Make your own Boutique Twirl Skirt There is something magical about a big full skirt and the way it twirls around your body as you spin around in circles until you feel dizzy. Twirl Skirts, as they are fondly called, can have a very high price tag attached to them. Try looking up Boutique Twirl Skirts on Ebay and you will see the high numbers. Some Twirl Skirts on Ebay will sell for $75.
So, how do you give your little girl the joy of twirling in a pretty new skirt without hitting the closest bank up for a loan? You make your own for around $10. With some basic sewing skills, simple math, about 2 yards of fabric, and a few hours, you will have a brand new beautiful twirl skirt. Follow these instructions to complete a beautiful three tier twirl skirt. Wash and iron all your fabrics before you begin sewing and cutting to prevent shrinking and the color from bleeding.
Measure your child’s waist. Example 20″ *Decide how long you’d like the skirt to be: ie: 15″ *Decide how many tiers you would like: 3 *Divide your length by the tiers and add seam allowances: 15 divided by 3 = 5. Example: If using 5/8 seam allowance, add seam allowances of 5/8″ remembering that the top piece you will need to add enough to allow for a casing for the elastic size you choose + the 5/8″ 5+ 5/8 + 1″= 6 5/8″. On the middle piece it will be 5/8″ on both top and bottom so you add 1 1/4″. 5+1 ¼ = 6 ¼ On the bottom, allow for whatever hem you like to do, I like to do a narrow hem (5/8″), so I’ve added 1 1/4. 5+ 1 ¼ = 6 ¼ *You will be cutting and/or piecing fabric into strips that are 1 ½ times the width of the strip above it. Example: Waist size 20″, top tier is 30″ wide Middle tier is 45″ Bottom tier is 67″ I usually round up my numbers depending on the fabric. You can add seam allowance to this too if you are dividing the length of the fabric strips into more than one piece in “patchwork” design.
In order to do this you need to take the length of the strip and divide by they number of different fabric pieces you would like to have and add 1 1/4 ” to each piece. With right sides together, stitch and finish edges. Your final numbers for the size of the strips will be the length by the width as you have figured above. Example: Top Tier: 6 5/8″ X 30″ Middle Tier: 6 ¼ X 45″ Bottom Tier: 6 ¼ X 67″ *Hem the bottom strip before attaching the middle tier. *Fold over the top edge of the top strip to make casing for the elastic. Be sure to leave about 1″ of casing open to thread elastic through. *I usually make the skirt starting at the bottom/longest strip. It seems to be easier than starting at the top. Sew the strip ends together right sides together so that the strips are now in a circle.
Gather the top and pull the gathers even to fit on the next tier. Then sew right sides together, press, trim, and finish the edge. Repeat with the top strip adding it to the top of the middle strip. *Cut elastic to fit comfortably around waist, insert into casing and stitch the opening shut. It is ideal to hand wash your skirt in cold water and hang to dry. I have had some of my skirts make it into the washer and come out fine. Be sure to finish all seams in order to prevent fraying. Now your little spinning princess will have a great twirl skirt that didn’t break your pocket book. Be sure to grab a camera, still or video, because these pictures will be priceless.
