Doll Floofy Skirt

I'm trying something different. Here is a general set of instructions for making a flared doll skirt with tulle/mesh/lace underneath. The vibe is part Goth, part Harajuku. Best of all, you can make this for any size BJD in about an hour or so with NO pattern! (My photos show the making of a skirt for an MSD-sized doll.) While the amount of fabric varies depending on doll size, the construction is the same for any size doll (except tiny dolls Pukifee-sized or smaller--but that difference is only on the waistband).

Here's what you need:

If you haven't done so already, prewash your fabric. This will prevent shrinkage, and remove excess dye so it's a bit less likely to stain your doll.

Next, we need to measure and cut the fabric, and for this you're gonna need to do a tiny bit of very simple math. Here are the measurements you need (in inches, because that's what I used):

Now, cut two rectangles of your main skirt fabric, like so:

These will be your waistband and your main skirt.

Cut one rectangle of your tulle, mesh, or lace, like so:

(Yes, that says two times as long as D. You're going to fold this layer over.)


Next, you need to hem the bottom of your main skirt rectangle on the longer side (C). Fold it about 1/8 of an inch (3mm), then another 1/4 of an inch (about 6mm) and press both folds with an iron. (I didn't take a picture of this step.) Sew the fabric down so it stays folded. You now have a nice, neat hem for the bottom of your skirt.

Fold over 1/4 inch (6mm) of the short sides (D) of the main skirt rectangle, so that the raw edge shows on the WRONG SIDE of your fabric. Sew the fabric down so it stays folded. (No pictures of this step either.)

Fold your tulle in half lengthwise so it looks like your main skirt rectangle.

Line it up with your main skirt rectangle, so that the fold in the tulle is along the one raw edge that's left on your main skirt piece. Notice that the main skirt piece is now RIGHT side up, on top of the tulle.

Trim off the excess tulle along the side. Don't trim the bottom edge, because we want it to stick out.

Set your sewing machine to a long stitch length, or if there is a "gathering seam" preset, use that. Sew the folded edge of the tulle to your waistband. DO NOT cut the thread flush with your fabric! Leave long tails on each side.

Now for the fun part. Pull the back thread on each side to gather up your fabric. Do this until the gathered edge is about as long as A, minus ½ inch (1.2 cm). It will want to curve like this, and that's OK.

Now take your waistband rectangle, fold each short side (B) about 1/4 inch (6mm) in, and sew it down.

It's time to sew your waistband on to your skirt! If you're sewing for YoSD through SD sizes, put the waistband on top of the skirt edge so that the WRONG side of both the skirt and waistband are facing up. Sew it on. If you're sewing for tinies, the skirt piece will need to be RIGHT side up. (I know this is different. Trust me, it all works out. Just make sure that the waistband is WRONG side up, whichever size doll you're sewing for.)

Now, fold the waistband over like the pictures, so that the end is tucked under. (If sewing for tinies, do not do this step. Instead, fold down 1/4 inch of the waistband and sew it down.)

This next step requires extra precision, so go SLOWLY. You want to sew the waistband down onto the front of the skirt as close to the fold as you can without slipping off the waistband. Don't worry about whether it looks good on the back. Nobody can see the back. Focus on making the front look nice because everyone will be able to see that part. (For tinies, skip this step.)

Okay, take a deep breath. You're almost at the end. Fold the skirt in half so the ends match up and sew along the bright red line. Reinforce the top of the seam by backstitching a few stitches so it won't come apart.

It is time for VELCRO! Cut pieces that are about 1/4 inch (6 mm) shorter than the un-sewn part of your skirt. It doesn't matter which side is which, but I suggest sewing the scratchy piece onto the inside of your skirt, so it won't catch on the tulle. Then, sew the softer piece onto the outside of the other end. (The Velcro is partly-closed in this picture.)

You now have a skirt!

BONUS!! You know how I mentioned jump rings? Sew some at the bottom of your waistband and you can attach chains to your skirt!

Aww, look at her! Doesn't she look just like she hopped off the set of The Lost Boys?

"Are you sure this isn't too many chains?"

No such thing, dear.