. 21st December 2018

I am strictly Uniformed 24/7. For various reasons I often have to wear Petticoats made from layers and layers of Crumpley-Crackling NEWSPAPERS! I make them myself, with all the sheets of paper perfectly folded and pleated and neatly taped together into a huge pyramide or bell shape to really Puff out my huge sticky-out Skirts all round my Rear End. It is a bit embarrassing because they are really Stiff and Bustling and I Rustle noisily with every step but I find Newspaper is ideal and very cheap. I do get a lot of unwanted attention and wandering hands!

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Kristen B. 28th December 2016

On my first try, I used tulle. It was very hard to sew together and when I put it on it ripped instantly! The way I got it to work used crinoline. Crinoline is a miracle of the gods!! I absolutely recommend crinoline as opposed to tulle. Crinoline makes your skirt EVEN PUFFIER and stronger, not to mention more comfortable!

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HELLOKITTY39 29th December 2012

DOES IT FIT IF YOUR IN PLUS SIZES ALSO CAN YOU MAKE IT IF YOU HAVE NOT GOT A SEWING MACHINE THANKS.

Sarania · U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, US · 15 projects 29th October 2013

This fits most sizes if you adjust the waistband and the amount of netting and tulle used. For the waistband, just take your waist measurement, double it and add a few inches. The netting and tulle depends on how much you want. And as long as you can hand stitch a straight line you can do this without a sewing machine. Hope this helps.

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Emily · Brisbane, Queensland, AU · 4 projects 10th November 2010

thaxs so much.

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Sarania · U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, US · 15 projects 10th November 2010

Hi Emily!

I got the body form from this website:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0130.html

Its a Prym Dritz My Double dress form and its adjustable. Just go to the website and scroll down and find your size. It's reasonably priced for a dress form. And its a good one.

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Emily · Brisbane, Queensland, AU · 4 projects 9th November 2010

were did u get the manikin thing from?
coz i would like to get one.
and nice project.

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