Party Dress Practice: The Underskirt

Underskirt.  What the heck is it?  Basically it's material that goes under the main part of a dress that will give the skirt more flounce or volume.  There are several ways it can be achieved.  In the past women wore a hoop skirt.  There is no way I'm making a hoop skirt!  Petticoats serve the same purpose, but are a pain to make.  Seriously.  One of the best ways to give a party dress that voluminous look is with a ruffled underskirt.

I picked the underskirt as the first practice piece mainly because I wanted to learn to make ruffles.  I won't get too technical about it but, as you will see, i found that I LOVE making ruffles.  But that too is down the line.  First you need fabric to make the garment to which the skirts will be attached.

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you!  That is pink!  I figured why not use a happy color for a possible disaster?  I had this remnant in the bureau made by my brother (that's another post) that I designated for the skirt.  I folded it in half and sewed an inch seam in which to insert the elastic that would later be used to hold up the skirt.  A few more seams and folds, plus attaching the material for the underskirt and voile!

I was on my way.

By the way, that's Victoria.  My dress form.  She is invaluable.  Also?  A super cheap buy on eBay.  When she sports formal wear she goes by Victoria.  But informal?  She's Vicki all they way, y'all.

By the way.  I am not using a pattern for this.  That's right.  Making it up as I go.  Consider it trademarked and copyrighted.  Heh.

So once the measurements were determined and the primary construction took place it was time to ruffle.  Also clean up the mess in the dining/office/sewing room.  Next up-on to the ruffles!