How to Make a Bubble Skirt
November 4, 2009 5:13 pmThere was a lot o interest on the bubble skirt so I’d love to share my way of doing one with you. You can use any fabric you have, but I used a men’s shirt for this one. You can also use a pillowcase!
Cut off the ends of the shirt so you have it in a nice sized square. At this point, if you don’t want the pocket there, you can remove it with a seam ripper.
Cut off the ends of the shirt so you have it in a nice sized square. At this point, if you don’t want the pocket there, you can remove it with a seam ripper.
Next, I took the front piece of the shirt and stitch the flap down on one side so it wouldn’t open.
Now take the front and back of your shirt and sew, right sides together.
After you sew that, take the end that you will be tucking under the skirt and gather the edges. You can do this by doing a basting stitch and hand pulling it, bu doing a running stitch by hand or my favorite way: set your tension to the tightest(the highest) number and the length to the longest.
Here’s how it will look now.
Now you’re going to get the lining piece. I’ve been using flannel for the winter, but I had this soft brown jersey so I’m using this. You want to cut it so it’s about 50% shorter than your main fabric and about 25% more narrow. It will look something like this.
Pin the gathered edge to the lining piece inside out, and sew together. Here’s how it will look now.
Now bring the two side ends together.
Pin them together.
Sew them together. It will now look like this.
Now pull the lining piece under the skirt. And pin it to the main fabric. The main fabric is bigger than the lining piece.
So make small little folds to meet the lining piece and pin in place.
Do a basting stitch to keep it in place before attaching the waistband.
Now for the waistband. I had some leftovers on the shirt so I used that, but you could use any other fabric if you don’t have any extra. Get one long piece, your desired length, and about 3- inches wide, depending on your elastic.
Sew the end together so you have one circle. Then fold the band over in half.
Attach it to your skirt and pin in place.
Sew it together leaving an opening for the elastic.
String your elastic through. The do a zig-zag stitch to attach the elastic, and close the open spot of the wasitband.
Voila!
I L-O-V-E how you can see the button strip at the bottom! I think it’s so neat!
I also did this one out of a garnet crinkled pillowcase.
It’s so textured and voluminous!
Perfect for the holidays!
Hope you enjoy the tutorial! And enjoy this beautiful day!
Tags: bubble skirt, children, girls, kids, skirt
Posted in children's clothes, refashions | 17 Comments »
By Vintage Dutch Girl on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
AWESOME tutorial, thanks Alexis! I have officially become a 'never give away old/unused/ill-fitting clothing every again' person
And I LOVE it.
By Laurie Anne on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Love the red skirt! Awesome tutorial…thank you! x
By Carrie, Cory and Marley on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Aaaaaaah, so cute! Thanks!
By Jenny-Two-Tries on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
You've got to be kidding me! I've been working on this same project! Great minds think alike…..
So glad yours turned out so cute!
By Amy on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
I am going to try this for sure! Love it! Thank you for sharing.
By sofia's sketchbook on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
bubble skirst so cute!!!
bubble skirts my fav!!!!!
bubble skirst rock!!!!!!!
bubble skirt will try!!!!!!
By Jill on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
AWESOME! I was looking for the PERFECT skirt to make for my girls for their Christmas outfit, it can't get any better then this. THANK YOU!!
By Disney on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Adorable! I totally love the button strip on that first skirt! It makes it so cute and unique!
By starveil on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Very cute!
I really like the red one too! She looks like a precious little red rose.
By Anna on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the awesome tute! You must stay up all night sewing! I wish my one daughter liked skirts more…
By Kellie on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
love the garnet crinkled pillowcase bubble skirt! ADORABLE!
By ohbrooke on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
I read that whole tutorial thinking it was an adult skirt… I thought, "that skinny b***"… Phew! I was starting to think that I'd need to make a duvet cover into a skirt, while you used a pillowcase!
Great tutorial. Love your blog.
By Creative Craft Ideas on Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
I love the idea of taking something old and turning it into something new…this turned out SO cute!
Anne
By Bobbi on Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Very clever to have the button up part running horizontally. I never would have thought of that!
By Anonymous on Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
It must've been only 2 days ago that I wore a GAP bubble skirt and thought to myself, "I'm pretty sure I could make this." Your tutorial is very timely! Thanks for the great idea – I'm pretty sure my daughter needs one now!
By Shanade on Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
So very cute! My daughter would look adorable with one or two or even three of those.
I've left you a little blog award to pick up on my blog. Hope you don't mind.
By Your skirt on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article and very inspiring, I have some good models skirts and cheap, please visit me at http://yourskirt.com. Greetings introduction from me. I will always read your articles because smart and cool. Hope you all the best. Keep writing and share..Cayooo..!!