Franklin Dean
Tulle underskirts are a great way to add length and volume to a wedding dress. They are affordable and simple to make, although tulle can be a little tricky to work with. This guide will take you through the process of creating a tulle underskirt, from preparing the tulle to sewing it into your dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tulle skirt benefits | Adds fullness to a dress without needing too much fabric; can add length to a short dress |
| Preparation | Ensure the tulle is as flat as possible (do not roll it up or put it in a bag); fold it up and sit it in the front seat of your car or put it in a closet |
| Wrinkled tulle | Spray with water and lay flat or hang on a hanger for a few days to straighten out; do not iron the tulle |
| Cutting | Cut a long strip of tulle that is at least double the width of your skirt; use a rotary cutter or scissors |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right fabric
Tulle is a great way to add length and fullness to a wedding dress without needing too much additional fabric. When choosing the right fabric for a tulle underskirt, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, tulle is available in various colours, so make sure to select a colour that complements the wedding dress. White, ivory, or cream tulle would be traditional choices for a wedding dress, but you could also consider a coloured tulle for a more unique look.
Another important consideration is the quality of the tulle. Good quality tulle will be made from 100% nylon or polyester and will feel soft and smooth to the touch. It should also have a nice drape and fall gracefully when gathered. Avoid cheap, low-quality tulle, as it may be scratchy and stiff and will not create the desired full and flowy look for the underskirt.
When purchasing tulle, avoid rolling it up, as it can wrinkle easily. Instead, toss it into a bag and leave it scrunched up. If it does get wrinkled, you can spray it with a little water and lay it flat or hang it on a hanger to straighten it out. Do not iron tulle, as it will melt.
Finally, consider the amount of tulle you will need. A tulle underskirt can require a lot of fabric, especially if you are creating multiple layers. To determine the amount of tulle needed, measure the width of your skirt and cut a long strip of tulle that is at least double the width. For example, if your skirt is 30" across, cut a strip of tulle that is at least 60" long. If you are adding multiple layers, you will need to purchase enough tulle to create each layer.
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Cutting the tulle
Cutting tulle can be a little tricky, but with patience and practice, it can be done. First, ensure your tulle is as flat as possible. Avoid rolling it up; instead, fold it and store it flat. If it does get wrinkled, spray it with water and lay it flat to dry. Do not iron tulle, as it will melt.
When you are ready to cut, use either a rotary cutter or scissors. If you are using scissors, use long cuts on single material. The fullness of the skirt will hide any imperfections, so don't worry too much about getting it perfectly even. If you are using a rotary cutter, you can cut up to four layers at once if your cutter is sharp. Lay another mat over the material to decrease slipping.
To cut your tulle to size, first measure the width of your skirt. Cut a long strip of tulle that is at least double the width of your skirt. You can then add this to your underskirt to create a beautiful, full look for your wedding dress.
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Measuring the underskirt
First, you need to measure the width of your skirt. This measurement will serve as the baseline for the rest of the underskirt construction. For example, if your skirt measures 30" across, as mentioned in one tutorial, you will use this value for subsequent calculations.
The next step is to cut a long strip of tulle fabric. The length of this strip should be at least double the width of your skirt. So, if your skirt is 30" wide, your tulle strip should be at least 60" long. This extra length ensures that the tulle underskirt adds fullness and length to your wedding dress.
When working with tulle, it's important to keep it as flat as possible. Tulle fabric has a tendency to wrinkle easily. To avoid this, carefully fold the tulle and handle it gently. If wrinkles do appear, a helpful suggestion is to lightly spray the fabric with water and lay it flat or hang it on a hanger to straighten out the creases. It is important to note that you should not attempt to iron tulle, as it may melt.
The measuring process also involves determining the desired length of the underskirt. This measurement will depend on the overall design of the wedding dress and the height of the wearer. You can measure the hem from the floor up to ensure the underskirt complements the height of the person wearing the dress.
Finally, you can proceed to cut the tulle fabric. Accordion-fold the tulle, keeping it tight in your hands, and slowly add the skirt lengths. This process ensures that each layer of the underskirt is evenly distributed and aligned. If you are adding multiple layers, it may become more challenging to manage the fabric with your hands, so you can consider splitting the tulle into halves to simplify the cutting process.
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Sewing the underskirt
For the tulle, cut a long strip that is at least double the width of your skirt. The tulle adds fullness and length to your dress, so you may want to consider how many layers of tulle you wish to add. Each layer will require a long strip of tulle, so plan accordingly. The more layers you add, the more dramatic the effect, but also the more challenging it is to manage the fabric.
When you buy your tulle, keep it as flat as possible. Tulle wrinkles easily, so if it does get creased, spray it with a little water and lay it flat to straighten out. Do not iron tulle, as it will melt.
When you are ready to sew, you can use a rotary cutter to cut the tulle, or scissors for single layers of fabric. The fullness of the skirt will hide any small imperfections, so don't worry too much about getting it perfectly even.
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Hemming the underskirt
Preparing the Tulle Fabric:
Before you begin hemming, it's essential to select a smooth and unwrinkled tulle fabric. Use a steam iron or a press cloth to ensure the fabric is free of any creases or wrinkles. Tulle is a thin, net-like fabric, often synthetic, and it can be challenging to remove wrinkles once they set in.
Securing the Layers:
A tulle underskirt typically has multiple layers of fabric gathered together. To secure these layers before hemming, you can use hand-basting or pinning. Hand-basting involves stitching the layers together by hand, ensuring a secure hold. Pinning is faster but requires careful handling as straight sewing pins may not hold well in tulle. One trick is to cut small rectangles of felt and pin through them for added stability.
Cutting the Hem:
When all the layers are secured, you're ready to cut the hem. For the cleanest and most even edges, use a rotary cutter or a serger blade. Install a fresh blade, lay the skirt on a cutting mat, and cut along the marked hemline in a smooth motion. If using scissors, it's best to place the skirt on a wearer or a dress form to ensure accuracy. Remember to cut with smooth, even strokes and trim any jagged bits with small scissors.
Resewing the Seam Ends:
After cutting the hem, you'll need to resew the seam ends. Restitch the bottom few inches of the seams, backstitching when you reach the hem edge. Reinforcing the seams at the hemline is crucial to prevent them from coming undone.
Troubleshooting:
If you encounter a wavy hem, you may need to adjust the differential feed on your sewing machine to reduce the waviness. Additionally, when working with tulle, it's essential to cut and hem multiple layers together to maintain an even hem circumference.
Creating a tulle underskirt for a wedding dress is a delicate task, but with patience and attention to detail, you can achieve a beautiful and full underskirt that complements the wedding dress perfectly.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the width of your skirt. Then, cut a long strip of tulle that is at least double the width of your skirt. You can add more layers to make the underskirt puffier, but this will be more difficult to handle.
You can use a rotary cutter to cut the tulle, but it is not necessary. If you use scissors, make long cuts on single material. Tulle is very forgiving, and small imperfections will not be noticeable.
Tulle wrinkles easily, so it should be kept as flat as possible. Fold it up and put it in the front seat of your car or closet. If it does get wrinkled, spray it with water and lay it flat or hang it on a hanger for a few days. Do not iron the tulle, as it will melt.
