The Pettiskirt

Before I write about my pettiskirt adventure, I wanted to share with you how I edited this photo. Below is the before shot ...

First, I used PW's colorize action. Second, I cropped it. Third, I added the pixie dust via this pixie dust photoshop tutorial (very easy to follow). Lastly, I darkened the edges with PW's quick edge burn action. I love learning something new with photoshop!

Now for the pettiskirt. It's STILL not finished, but it's close enough to share =) Plus, I wont be able to finish the skirt this week and I wanted to write a post about it while it's still fresh on my mind. The truth is.... it's not that difficult to make. Now that I've made one, I totally feel fine about making another one. In fact, I've even entertained the thought of a making a black one in my size, but quickly dismissed it as an 80's relapse moment.

Here is the front of the skirt....

The bottom of the skirt is purposely hidden, because that's the part that is unfinished. I intend to sew a rolled hem on the top layer and finish the white tulle ruffle on the bottom layer.

To make the pettiskirt, I used the Martha Stewart Show Pettiskirt tutorial by Kandi Lightner. Below are some pointers if you are going to make a pettiskirt using this tutorial:

1. Watch the video before you begin sewing. Be sure to make notes on your tutorial paper such as what direction to fold the waist band, where the button hole placement is, where to attach front and back ruffles. The previously mentioned points are not very clear in the written directions.

2. Finish the raw edges. Unlike tulle, this material does fray very quickly.

3. The measurements for the pettiskirt tutorial (in my opinion) are for a toddler and not a 6 year old who wears a size 8. Unless I overlooked it, the tutorial never mentions what size it's for. I assumed the pettiskirts displayed on the mannequins in the tutorial looked to be the same size as my daughter. Bad assumption. This is what made the task very challenging. The pettiskirt only has 2 tiers per layer of chiffon.  After the second tier, I realized the skirt was too short, so I added another tier. Every time I added a tier, I had to double the amount of fabric. I was sewing 4 EVER! Sheering and sewing, sheering and sewing......etc. I suggest measuring the length you desire, then replace the tutorial lengths measurements with yours. The width measurements are fine, it's the length measurements that are in question. This would have saved me a lot of time, money, and repentance for the curse words I kept saying..... in my mind.


In the end, I am very happy I made it for her. Before I made it, I thought it would be a neat pixie play outfit for B-girl. Now, as soon as it's finished, B-girl is required to eat, sleep, and go to church in it. 


Jamie