Method 1 How to make a detachable tulle skirt
This is an easy tutorial to sew a detachable Tulle skirt – an overskirt
This is a wrap-around tulle overskirt you can wear over your tights, leggings, a half slip, an existing skirt, or on its own.
The fabric tulle is what dreams are made of – a beautiful floating fabric with a fairy tale aura. Most of the ballerina skirts are made in this material, and I have made a ballerina skirt for my younger daughter using one of the tutorials for ballerina skirts I have featured in this post. I then decided I wanted an overskirt. This overskirt has made my eldest daughter into this girlie skirt convert. She is usually a denim girl who has to be persuaded into something feminine with great difficulty.
Since making this skirt, I have had requests from many mamas who want an easy tulle skirt that is easy to wear with its silk ties. Here is the easy-peasy tutorial.
- Tulle fabric ( You can use any sheer fabric like organdy or organza for this skirt)
- Matching Fabric piece (Cotton or satin) with length = waist round + 1″; width =2.5″
- Satin ribbon 1″ wide – 2-3 meters
- Satin fabric (optional – use if you want opaqueness to the skirt )
How much fabric do you need to make the tulle overskirt
Measure the length of the skirt you want. Double this amount and add 4 inches, and this is the length you need for the fabric. .
Lining ( optional) – You may need to add a lining to this tulle skirt; I have added a satin lining to this skirt. This can be totally skipped if you want to retain the sheerness of tulle.
Step 1.
Divide the tulle fabric you have by 2. Cut through the middle. Join the two pieces at the long edge. I have used a french seam to join the pieces as the french seam makes it look good on both sides. From this long piece measure – your waist round * 3. Cut off the rest.
The lining material should be cut 1 inch shorter than the tulle fabric. Width should be the same. ( for the pink skirt, I have not used lining, but for the white organza one, I have used lining).
Step 2
Hem the bottom edge of the tulle fabric; (For tulle fabric, you do not have to do it if you do not want to – it doesnot fray at the cut edges).
Do the same for the lining as well. This is done separately. Just turn under 1/2 inch and then 1 inch (press ) and stitch in place.
Step 3
Gather the top edge of the skirt to the measure of your waist round. You can make two rows of gathering stitches (basting stitches) to gather. Do the same for the lining as well.
Baste in place the gathers you have made with a long basting stitch 1/2 inch from the top gathered edge.
Stay stitch the gathering in place with a straight stitch 1/2 inch for the outer skirt and the lining separately. Then join the top edge of the lining and tulle fabric together.
Step 4
Stitch the fabric side edges – I have turned under 1/4 inch twice, the main fabric and lining edge together; on both sides.
Step 5
Take a piece of 2″ wide fabric strip the length of your waist + 1″ – Now, this strip should be the exact round of your waist when finished. Give it a double fold -i.e., turn the fabric edges 1/2 inch inside.
Keep the gathered edge of the tulle skirt inside the fabric strip and pin it in place. Top stitch the waistband. The top edge is neatly finished inside the waistband now.
Step 6
Take the satin ribbon of ( length = waist round * 3 ) and finish the edges with a bias snip inside like in the picture below; so that it would not fray.
Take the center of the ribbon. Place the ribbon on top of the waistband you made and pin it in place, aligning the center of the ribbon and the skirt waistband.
The ribbon should completely cover the face of the waistband. Pin in place at regular intervals. Top stitch the ribbon.
You can wear this overskirt by wrapping the skirt and wrapping the ribbon tie around your waist and bringing the sash ends to the side and tying a bow.
Method 2 How to make a ruffled tulle skirt
Another option for a tulle skirt is to make it in layers of ruffles. Below is a photo of a skirt my daughter owns. To make this is easy. Simply sew a slip (like this one in half slip tutorial) and sew on ruffle strips cut out from tulle. Because tulle does not fray at the cut edges, you do not have to finish the edges – it makes everything so sew easily.
Cut the tulle strips at least two times the round of the skirt at the 3 levels.
Related post: Ballerina skirt : 20 easy tutorials ; Make your own lolita skirt
