How to Make a Ballerina Skirt

SAVE MONEY.

I got a sewing machine for my birthday and after a couple of weeks of just sitting there, I was itching to put the pedal to the metal!  I remembered a had a LOT of tulle leftover from my wedding almost 7 years ago.  I don’t know about you, but the first thing I think of when I picture tulle is a ballerina skirt.  I thought, that ought to be simple enough so here is what I came up with!  I made three skirts spread out over the course of a couple days.  This project can easily be done in a day and I’ll definitely be making more because they were very easy to make!

The sewing machine I got for my birthday!

Supplies:

• tulle (probably 3-4 yards)
• sewing machine
• thread to match tulle
• sequins (optional)
• craft/fabric glue (optional)
• scissors
• elastic
• safety pin

Game Plan:

1.  Measure the length you want the skirt and then add 1.5″-2″ to the length.  Cut.

I cut 8 panels for a 3 year-old’s skirt.  Basically I cut her length + 2″ inches 8 times, using the entire width of the bolt of fabric each time.

2. Fold each panel to desired thickness.  Each of my panels was 4 layers of tulle because I folded it twice.

3.  Fold the top over by 2″ and then sew a hem at 1.5″, leaving enough room for elastic to fit through.

If you want, you can clean up the unfinished side by trimming off the excess tulle below the seam.  I did not because once you scrunch up the tulle, you can’t even tell so I decided it would be a waste of time.

4. On each panel, cut the long sides apart up to the seam so that all the layers are separated from each other.

5. Cut the elastic to size, allow for a 1.5″ overlap to sew the two ends together

6.    Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.  Slide the elastic through all the panels, making sure the panels are all facing the same way as far as finished and unfinished sides.

6. Sew the elastic together.  Give it a good tug to make sure it is secure.

7.  Spread the tulle out around the elastic.

8. Check to see if you need to do any trimming.

• If you want a classic ballerina look, make sure the edges are cut straight.
• If you want a rockish ballerina look, cut the edges jagged and the layers at different lengths.

9.  If you want to add some sparkle to your skirt, use fabric glue or craft glue to attach sequins to it.  Just dab some glue on the back of the sequence and stick it where you want!

These are fairly quick and easy to make.  It may take you a little bit to get the hang of it at first but then you should be able to whip them out in no time!  Make some for your own children or give as a gift! Any little girl would love getting one of these as a present!

I made a teeny tiny ballerina skirt for my friend’s little one month old since I don’t have any girls of my own to model or make cute things for. Isn’t June just adorable? I think purple just may be her color!  I did not add sparkles to June’s skirt because I thought they could potentially be a choking hazard.

Check back tomorrow to see how to make a fairy skirt that requires no sewing at all!

I’ve got lots of tulle left; do you have any ideas for projects I can do with tulle?