Any Pettiskirt Tips?

Tia,
I have the ultimate ruffler, too.  I got it to work fine for a while on the chiffon, but then ran into trouble.  I called my sewing center, and they suggested that I adjust the presser gauge on my machine (I have a Janome MC 9500).  It's the round gauge on the top of the machine with a 1, 2, and 3 on it.  I was on "2" and it worked for a while...  I turned it to "1" and it seems like it's working again.  Will keep my fingers crossed.  Good luck!
Jamie

If anyone is intetested, I now have a full blown tutorial for sale on my website. It has about 30 pages of instruction and over 30+ full color phots with step by step instructions! You can find it here:

http://kerriskreations.com/catalog.php?category=73

Thanks,
Kerri

hi i can't wait to get it!

Thanks for all the great instructions and tips!


I used 4 yards for the light pink skirt, and 5 yards for the fuchsia ruffle-fluff. If I had to do it again, I'd use around 8 yards for the fluff, and 6 for the skirt. I wasn't happy with the see-though-ness of the skirt and would have liked it to be a bit fuller.



A few more pictures:
http://igotanotion.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/pettiskirt-success/

I love these skirts!  Thanks for all the great tips!  I'm definitely bookmarking this thread.

I was wondering how transparent these skirts are...I know the chiffon is transparent in nature, but are three layers still see through?  Which kind of fabric would you use and would you sew the liining in the same pattern as the three tiers or just a drop skirt?

Thanks for all the great tips!

I am hoping to make one of these for my daughter as well.  I live in Australia and have just been to the largest local fabric store and they say they havent stocked nylon chiffon since the 80's and it isnt something they were likely to stock.  Does anyone know if you can use any other material?  Or if nylon chiffon might be known as something else?  Just a thought.

Thanks so much in advance for your help

I have placed a lining in a pettiskirt before, but I didn't like the way it looked. I used the same satin charmuese as I make the waistband with and I just did an a-line skirt, no tiers, no gathering. I simply added it in as I was connecting the inner layer to the waistband. They really aren't THAT see-thru, especially if you don't skimp on the gathering! You could also do tights or leggings underneath.

The nylon chiffon is not usually sold in fabric stores. You have to buy it online. AFC Express if a good source. Their shipping can be expensive, but sometimes they offer free shipping on orders over $100.00.

HTH,
Kerri

Hi,
I want to make one of these pettiskirts for myself (I am 25 years old! haha) and I see that you have all been discussing the yardage to make one of these for a child... could anyone venture a guess as to how much fabric I'll need to make one for me? I don't want a long one, I want to make more of a Tutu Pettiskirt (maybe a bit longer, but definitely above the knee). Any suggestions? guidance? 
Thanks!
Caitlin 

After reading all the replies about the difficulty gathering I am a little intimidated to start. =( I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate your responses.

1. I've never used a gathering foot before. What does it look like?

2. On the Martha Stewart video where she explains how to make a pettiskirt she says to shir to make the ruffles. I always thought shirring was simply using elastic thread in the bobbin but I don't think that would apply to making ruffles for a pettiskirt?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

A gathering foot is usually a square-shaped foot something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Singer-Gathering-Foot/dp/B00083KXE2
There is also a ruffling foot, but I find them a little harder to use and they look like this: http://www.amazon.com/Singer-086742-Ruffler/dp/B002GD8ATM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256322799&sr=1-3

You must remember when using your gathering foot, you need to increase your stitch length and increase your tension in order to produce the gathers. A gathering foot is usually quite a bit cheaper than a ruffler and is simple to use. I have both type of feet, but prefer my gathering foot.

And for your second question, you are right in that shirring usually refers to gathering with an elastic thread. In the case of pettiskirts, this would not be how you'd want the layers gathered. The layers are gathered with regular thread in both the bobbin and needle. You want your gathers to be permanent and not stretch as in the case with most shirring.

This is all great info!  I've started mine and know this is going to be a very slow project!!  So I have 1 question -  for my fluff I purchased 5 yds and cut it all in to 2 inch strips. So I basically have 90 strips that are 2 in wide and 44 in long. Is this enough for a 3/4 toddler skirt?  How tightly do I gather the fluff?  I tried a few and gathered it super tight so the 44 inches gathered up to 9 inches. Is this about right?  Too much?  I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and I'm just starting lol!  Any additional advice would be hugely appreciated!

Yes, your ruffle fluff should work fine. I used 90 strips gathered down to 8" and it worked fine for my skirt. Here is the link to my blog post which has more details: http://mushroomvillagers.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/pretty-petti/

thank you! I'm about half way done.  ACK! It's a ton of work, yet I some how feel like I'll want to make many of these.  Of course I need to invest in a ruffler foot (anyone recommend a great one that is compatible with a brother SE-270D?). 

I'm hoping it comes out as full as the ones posted! I've done one layer and I feel like the skirt part is barely gathered.  I did 6 strips for the bottom and 3 for the top and it's definitely a light gather.  so hopefully once the top layer is gathered and then inside layer is added it'll look nice and full and not see thru. 

And  my questions continue. Ok so used 6 strips for the bottom tier.  Gathered and attached them to the top tier which I had as 3 strips but honestly I ended up taking a strip away and had it be just 2 strips. So even with it like that, the bottom seems barely gathered. Is this right?  I'm just so worried it won't be full. I'm about to start the 2nd layer and I almost wonder if I should do more than 6 strips for the bottom. Any thoughts?