Hula skirts are a form of traditional Hawaiian dress, and are generally made out of raffia, or palm fibers that are stripped and woven together. The original idea was to create a skirt that was knee length or longer and would provide a swishy movement in accompaniment to the wearer's dancing. Although costume hula skirts are now made out of many different materials, making one out of fabric is probably the easiest way you can do it yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose 2 yards of non-stretchy cotton fabric in the color of your choice. Check the fabric before you buy it to make sure it does not fray easily. Percale is a good pick.
2. Fold the fabric evenly in half. Sew a straight seam 2-1/2 inches from the middle crease, securing the two sides together. Trim the open, bottom portion of the fabric to the skirt length you want.
3. Thread a ribbon that is 2 inches wide through the tube you just made in the material. Keep several inches of excess ribbon even on each side.
4. Starting at the bottom, cut 1-inch strips in the fabric all the way up to the seam (but be careful not to cut through it). Do this all the way across the material.
5. Cinch in the material along the ribbon until it is the appropriate waist size. Tie the skirt around your waist and adjust the amount cinched to make sure the skirt is even all the way around. Tie the ribbon in back to secure.
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