Tulle skirts have become one of the main trends in children's fashion. They are light, airy, and create the image of a fairy-tale princess. To sew such a skirt for a girl with your own hands, you need to choose the right fabric, decide on the style, and know the rules for caring for the finished product.
How to choose tulle for a children's skirt
Experienced seamstresses recommend paying attention to the material of medium and weak rigidity. Too rough tulle is uncomfortable to wear, and untreated edges can leave scratches on the baby's skin. In addition, rigid material is heavier than soft.
The table shows the parameters of the fabric suitable for sewing a skirt:
| Types | Density |
| Soft | 18 gr/m2 |
| Standard | 19 gr/m2 |
| Stretch tulle | 20 gr/m2 |
| Medium hardness | 18.5 g/m2 |
The best material for children's tutu skirts is considered to be Eurofatin (19 g/m2).
It has a smooth, silky texture. Light, delicate, pliable, gathers into folds and smoothes out well. The width of the fabric in a roll corresponds to a single standard - 3 m. This allows you to sew a skirt without unnecessary joints. You can buy fabric with a printed pattern, embroidery or beads. Then the children's skirt will look festive and unusual.
Tips on sewing techniques for a tulle skirt
To make a tulle skirt beautiful and last a long time, you need to follow some recommendations for sewing and cutting this material:
- The optimal stitch for sewing is 2.5 mm. If you set a smaller size, the likelihood of the fabric getting caught under the foot of the sewing machine increases. Large stitches will gather the material into uneven folds.
- To ensure that the folds are even, you need to secure them with several pins stuck in different directions.
- It is recommended to iron each new seam, as well as folds, before sewing.
Tulle does not tolerate high temperatures, so you should set the iron to the lowest power. When ironing a lining made of another fabric, the temperature is changed. Steaming is considered the best method of ironing.
- Mesh fabric is difficult to cut with regular scissors because it constantly shifts and stretches. It is recommended to use a special round cutter.
- To give the tutu skirt a light, airy look, the edges should be left unfinished.
Before you start work, you need to know how much material you will need. The formula to help calculate the required amount of fabric is as follows: (waist circumference / 4 + 1) / 3 * (length of the product * 2). For example, you can calculate the required amount of tulle for a skirt for a girl whose height is 110 cm, waist circumference is 50 cm, and the length of the skirt is 30 cm: (50/4+1)/3*(30*2) = 260 = 2.6 m of fabric.
Master class: tulle skirt without a sewing machine for a girl
A tulle skirt for a girl can be assembled without a single seam. Such models are called a tutu skirt or a tutu skirt. They are lush, airy, and resemble the hem of a Disney princess dress.
There are several assembly options. You can make a short skirt with sharp edges sticking out in all directions, or cut the hem evenly so that it resembles a "bell" flower. Long models are made smoother, but this does not make them lose their attractiveness and luxury.
Short skirt
What materials are needed to assemble a short skirt without sewing:
- elastic band with checkerboard weave;
- tulle 2 matching colors;
- satin ribbon;
- measuring tape;
- scissors;
- Crochet hook No. 5.
The only seam you need to do will be on the elastic. You should measure the required length and subtract 2-3 cm (depending on the elasticity of the tape). This is necessary so that the skirt does not fall off the belt.
The roll of tulle is unrolled, the required amount of fabric is measured. It is necessary to cut strips 5-10 cm wide, and 2 times longer than the expected length of the product. It is better to cut the fabric along the grain. Eurotulle almost does not stretch in this direction.
If the skirt style is planned with a straight, even hem, then the material is cut into rectangles. If sharp ends are needed, then each rectangle is folded in half, and the corners are cut off, making one, sharp in the center.
The elastic band is put on a mannequin, if there is none, then you can use a thick book, a cutting board or the back of a child's chair. The main thing is that the band has a natural tension. It is not completely stretched, but does not sag either.
The strip of tulle is folded in half. A loop of fabric is formed at the fold, which must be pushed through one of the holes of the elastic. This is done with a crochet hook. The first row of the elastic is skipped.
In the second, from the connecting seam, count 5-7 holes and thread the tulle. You need to pull out a small loop of material (3-5 cm) and pass the free ends through it. Do not tighten too much.
Next in the same row, skip 5-7 cells, and repeat these actions. You can thread different colors of tulle in turn, or do the entire row with one shade of fabric, and the next with another.
To start weaving the second line, you need to skip one checkered row of elastic at the top and thread the tulle into the next one. Now you need to insert the strips of fabric so that they form a checkerboard pattern with the bottom row. If the gap between the ribbons was 7 cells, then the strip of the second row should be threaded into the fourth and hang between the two lower ones.
In this way, you need to knit the entire elastic band, adding new rows. The more new lines, the more voluminous the skirt will be. When the weaving is finished, the strips of tulle are carefully straightened out. In front, you need to tie a bow from a satin ribbon, for this, in one of the middle rows, insert a hook, into a knot of fabric, and carefully pull the ribbon through. Tie a knot, and then a regular bow.
The tulle tutu skirt for a girl is ready. This short model is suitable for everyday wear and for holidays. Creates a fun and bright image. Can be worn with white knee socks, shoes, sandals or sneakers.
Long skirt
Making a long skirt is almost no different from the previous method.
What materials will be needed:
- tulle;
- scissors;
- wide elastic band;
- measuring tape.
For this model, it is not necessary to choose a checkerboard elastic band. You can buy a regular elastic band, 5 cm wide. Measure the desired length and reduce it by 2-3 cm, carefully sew the elastic band into a ring, straighten it and put it on a hard base for ease of work.
Cut even strips from the tulle. Multiply the length of the skirt by 2, this will be the length of the rectangle. The width of the tape can be from 7 to 12 cm. Fold each strip in half and push the folded end under the elastic. Thread the hanging fabric through the extended loop and carefully tighten, placing the knot at the bottom.
These actions are repeated until the tulle completely covers the elastic. Then the loops are carefully moved towards each other, and the resulting gap is closed. It is necessary to tie so many years on the elastic that they cannot move freely. The ends of the tulle are carefully straightened, the skirt can be considered ready.
These models are suitable for holidays. Looks great with sandals or sneakers. Creates a stylish and elegant look. Emphasizes girlish tenderness and gives the image a romantic look. Recommended to wear with light cotton shorts.
Master class: tulle skirt on a sewing machine for a girl
A tulle skirt for a girl can be sewn using a sewing machine. There are several different styles. For example, short skirts with flounces, long gathered skirts or skirts sewn like a fluffy petticoat under a dress, which are considered an independent element of clothing.
Tulle is a synthetic fabric, and in hot weather it makes your feet sweat a lot, so it is recommended to sew skirts with a cotton lining.
Short skirt
To sew a short tulle Chopin skirt you will need:
- tulle;
- lining fabric in a matching color;
- scissors;
- threads;
- tailor's pins;
- lightning;
- needles;
- marking pencil;
- iron;
- sewing machine;
- buttons, snaps or hooks for fastening.
The "sun" pattern is transferred to tracing paper. To cut out a fuller skirt, you can use 2 patterns.
The radius of one of them will be 2 times larger than the other. The 4 upper layers, made according to the large pattern, will have gathers in the waist area.
The skirt will consist of 8 layers, not counting the lining. Eurofatin is folded 2 times in width, and the first 4 layers of fabric are obtained.
On one side, there should be 1 fold line, and on the other, 2 cuts. The future skirt should be carefully stitched along the bottom.
The second seam, joining the fabric into a ring on the side, should not reach the end. It is necessary to leave space for sewing in the zipper.
The skirt pieces that are on top need to be folded and stitched with seat stitches, and then the threads pulled together to the waist circumference.
The lower part of the 4 parts must also be folded and the seam places must be aligned. Then they are folded together and stitched along the waist. The seam allowances must also be stitched.
In the place where the zipper will be inserted, you need to carefully stitch (overcast) the seam allowances by hand, and carefully iron them.
On top, also manually, a zipper is sewn onto all 4 layers. The zipper is unzipped and sewn in using a sewing machine.
The lower and upper layers are joined together by hand-sewn and then sewn at the waist with a machine. The result is a skirt of 8 layers. The upper 4 layers need to be cut at the zipper and folded inward so that the fold line slightly covers the zipper teeth. The fabric is secured with tailor's pins and hand-sewn with blind stitches.
Now you need to make a lining; for this, a “half-sun” is cut out of cotton fabric. The radius of this element is equal to the waist circumference divided by 3. The lining is sewn into a circle by hand, leaving a slit for the zipper. The seam allowances are carefully ironed. The joint is stitched on the machine, the edges of the hem are hemmed.
The lining is connected to the skirt by placing them together with the wrong sides together, then stitching along the waistline. It is important to ensure that the lining is 5 mm away from the zipper teeth, otherwise the zipper will catch it when fastening.
To hide multiple seams at the top of the skirt, cut a 10 cm wide strip of cotton fabric, the length of which is equal to the waist circumference. Fold the tape in half and iron it. Place the edge of the skirt between the halves of the strip and carefully stitch it. Leave 1 cm of free edge on the left side of the zipper, and 3 cm on the right. Stitch with a blind stitch, tucking the corners inward and cutting off the excess.
At the larger end of the belt, you can make a buttonhole or an overcast slit. Another option is to sew on hooks or buttons. The finished product is turned inside out and the tulle is trimmed evenly.
The tulle skirt for a girl is ready. It adds tenderness, airiness and romanticism to the image. It goes well with tops on narrow straps and bright T-shirts.
Long skirt
You can sew a long stepped skirt from tulle; such models are also called multi-level.
What materials will be needed:
- tulle;
- cotton fabric for lining;
- sewing machine;
- scissors;
- marking pencil;
- elastic band 2-3 cm wide.
The basis for the skirt is a half-sun pattern. To correctly construct the pattern, it is necessary to calculate 2 radii. R1 is the waist circumference. The item should be easy to put on and take off. Calculation formula: R1 = (OB + 10): 3.14. R2 is the radius of the skirt from the bottom. R2 = R1 + Length of the item.
The lining fabric needs to be folded in half and 2 radii drawn from the fold line. Allowances need to be left along the waist and sides, and the hem needs to be processed. The fabric does not need to be sewn in a circle, because it will be difficult to connect it to the ruffles. It is easier to sew a straight piece than to stitch in a circle.
The workpiece is completely opened and marking lines are applied in the places where the tulle frills will be sewn on. The marking starts from the top, 5 cm down from the waist. The lower frill will be shorter than the others, and the middle one will completely hide the lower frill. The upper one will completely hide the entire skirt underneath.
Next, you need to do some calculations. To figure out how long each ruffle should be, use a measuring tape, from edge to edge, to measure the mark where they will be sewn on. Each ruffle should be sewn from 2 layers of fabric so that the skirt is fluffy.
Wide long strips are cut from the tulle, corresponding to all calculations. They are folded in half and the fold line is carefully ironed. Then the fabric is unfolded and sewn on the machine, setting the widest step of the foot. The fabric will gather into folds by itself, the main thing is to monitor the process.
First, sew on the lower frill. Place it on the cotton base so that the stitches and the marked line match. Pin it to the skirt with tailor's needles across the stitch. Make indentations from the edges. This is necessary so that when stitching the skirt, you don't have to sew up the frill.
If the fabric bunches up, you need more pins. The frill is sewn to the skirt with a small stitch, in an open form. At the end, it needs to be folded back and the fold line ironed.
All other frills are sewn on similarly, along the marking lines on the lining. The topmost one should overlap the others, but it should be sewn on not from the waistline, but slightly lower. Leave space for the belt so that the skirt flares out lower.
You need to sew the skirt in a circle. To do this, iron the seam allowances, make an overcast stitch, and then carefully sew it on the machine. It is important to remember that the frills should not be included in this seam!
Now you need to insert the elastic. To do this, cut the tape and reduce it by 2 cm. Join the ends overlapping and carefully sew by hand or with a machine, using a zigzag stitch. The elastic tape is fixed to the edge of the skirt from the inside with tailor's pins, and then pulled tight and sewn to the fabric using a zigzag stitch. Finally, carefully sew the layers of frills.
The tulle skirt for a girl is ready, all that's left is to try it on. The long multi-tiered skirt can be worn for celebrations or every day. It goes well with light sneakers and sandals.
Can be worn with a denim jacket, rhinestone tops or plain short-sleeved blouses. In cool weather, a light tulle skirt looks good with bright tights and turtlenecks.
How to care for the finished product
Tulle is a very delicate fabric. It is sensitive to high temperatures and can be easily damaged. Therefore, you need to know a few rules for caring for fluffy skirts made of airy fabric.
Such things are washed by hand. In the washing machine they are strongly deformed and can be damaged. Although some types of tulle have labels where washing and spinning in the machine is allowed. The optimal water temperature is 40 degrees. You should be careful when choosing a powder and buy a product for light, black or colored fabric, in accordance with the color of the material.
Pour water into a basin and dilute 2 tbsp of powder in it. Carefully lay out the skirt and soak it in foam. Then rinse the item in soapy water. Stubborn stains can be gently scrubbed. The skirt must not be wrung out in a centrifuge or twisted into a tourniquet by hand!
There should be 2 rinses. The first in warm water, the second in cold. You need to add a portion of rinse aid to weaken the electrostatic properties of the fabric. The bright color of the material will help to preserve the addition of two drops of 9% vinegar at each rinse.
After washing, hang the skirt to dry on a rope in the bathroom, clipping it to the belt with clothespins. When the water drains, straighten each frill or strip of tulle and smooth out all the creases. You can lay the skirt out on a thick towel in a horizontal position. To do this, the product will need to be completely unfolded.
It is recommended to iron the skirt at a temperature no higher than 100 degrees. Before you start, make sure the sole of the iron is clean. It is better to use a steam generator. This reduces the risk of ruining the clothes. Start steaming the largest elements of the skirt, gradually moving on to the small ones.
Strong creases are straightened with hands. If there is no special device at hand, then you can use a hair dryer. The skirt is hung on hangers, moistened with a spray bottle and dried.
To maintain the fluffy shape of the skirt, it should be starched. To do this, take a spoonful of starch per 500 ml of water and stir it. Then pour it into a saucepan and boil until transparent. Cool the mixture and strain through cheesecloth.
Pour cold water into a basin, add starch broth and mix well. Put the skirt in and soak it completely. Straighten, squeeze gently, with squeezing movements, without twisting, and hang on a hanger to dry. After that, smooth out small folds with steam.
If you don't have a steam generator, you can use another proven method. Fill the bathtub with boiling water, leave the skirt on a hanger over the bathtub, behind a closed door for 20-30 minutes. Wet evaporation evens out all minor defects. Then the skirt should be dried horizontally or hung on a rope.
A tulle skirt is a fashionable item that is easy to sew yourself, the main thing is to correctly calculate the dimensions and fabric consumption. For skirts for little girls, you can sew additional decorations onto the tulle, for example, finish the hem with a satin ribbon. This will prevent accidental damage to the fabric if the little one catches the edge of the skirt on something.
Article formatting:Natalie Podolskaya
Video about sewing a tulle skirt
Tulle skirt for a girl - how to sew: