Creating A Tulle Wedding Petticoat: A Step-By-Step Guide

Tulle is a popular fabric for wedding dresses and petticoats, and it's easy to see why: it's affordable, widely available, and gives any skirt or dress a voluminous, ethereal look. Tulle petticoats are also a great DIY project for sewers of all skill levels. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make your own tulle wedding petticoat, from measuring and cutting the fabric to assembling and finishing your petticoat. So grab your sewing kit and some tulle, and let's get started!

Choosing the right fabric

Fabric Type

The type of fabric you choose will impact the volume and structure of your petticoat. Tulle is a popular choice due to its stiffness, which creates volume and "oomph." It also comes in various colours, allowing you to add a pop of colour to your petticoat. If you're looking for something less stiff, chiffon is a good option for the top tier as it is smooth and comfortable. Taffeta is another fabric that can add volume to your petticoat. For a softer silhouette, lightweight tulle with just a few layers can be used, while stiff net tulle is ideal for a voluminous, traditional princess silhouette.

Fabric Colour

When choosing the colour of your fabric, consider whether you want it to match or complement your wedding dress. Ivory, white, and nude are traditional colours for wedding petticoats, but you can also add a unique touch with colours like pink, black, or even glitter tulle. If you want to make a rainbow petticoat, layer different colours of tulle!

Fabric Amount

The amount of fabric needed depends on the length and number of layers you want for your petticoat. A good rule of thumb is to buy about 4 to 5 yards of fabric for each layer. If you're using multiple layers, you may need more fabric. For the waistband, cut a piece of fabric that fits around your waist, and for the skirt, cut six pieces of tulle at the desired length. Remember to allow for seam allowances when calculating fabric requirements.

Fabric Width

The width of the fabric will determine the fullness of each tier. For a more balanced look, consider making the lower tiers wider than the upper tiers. Calculate the desired width for each tier based on the length of your petticoat and the number of tiers. Remember that the tiers should double in circumference as you move down, so plan your fabric cuts accordingly.

Measuring the length

Measure the Length of Your Skirt:

• Start by finding the skirt or dress that you plan to wear over your petticoat.
• Measure the length from the waist seam of the skirt or dress down to the bottom hem.
• Subtract 1 inch (2.5 cm) from this measurement. This is because petticoats are typically designed to be about 1 inch shorter than the skirt or dress.

Determine the Width of Each Tier:

• Take the new measurement from step 1 and divide it by 3.
• Now, add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to this number to account for the seams. This will give you the width for each of the 3 tiers of your petticoat.
• For example, if your skirt length is 25 inches (64 cm), your petticoat length would be 24 inches (61 cm). Each tier would then be 8 inches (20 cm) wide, plus an additional 1 inch (2.5 cm) for the seams, resulting in a final width of 9 inches (23 cm).

Cut the Fabric Strips:

• Based on the width calculations from step 2, cut your fabric into strips of the following lengths: 2 yards (1.8 meters), 4 yards (3.7 meters), and 8 yards (7.3 meters).
• You will need one 2-yard strip for the top tier, one 4-yard strip for the middle tier, and two 4-yard strips for the bottom tier, which you will sew together.
• Use the width measurement from step 2 for the width of each strip.

Assemble the Tiers:

• Sew the two 4-yard strips together for the bottom tier.
• If desired, you can add a ribbon hem to the bottom edge of the fabric strip. Cut an 8-yard (7.3-meter) length of 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide satin ribbon, fold it over the bottom edge, and sew it in place.
• Sew the ends of the bottom tier together to create a ring, ensuring that the right sides of the fabric are facing in and the seams are facing out.
• Repeat a similar process for the middle tier, sewing the ends together to form another ring.
• For the final fabric strip, hem the narrow edges by folding and sewing them, or use ribbon for a nicer finish.

By following these steps, you will have successfully measured and cut the fabric for your tulle wedding petticoat, ensuring that the length of each tier is appropriate for your desired skirt or dress.

Cutting the fabric

First, decide on the length of your petticoat. It is recommended that the petticoat be about one inch shorter than the dress or skirt you plan to wear it with. Measure the skirt from the waist seam to the bottom hem, then subtract one inch from that measurement. This new measurement is the length of your petticoat.

Next, determine the number of layers or tiers you want your petticoat to have. Each layer will consist of strips of fabric that are sewn together to form rings. The top layer will be the shortest strip of fabric, and each subsequent layer will be longer, creating a fuller shape.

Calculate the width of each tier by dividing the length of your petticoat by three, then adding one inch for the seams. This will give you the width of each strip of fabric. Cut the fabric into strips according to the width and length of each tier. For example, if your petticoat length is 24 inches, each tier would be eight inches wide. So, for a three-tier petticoat, you would cut one eight-inch wide strip for the top tier, one sixteen-inch wide strip for the middle tier, and two twenty-four-inch wide strips for the bottom tier.

If you are using tulle, consider the direction of the grain when cutting the fabric. The grain refers to the threads that run lengthwise and crosswise through the fabric. Cutting the tulle along the grain will give your petticoat more body and structure. Cutting it against the grain will create a softer, draping effect.

Once you have cut all your fabric strips, you are ready to start assembling your petticoat!

Assembling the tiers

Now that you have cut your fabric into the required strips, it's time to assemble the tiers of your petticoat.

For the bottom tier, sew the two 4-yard (3.7-m) strips together. Place the strips with their narrow ends together and sew using a 0.5-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance and a straight stitch. To finish, use a zigzag stitch or an overlock stitch over the raw edges for a neater look. You should now have a strip that is about 8 yards (7.3 m) long.

At this point, you can add a ribbon to the bottom hem of the bottom tier. Cut an 8-yard (7.3-m) length of 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide satin ribbon, fold it over the bottom edge of the fabric strip, and secure it with pins. Sew the ribbon as close to the edge as possible, using a matching thread colour and a straight stitch. You will now have a 0.5-inch (1.3-cm) ribbon hem. Remember to remove the pins and backstitch to prevent the thread from unravelling.

Next, sew the ends of the bottom tier together to create a ring. Fold the strip in half, ensuring the right sides are facing in and the seams are facing out. Sew across the narrow ends with a 0.5-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance and a straight stitch. Finish the raw edges with a zigzag or overlock stitch.

For the middle tier, take the 4-yard (3.7-m) strip and bring the narrow ends together to form another ring. Sew across them with a straight stitch and a 0.5-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance. Finish the raw edge with a zigzag or overlock stitch, just like you did for the bottom tier.

Finally, for the top tier, hem the narrow edges of the remaining fabric strip. Fold both narrow ends by 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) and sew them down using a straight stitch. Alternatively, you can hem the edges with a 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide ribbon, similar to the bottom tier.

Finishing the hem

Now that you've assembled the tiers of your petticoat, it's time to finish the hem. This will give your petticoat a nice, clean look and prevent the fabric from fraying. Here are the steps to finish the hem:

• Fold and pin the ribbon: Cut a length of satin ribbon that matches the colour of your fabric. The ribbon should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and long enough to cover the bottom hem of the petticoat. Fold the ribbon over the bottom edge of the fabric and secure it with pins.
• Sew the ribbon in place: Using a thread colour that matches the ribbon, sew the ribbon to the fabric as close to the edge as possible. Sew a straight stitch and remember to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the thread. Remove the pins when you're done.
• Create the waistband: Cut a piece of twill tape or satin ribbon that is 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) longer than your waist size. The ribbon should be 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide and match the colour of your petticoat. Hem the ends of the ribbon by folding and pressing them, then sew them down.
• Attach the waistband: Align the left end of the ribbon with the left edge of the petticoat. The right end of the ribbon should extend past the right edge of the petticoat. Sew the ribbon in place, starting at the left end and finishing on the right. Sew as close to the edge of the ribbon as possible and remember to backstitch.
• Add hooks and eyes: Sew a hook to the underside of the left end of the waistband and add eyes to the top of the right side. The first eye should align with the right edge of the petticoat. If you have enough room, add more hooks along the excess waistband. Keep the additional eyes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.

Your tulle wedding petticoat is now complete! You can add more tiers or layers to create a fuller look, or decorate the hem with lace or ribbon for a more personalised touch. Remember to allow enough room to walk and dance comfortably in your petticoat!

Frequently asked questions