How to Make Bridal Petticoats
- 1). Determine how long the petticoat should be. It should be at least 1 inch shorter than the inner skirt or slip of your bridal gown. Add 2 inches to the total length to allow for seam allowances.
- 2). Draw lines to cut out two 4-yard-long, 16-inch wide strips of fabric. These will form the bottom tier of your petticoat. If you are using crinoline, be sure to apply seam sealant on the pencil lines before cutting out the fabric.
Then draw the lines to cut out one 4-yard strip of fabric. Cut this strip in half so you have two 2-yard strips of fabric. These will form the middle tier.
Finally, draw and cut out one 2-yard-long,16-inch-wide strip in half so you have two 1-yard strips. These will form the top tier. - 3). Sew together the two 4-yard strips using French seams to make an 8-foot long bottom tier. Finish the seams by covering with the ribbon and sewing. Sew two rows of basting stitches at the top of the tier so that you can gather the fabric later.
- 4). Repeat Step 3 for the two 2-yard strips of fabric to create a 4-foot long second tier, and the two 1-yard strips for the final top tier.
- 5). Make a notch in each tier at the center point, and line the tiers up together to attach them. Gather the bottom tier and attach to the bottom of the second tier. Attach with pins and sew with a half-inch seam allowance. Sew ribbon to cover the seam. Repeat this step on the second tier.
- 6). Cut a seam at the middle point of the top tier that is long enough to accommodate stepping into the petticoat and pulling it up to your waist. Hem the seams with ribbon to finish. Cut the twill tape the same length as your waist measurements, and gather the material at the top of the tier to the tape. Sew.
- 7). Cut a piece of the ribbon 3 inches longer than the twill (or waist) measurements, and fold it over the unfinished twill seam and sew. The extra ribbon will be used for the hook and eye closures, so once you have sewn it over the twill seam, continue to sew the extra ribbon section to finish it.
- 8). Sew the three eyes of the hook and eye closures spaced evenly on the extra ribbon flap at the top of the petticoat. Sew the hook on the inside of the edge of the open seam on the back of the top tier, so that you can close the petticoat at your waist at the desired tightness.
