Back in December, I had the brilliant idea to make a green tulle skirt for the Green Party at Alt Summit.
Of course, then I did nothing about that great idea and finally ended up buying fabric for the skirt in Las Vegas (when I mentioned this to Merrick, she said, “Are you going to make Mom sew it?” to which I replied, “NO! . . . maybe.”).
If you are in need of places to find a good dress for a little girl, pop in your email address and I’ll send you a list of our favorite places to get little girl dresses!
It’s a really simple skirt, but the tulle skirt tutorial I used was so unbelievably convoluted that both of my parents and I stood around the laptop reading instructions over and over, trying to figure out WHAT in the world was going on. It was kind of like working on those tedious high school projects all over again.
No need for all that baloney. It’s totally easy enough to make without the aid of your parents (although, to be honest, I did let my mom do a lot of the sewing (meaning – she sewed two of the four seams – this tulle skirt really is that easy)).
The other good thing is that tulle is super-forgiving. I’m considering making one for Ella, because what’s the point of having little girls if you can’t make them little tulle skirts?
To make your own tulle skirt, you’ll need:
- To do some math first. But easy math! You basically need two numbers here:
- Length. First, how long you want your skirt to be (measure from your waist to your knee (or wherever you want your skirt to fall to) and add 1 inch).
- Waist Radius. Second, the radius of your waist. Measure your waist and then divide that number by 3.14. Divide it again by 2. Done.
- Add the first number (length) to your second number (waist radius).
- Soft Tulle. If your final number (length+waist radius) is 27 or less, you’ll need about 6 yards (54″ inches wide – if you can’t find 54″ inch wide fabric, you’ll need to buy 12 yards). If your final number is more than 27, you’ll need about 12 yards.
- Lining in a color that matches your tulle (A knit is better because it won’t be as staticky, but I ignored this advice because I could only find something silky that matched my tulle color). You’ll want your waist measurement (the full circumference of your waist (25 or more inches) multiplied by 1.5. (So if your waist is 28 inches, you’ll want 42 inches of fabric).
- Elastic (I used black). Enough to fit snugly around your waist, plus 1 inch for overlap.
- Yard stick
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- A big piece of butcher paper (optional)
JoLee says
The skirt is great, but let's talk about your hair! It's cute. It's different! I love a good braid.
Ashley says
I could never sew this skirt….NEVER!! But I love it, and it looks amazing on you! And yes…you definitely should make one for your girls…they need a tulle skirt!
Alli Aars {You have your blog, we have Aars} says
I loved this skirt on you! So pretty! Dying to have one in pink. And I loved your honest post about ALT. I've been wanting to go for years. I think I'd just be so intimidated not knowing a soul!!!
Lauren and Joe O'Brien says
Wow, so pretty!!
Elisabeth @ Bella says
it looked even better in person 🙂
Rachel at Maybe Matilda says
Oh, I was SO hoping you'd post a tutorial after I saw your picture on Instagram! Love the skirt, love how you styled it in such a sophisticated way, and love the hair. You look fantastic! And I totally need one of these skirts. Bad.
Paige Flamm says
Awesome tutorial! This is super identical to the Anthropologie tulle skirt, but probably so much cheaper to make your own!
Lisa {MoneyHipMamas.com} says
Janssen, this is just what I needed! I saw the cutest pink tulle skirt online and by the time I got around to actually buying it, it was sold out. I'm not one to attempt sewing projects, so consider yourself a master saleswoman. Second of all, love that you managed to work pi into a sewing project. Math teachers everywhere are rejoicing. 🙂 third of all, your hair = love.
kimmie says
awesome skirt! and your hair looks amazing 🙂
Stephanie Fosmo says
You look like a princess! I seriously NEED one of these skirts… and I barely know the basics in sewing… Which means my mom will be helping me make this lol Thanks for this tutorial though <3
alittletypical says
Love the colour of the skirt! Also love your braids. So well put together!
Lauren Smith says
I would love a tutorial for your hair. Also this skirt is so fun.
Janssen says
Abby from Twist Me Pretty did it (she was one of my roommates). There's no way I could ever do it myself!
le mani creative... says
♥♥♥♥
Jessica says
Yikes, I'd definitely need a mom proficient in sewing to make this:) It looks great!!
Awkwardgirl x says
I love this!!
Heidi Kay @ Muslin and Merlot says
Love it! I shared a picture from your project on my blog and linked it back to you. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Christy from fountains of home says
Wow! You look gorgeous! And what gorgeous photos, love all of it!
Heather Aquino says
What is basting and how is it done?
Janssen says
It's a loose stitch to hold something in place. In the case of using a basting stitch to gather, you just sew loose stitches all the way around the top and then pull the thread so your fabric bunches up along the thread.
Sleepyeyes42 says
I have a question about the waist opening for this skirt. Your directions say to use your waist measurement and then find the radius of that circumference. That would produce an opening to small to fit over ones hips, if I'm not mistaken. Also, there would be no excess to gather with the elastic. Is there an ease factor that needs to be added to your equation? I love this skirt and wish to make one.
Janssen says
Tulle has a lot of stretch and give, so you don't need any extra. If you're worried about it, cut it out as normal, and then try one of the circles on to check that it's big enough before you go forward.
Katie Adams says
So Cute! Thank you for the great tutorial!
lacie tidwell says
I LOVE this skirt!! nicely done!! and that cracks me up that Merrick said are you going to make mom sew it – that's just something I would do! lol! beautiful skirt!
Bri Marie says
This is SO cute! But like other commenters have said – wow, your hair really steals the show!!
rlhicks says
Hello~ This color is FAB, but I cant find it anywhere! Do you mind telling me the color name and where you purchased it?? reyannahicks@hotmail.com is my email.
Victoria says
I'm curious too as to what color the tulle is 🙂
Victoria says
I'm curious too as to what color the tulle is 🙂
Janssen says
I bought it at Hancock Fabrics and it's an emerald sparkle
daniela says
LOVE this tulle skirt! I featured it on Wednesday Roundup at Put A Bird On It. 🙂 It goes live tomorrow!
Ashley Madewell says
Hi, I am having problems with the waist measurements…I'm not sure if I am doing something wrong. I am a 32 waist therefore, 32/3.14/2 gives me 5.09". I made my half circle radius 5.09" but it seems very small to fit…The length would be about 25" it seems short…even when I measure from the waist circle as shown in your diagram…can you advise? 🙂 I love this skirt and wish to make one asap. But can't figure out where I am going wrong..
Kasey Bealer says
Do you stretch the elastic as you see it to the tulle for the waistband?
Janssen says
A little, but not too much.
Aarabhi H R says
Hi! Love the skirt! I wanna make one for my little girl but, I am having some problems with the instructions.
Do I need to cut 2 full circles each of the lining and the tulle?
Could you please help me out?
Aarabhi H R says
And also, my baby's waist circumference is 15 inches, so would I be needing 22.5" lining fabric and 6 yards of tulle?
Gina Cuza says
So, if your number is greater than 27 do you skip ALL the folding or just folding in half lengthwise?
P.s. I love the color of your skirt and how you popped it with the leopard belt!
Gee says
You have just saved me- I have a textiles exam tomorrow and this tutorial is perfect for my design thank you
Ciara Smack says
How many layers did you do?
Kelly Bairos says
Love this!
Jeorgia Ludlow says
Hi Janssen,
Lovely skirt and tutorial. The tulle I want to buy is actually 118 inches wide and my calculations came to 12 yards. Since my tulle is wider do I need to buy less? like 6 yards?
Many thanks
Jeorgia
Emil says
So I am guessing your hips are a wee bit narrower than mine! Or your tulle is stretchier.
I just made this, and despite my tension going haywire on the elastic, I can’t fit it over my hips! Rats!
I was hoping to use it as a petticoat, but until I can figure out how to get it over my hips it’s a wasted project.
Judi says
Hi thank you so much for the tutorial!!! I was just wondering how many layers this skirt is as I’m trying to make a Queen of Hearts inspired dress.
Corinna Hamel says
“ Wash, dry and iron your tulle (or make your mom iron it) ”
This is what stuck out the most for me in this entire post. I’ve worked a LOT with tulle in my years of sewing. It’s best advised to avoid washing tulle at almost any cost. It’s never the same once you do. Most any other fabric, yes, by all means PLEASE prewash and dry as you intend to do with the finished item.
Bigger than that, however, you suggest the reader should “…make your mom iron it)”. Seriously, my kids get way farther if they ASK me to help them.
I’m well aware this post is ancient. I do hope your manners have blossomed in the years since. 😉
Janssen Bradshaw says
Oh my word, it was totally a joke! We worked on this project together and had a wonderful time doing it.
Calling out someone on their manners based on one line made in jest feels like . . . not great manners?