The poodle skirt was a fashion icon of the 1950s. Whether you're going to a costume party or dressing up for a play, if you wear a poodle skirt, the people around you will automatically know what era you are supposed to represent. Here's what you need to know to sew your own poodle skirt.
Instructions
Make a Circle Skirt
1. Take measurements of the person who will be wearing the poodle skirt. You will need to know the waist measurement and the length from the waist to just above the ankle.
2. Make sure you have enough fabric. You will need two rectangles of fabric. The long side of each rectangle will need to be two times the length from the waist to just above the ankle. The short side of each rectangle will be the single length.
3. Mark the middle of your fabric. Take one rectangle, and put it in front of you so that the longer side goes right to left. Using tailor's wax or chalk, mark the middle of the long side at the top and bottom of the rectangle. Do this to the second rectangle.
4. Draw in the arc at the bottom of the skirt. Tie a piece of tailor's chalk to a string. Then cut the string so that it is as long as the length from the waist to above the ankle. Hold the loose end of the string at the top center mark you made in Step 3. Pull the string so that it is taut. Use it to draw the half circle at the bottom of the skirt. Do this to the second rectangle as well.
5. Draw the arc that will form the waist of the skirt. Take your string and tailor's chalk. Cut the string so it is half as long as the waist measurement. Put the loose end of the string at the top center mark. Pull the string so that it is taut. Draw an arc. Do the same to the other rectangle.
6. Cut along the arcs you drew with tailor's chalk. You will now have both halves of your poodle skirt.
7. Sew the sides of your skirt. Put the front sides of the two pieces of fabric facing each other. Sew one side from bottom to top. Sew the second side starting at the bottom but stopping about three inches from the top.
8. Finish your skirt. Add peel and stick Velcro to the seam you left open in Step 7. Hem the bottom of the skirt so that it will have a finished edge.
Add Poodle Embellishments
9. Add a poodle decal. You can buy a poodle decal from most fabric or costume stores. If you buy a decal, follow the directions for applying it.
10. Make your own poodle decal. You can do this by printing an image of a poodle on iron-on paper. Place the iron-on transfer you made face down on your skirt and press down with a hot iron. Follow the directions that came with the iron-on transfer paper.
11. Add three-dimensional embellishments. Many poodle skirts have poodles with polka dot scarves or rhinestone leashes. You can make a scarf by cutting a little rectangle of fabric. Tie a knot at the back end, and sew it to your poodle decal. You can make a rhinestone leash by simply sewing sequin ribbon onto your skirt.
Tags: poodle decal, poodle skirt, tailor chalk, your poodle, your skirt