Circle Skirt Tutorial for Dollfie Dream (Pic Heavy)

Hey everyone,

 

A couple people were curious on how to make a skirt for Dollfie Dreams.

 

I'm no master seamstress, but I really wanted to make my own clothes. I've spent 2 weeks working on the "perfect" pattern - the one that is the easiest, simplest skirt I could make.

 

The skirt is naturally "poofy" so no need for underskirt or petticoats. If you use a knit fabric, it will not poof but drape more elegantly. You can also do double layers to make it even more creative.

 

Jayde has kindly offered to model some samples for you, so that you can see how it will look on your ladies:

 

 

 

 

2 Layered:

 

 

So, you will need:

 

Scissors

Thread

Bobbin of same thread (if using a sewing machine)

A thread remover thingy

 

 

Also,

 

The cloth you want (1 yard is plenty for this skirt)

Elastic (9 inches)

4 sheets of paper

 

 

And that's it! No pins, no steamer or iron necessary. Simple is key (for me at least).

 

So, the first thing we need to do is make our pattern. You can look up how to make circle skirt patterns online very easily. For Dollfie Dreams, I cut my pattern to be 5 inches. This makes the skirt hit the knees. You can easily make longer or shorter skirts.

 

 

Most circle skirt tutorials request you make 1 pattern - I suggest 4, because it makes it easier.

 

 

So, take your fabric and lay it flat across your table in 1 layer. Then spread the 4 patterns in a circle, like so:

 

 

Cut all around the edges, leaving a little bit extra. This extra become the hem of the skirt later.

 

 

When you remove the patterns, you will have a large circle:

 

 

Fold it in half.

 

 

Then fold again from left to right. You want a triangle.

 

 

Next, put 1 of the patterns back on the triangle like this:

 

 

Then cut off the top part of the triangle, leaving a little bit extra for the elastic.

 

 

Once you unfold it, you should have a doughnut, like so:

 

 

If you want, you can see if this will fit around your Dollfie's hips. If they do, great! If not, fold back up and cut a little bit more out.

 

Don't worry if it looks too large for the Dollfie's hips. The elastic will gather that all in and make it fit snug.

 

Ok, next we want to cut right through the fabric to the small hole:

 

 

The reason I am doing this (and no other circle skirt tutorial will do) is because the waist of the Dollfie is so small, it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to sew on elastic while still keeping it a circle. If you do it the original way, you will be fighting with pins, the skirt, AND the sewing machine because the circle is so tight.

 

So, by cutting it so you can get a straight line, it makes it so much easier.

 

Next, we will hem the edge of the skirt.

 

 

This part is also easier if you cut the skirt the way I did above, because you will be rotating the skirt less, and can make straight lines easier (which looks better for the hem.

 

Here is the hem from the inside:

 

And from the outside:

 

When you are done, it should look like this. We are not hemming where we cut the skirt, because those will be taken care of later.

 

 

Ok next we will do the elastic. With the elastic, you want to stretch the elastic while you sew it to the fabric. Place the elastic on the right side of the fabric....

 

 

and sew it along the length of the waist circle while stretching the elastic as you go. This is a little tricky, but very doable. I did this by hand before I bought my sewing machine.

 

A couple tips: If you have a sewing machine, set your stitch length to a longer stitch for more stretch.

 

 

When you are done, it should look like this:

 

 

Lay both sides of elastic flat like so, with the right side material facing in:

 

 

Then match up both sides of the circle...

 

From this:

 

To this:

 

Then sew from top to bottom. I recommend double stitching where the elastic is, because this area will get the most strain as you stretch the skirt over your Dollfie's hips.

 

 

When you are done, it should look like this. Mine is a bit messy because I backtracked all the way back to the top for extra strength. But that's ok! The great part about this skirt is that any mess is usually covered up.

 

 

And you are done!!

 

The elastic will pull inward, so you will have to flip the elastic to face the right side out...

 

Like this:

 

 

Here is the back. Remember that messy inside? When you put it on your doll, it will look just like another pleat.

 

Here is lovely Jayde modeling this skirt for you:

 

 

You can trim off any excess threads that may creep out from the fabric.

 

You can pull it down snug over your Dollfie's hips for more length, or let it slide up her waist.

 

 

You can also get really creative with this skirt! You can add layers, like I did with her Halloween outfit:

 

 

 

And some other skirts I made:

 

 

 

If you have any questions let me know.

 

I hope you enjoyed and happy sewing!

Good tutorial!

What I find easiest for doll-size is to grab a pencil, long thread and make a compass (anyone here still remember those metal drawing tools from school?) One end of the string is your center, the pencil is on string's other end. Hold string taut, draw your perfect circle!

 

Oooooh, another great way to hem that circle is to get another piece of fabric (or ribbon, or bias tape) and fold up the raw edge into it. Makes for a neat decorative edge

Thanks. You make it look so simple. I will have to try it.

 

FYI, that "A thread remover thingy" is called a seam ripper.

Thank you for the tutorial! Looks super easy and fun! I think I am going to have to make a few of them once I finish my current project! Can never have too many skirts!

 

Thanks for posting!

Thank you for this!

 

I've been dying to try my hand at sewing doll clothes again, but I have absolutely zero knowledge on pattern making. This is super helpful for me!

Thank you for posting this, I can't wait to finally restart on my dress. I had 0 knowledge on the elastic part, I always messed up on that. But this is very useful!

Thank you for the tutorial! You make it look so simple =v=

i will try to make one when i have time =P

is color elastic stains?

Hi everyone,

 

I'm really glad you enjoyed the tutorial!

 

So to answer some questions and comments:

 

Syanon - no, the elastic does not stain at all. I had Jayde wear a skirt with black elastic for 3 days - still no stain. I'll post the brand of the elastic when I get home.

 

Fishbuttz - I actually learned how to make the pattern off a youtube video. It was a really, really good video. Am I allowed to link that here for you?

 

Sinclair - Ahh, a seam ripper. Lol I knew it had a name. Thank you for telling me.

 

Chise - that's a great way to do it! I'll have to try that next time.

Also, GREAT idea on the hemming. I'm definitely going to try that as well. Another thing you can do is add lace on the edge. I'm going to try your idea though, it looks so pretty!

GREAT idea on the hemming. I'm definitely going to try that as well. Another thing you can do is add lace on the edge. I'm going to try your idea though, it looks so pretty!

 

well lace is just decorative adding, you can always add stuff! =P hemming to be super-pedantic is fixing up that raw edge outta sight & outta trouble

 

Your lovely post is inspiring me to make a lil skirt tutorial of my own now!

Would you be interested in a lil multi-tier skirt like the one in the picture? All the pieces are literally rectangles! It makes more sense on human-sized scraps, but for anyone who wants a full skirt but hasn't a piece big enuff to cut full circle....

Would you be interested in a lil multi-tier skirt like the one in the picture?

 

Yes please. I'd love all the info to make my little girl cute clothes. I just need to get my wife's sweing machine fixed so I can start trying this stuff out.

Thank you for such a great tutorial, it's so helpful,clear, and easy to understand.I will def. be using these in all my girls

Nice tutorial and pictures, thank you! I have tried one before, what bothers me a bit is that the "direction" of the fabric will be all over the place, but the patterned fabric you used sure makes it look nicer!