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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-16-2005, 08:54 PM (1 of 35)
OK, so I get a letter form choir teacher today. Kids are supposed to dress up 50's for the concert on the 23rd. No pressure right?  So I have been looking at patterns from the "big three". The skirts look the same. So I will just buy whichever one is on sale.Here is where I need help. What fabric was a real poodle skirt made from? If I am going to bother with making it I want it to be real not a costume. Where can I find a pattern for a shirt to go with it? None of the patterns come with a shirt pattern. Seems funny to me to call it a costume pattern and only give a pattern for a skirt. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 05-16-2005, 09:45 PM (2 of 35)
I didn't wear a poodle skirt but saw them on American Bandstand in the later 50's. Looked like they we're made of felt, I assume a washable felt. The poodles were appliqued on. Maybe someone else can help you more than me. The skirts were a large circle but no gathers on the waist band. Lots of can can slips was worn under them. These I did wear as a teen. More the better & starched so stiff they stood alone. I had 16 my mom made for me, worn all at same time. Thank heavens we had good ole Faultless starch that you cooked on the stove to make them so stiff. ( And we think the kids wear weird things today lol.)  Another thing teen girls wore in the 50's was real tight levis & men's white shirts with the collars turned up & tails tied in the front. To get the jeans tighter you sat in a bathtub of warm water with the jeans on, stood up & squeezed the water out & toweled down out of the tub. Let the jeans dry on you & they mold to your shape. I guess I'd better stop with that one.
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-17-2005, 11:53 AM (3 of 35)
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Last time I needed that pattern, it was in the costume section, and included the poodle applique pattern.. I bought the applique at Hancocks .. The authentic fabric was felt.. The blouse to wear with it was ordinary blouse with a small peter pan collar.. That means no points, the 'edges' are rounded.(edges, not points, you understand?) And saddle oxfords with socks rolled to make big puffy rolls on your ankles.. If it was cold, you wore a cardigan sweater with it..Oh yes, almost forgot a string of pearls around your neck.. The skirt is a complete circle with no gathers.. The joy of felt is no hemming..I remember how proud I was to have this outfit to wear when they first came out..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-17-2005, 12:03 PM (4 of 35)
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beachgirl, I remember seeing pictures of my mom dressed just like you say. Jeans and white shirt. Unfortunately she passed on before I needed her 50's expertise. So I have to ask my surrogate moms and big sisters here on the site. OK I have my skirt pattern and I am going to make her a simple blouse with a rounded collar. The sales lady at WalMart is my mom's age and I always bounce my ideas off her. She said they indeed were made out of felt and they wore tons and tons of crinolin underneath. She suggested that I buy a slip and sew the netting to that so her poor legs don't get scratched up. So I am going to try that. I am having a hard time picturing exactly how to do this but I will attempt it. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-17-2005, 12:08 PM (5 of 35)
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Libby, The pattern I have has other appliques like a cat and a bowling ball and pin. Are these authentic or did all the skirts have poodles? Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-17-2005, 01:23 PM (6 of 35)
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You can instead of pearls make a scarf the same color as the skirt. It is the sheer kind. The poodle was the biggest, but they also had bowling pins for when you went bowling. Remember the females wore basically skirts,dresses then espically out in public. Bowling was a big thing to do and the bowling pin went very well. The rolled up blue jeans were called dungrees. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-17-2005, 01:55 PM (7 of 35)
OK. Got the fabric washing I pull out the pattern to do my first read through. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nowhere on this pattern does it say what the finished waist size is.  It is a multisized pattern S-M-L with no measurments on the pattern back. All it tells me is how much fabric to buy and what notions I will need. When I am in a hurry I always just buy the amount of fabric for the largest size figuring I can use the scraps for something so I didn't even notice that there were no measurements .Am I wrong that the waist is the only measurment that really matters when making this skirt? Oh it does tell me the finished length which "DUH" is the same for all sizes because the only difference on the pattern piece is the width. I have a feeling this project is going to cause me at least one migraine!!! OK here is my question after a long rant. What is the best way to figure out the waist size is on this thing? I am thinking measuring the waistband and subtracting the seam allowance. Does that sound good? SummersEchos, With the time restriction, I think I'll go with the pearls, one less thing to sew. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-17-2005, 01:58 PM (8 of 35)
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SummersEchos, Bowling??? I can't imagine. Did you wear the crinoline while bowling? I think that a poofy skirt when bowling would make me give up. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-17-2005, 04:35 PM (9 of 35)
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I didn't I didn't like bowling. But if you are use to wearing that kind of poofy skirt, then going bowling with it would have been no big deal. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 05-17-2005, 05:46 PM (10 of 35)
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I had a poodle skirt.........I was ten or eleven and it was gray with red trim...........made of felt. We also wore twin sets with ours (light weight sweaters) and can can underskirts if you had them. We wore a chiffon type scarf around our neck or around our pony tail. I made a pink felt one a couple of years ago for my grand daughter who has NO waist and is very slim. I took in the waistband until I was afraid to anymore because my circle wouldn't have been a circle. Finally we tucked her knit shirt in and pinned the inside of the waist band to the shirt.........so she wouldn't lose it!! She wears it to the sock hop dances they have at my daughter's school. I don't sew garments much so it was NOT a work of art but she looked cute and we got lots of compliments. She loves dancing around and twirling in it. I got my applique at Walmart. My daughter had gotten one when she bought the felt and the pattern at Joann's but the one at Walmart was smaller. I said no way was I making another one.............but I will because she loves it so much. Good Luck!! Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-18-2005, 12:12 PM (11 of 35)
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Bowling balls , yes.. Saw a couple of cats, also.. I personalized my poodle , so it would be just a tad different.. I embroidered a leash curving up and around in a circle on the skirt.. About the crinolines.. use something next to the body that is comfortable.. add layers of netting with fishingline on edges to make them pouf out.. Horsehair or crinoline is probably impossible to find nowadays.. On the half slip, I sandwiched the netting between 2 layers of regular fabric.. and started the pouffy part below the hip line. If you do find horsehair or crinoline , remember to bind the edges.. Its real scratchy..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-18-2005, 02:18 PM (12 of 35)
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JoAnn fabrics sells the horsehair crinoline and petticoat. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-18-2005, 03:06 PM (13 of 35)
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I bought some netting. But after thinking about it I think I will go without. This is for a choir concert not a dance. They pack them on the risers like sardines. There won't be a lot of room for the skirt. I finished one skirt already for my 4 yr old. It is sew cute. I have the oldest daughter's all cut out and ready to sew. I want her to be here so I can make sure it fits her before I put it all together. It is amazing how fast these things are to make. Question: Do I have to use a hook and eye for the closure or did some people use buttons too? I'd have to go to the store for the hooks, buttons I have on hand. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 05-18-2005, 05:29 PM (14 of 35)
I used a hook and eye but that was because I was too lazy to make a button hole...........................  Like I said, not much of a seamstress. Quilts for the most part have straight seams and I can handle that. You will have to post a picture when they are all dressed up. Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-18-2005, 06:31 PM (15 of 35)
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Gina, when I was growing up, all skirts closed with buttons and buttonholes.. Hooks are a relatively new thing for skirt waistbands..Boy, y'all are making me feel old ! ! LOL Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-18-2005, 09:02 PM (16 of 35)
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Libby, Cool! I love buttons. I prefer them to all other type of fasteners. I have been having difficulties sewing the bigger one. I made the largest size and it is still not big enough. My daughter has a bit of a belly. So I am making the waistband longer and trimming off a bit in the inner circle. I am hoping this will work. I will post pictures when I have them all dressed up on Monday  . That is of course if I get them done. Still got to make the blouse.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-19-2005, 07:17 PM (17 of 35)
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My sister had a party one night before Christmas and all the girls made poodle skirts for Christmas...but instead of poodles, they had Christmas trees or bells with tons of beads and sequins...it was a fun party. I've also seen them with records on them. My ds always wore a fitted sweater with a padded pointed bra (remember those...scary things), hair pulled back in a pony tail and a sheer scarf. Along with just about the only shoe sold at the local department store...leather black and white saddle oxfords (of course) and bobby socks. If you were lucky and lived "in town" you might be able to find pink saddle oxfords. One Sunday morning we got in the car to go to church and she sat down. The can cans came up over her head and blocked dad's vision out of the back of 58 Chevy's car window...dad yelled back "Just how many can cans are you wearing." She pawed her way through the can cans to look at him and said "Seven"...then next thing I knew Mom was marching her to the house to get the can cans to a managable height. It was one of the funniest scenes I think I can remember. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-19-2005, 07:27 PM (18 of 35)
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To enlarge your skirt, you can add to the full lenth of the flat side of the circle (at the seamline). If you are cutting from a half circle, add to both sides...be sure and divide the anount in fourths. If you are measuring the waist measurment, be sure and measure at the seam line. It is not very difficult if you stand your tape on end to do the measurment. I never allow much more than half an inch ease for a skirt waistband.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 05-19-2005, 09:47 PM (19 of 35)
| We had a few problems setting at the school desk with so many can can slips on. Didn't take us long to learn how to manage them the right way. Now what was a wicked thing to wear sitting down ( unless you were very careful )was the hoop skirt slip. That was the 50's also. The wire in those slips sure had a mind of their own. LOL We sure had tiny waist though. That seemed to be the thing. Mine was 18" from middle school on through high school & some later. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-19-2005, 10:28 PM (20 of 35)
18 inches?????  That is smaller than my 4 yr old's and she is considered tiny for her age. Well so far it looks good. I have the skirt all done except the button and trimming off the bottom edge. The blouse is laid out on my cutting table waiting for me to get home from grocery shopping tomorrow. It is a simple pattern that I have sewn for her already so I should be able to whip it up pretty quick. Thanks everyone for your help and stories. They make me wish I grew up in the 50's. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-20-2005, 12:25 AM (21 of 35)
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I don't really understand what the differences are. Some people say that is has to do with the preservatives in our food. It wasn't that uncommon for a waist to be 18-20-22 inches. When I was growing up if your figure was 36-32-40, you were a size 18 and that was after the patterns were adjusted up for new sizing. New sizing was supposed to bring the patterns which were very small in lines with the RTW at the time. A lot has happened to RTW sizing since, and the pattern companies have relaxed a lot. The new sized patterns were HUGE compared to the old. The patterns didn't often run to size 18 and they cost a whole 25 cents. My grandmother had some that were 15 cents a piece. By the time I started sewing in the mid/late 60's the price had gone up to the outrageous price of 65-75 and by 1970, as they were phasing in "new sizing" the price was $1.25. Our shapes are not only larger than they were, but the proportions are different too. Of course, the three sized patterns are a new thing. Our patterns were one sized. Not only was it hard to get a pattern in a size 18, it was almost impossible to find a shoe that was size 10. The size 9 shoes were rather hit-and -miss because size 8 was large. When I was 9 yrs old I started needing size 10 shoes. There was only one pair in all of OK City and it was old and out of style and in the basement largest department store in town. It was $65.00 (an absolute fortune) and made of alligator. I thought I would die when my mother bought them. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-20-2005, 07:01 PM (22 of 35)
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I graduated from high school in 1952.. A size 10 had a 24 inch waist.. a size 12 had a 26 inch waist.. I wore a size 10 with pattern altered to size 12 in the hipline.. Patterns were 25 and 35 cents.. I still have some patterns that are priced under a dollar.. (I never throw patterns away.. ) That was a no-no.. Old habits die hard.. I just cannot bring myself to throw one away..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-23-2005, 05:20 PM (23 of 35)
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Well today is the day. I finished the skirts and blouses. This morning I threw together a couple of underskirts. Nothing like the can cans you ladies wore but something to give her a little shape. I'll take pictures tonight and hopefully have them posted tomorrow. Couldn't find sadle shoes in there sizes. So old one is going to wear a pair of these, http://www.payless.com/Images/beauty/021222_beauty.gif and little one found these http://www.payless.com/Images/beauty/040901_beauty.gif Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-23-2005, 05:42 PM (24 of 35)
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I'm sure they will be perfect! I wore saddle shoes from the time I came out of high tops until I was 9! I would have killed for some Dora shoes!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-23-2005, 10:42 PM (25 of 35)
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Concert is over. Pictures are up on my website. Check them out! (http://www.ginareidy.0catch.com/) You'll have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them. I still need to learn how to create new pages for my website so until then it will just keep growing in length. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-23-2005, 11:40 PM (26 of 35)
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Good Job! Now you need to make one for yourself!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-24-2005, 12:02 AM (27 of 35)
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Unfortunately I have not seen a pattern in my size nor have I found felt in my favortie color of blue. Not to many plus size woman run around in Poodle Skirts. DD #1 took the woman's large size, and I am quite a bit bigger around than she is. After making the smaller one I thought I would try to make a new fashion statment with poodle ponchos. DD #2's skirt fit DD #1 like a poncho. I joked around with her and told her I couldn't afford enough fabric to make her a skirt so she would have to wear the poncho instead. Almost had her believing it until she saw the pink fabric laying on the cutting table. I wanted to add that I think my girl was the best dressed out of the lot. Although there was one girl there who had proper cancans, and one who had musical notes (I thought about doing that after talking to you ladies and finding out that you often decorated the skirt to go with what you were doing). Most girls wore the dungarees and t-shirts or stuff that looked more 60's. One girl wore her mom's wedding dress from the 50's. I thought that was a bit odd on a 12 yr. old. Well anyway I am rambling on tonight on a caffeine high. Thank You again ladies for all your expertise and stories. I have benifited greatly form your vast knowledge. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 05-24-2005, 01:13 AM (28 of 35)
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What lucky girls to have a Mom that made sure they had the neatest outifts..........they will remember these always, especially the older girl! Good job Mom!! Thanks for sharing the finished project with us. Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: jennadawne
Date: 05-20-2006, 07:14 PM (29 of 35)
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Authentic poodle skirts were made from quality wool felt. Unfortunatly, it's almost impossible to find. Most people now make their poodle skirts from the craft felt that's available most anywhere. This synthetic felt doesn't fall as nicely as the original. Another fabric that is nice to use, and doesn't itch, is polyester. I work as a costumer and am costuming "Bye Bye Birdie" right now, and I'm using polyester for the poodle skirts because my actresses all have to dance and movement is key in the skirt fabric. I couldn't find a good poodle pattern either, so I used ovals, circles and rectangles of cheap craft felt and pieced a poodle together from a picture of my aunt's poodle. You also need a crinoline or petticoat underneath the skirt. Check your local theater if you have one, they'll probably rent you what you need relatively cheaply. jennadawne |
User: jennadawne
Member since: 05-16-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: esrun3
Date: 05-20-2006, 08:46 PM (30 of 35)
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Wow! I must have missed this thread somewhere along the line. Gina those skirts are adorable! Thanks for the trip down memory lane ladies. Altho I was born in 1954 I remember poddle skirts, the can can slips and those hateful, ugly saddle shoes that wore forever and forever and forever! I hated those things and was always mad at my Mom when she bought them and made me wear them!! LOL
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 05-20-2006, 10:07 PM (31 of 35)
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Lyn, I posted this last year. I had almost forgotten about making them. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 05-24-2006, 07:14 PM (32 of 35)
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I knoe it is a little late but anyone else who might need to make a poodle skirt can use this idea. I took a circle table cloth and cut out the center then i made a waste band in a similar color and sewed it on and added elastic it took about 10 mins to make. very easyif you want to make it for a smaller girl cut the middle out andgather it to the waste band it will make it very full with out the crinoline under it. just think the table cloth is already finished at the ends and you know how big of a pain it is to hem a circle skirt. Catherine    
Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: esrun3
Date: 05-24-2006, 10:28 PM (33 of 35)
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Lyn, I posted this last year. I had almost forgotten about making them. Gina, no wonder I didn't remember seeing the post! I never did look at the dates. LOL Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 05-25-2006, 10:24 AM (34 of 35)
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I wasn't looking at the dates either and thinking "how did I miss this entire thing!" Anyway, the skirts are adorable!!!! You did a wonderful job!
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 05-25-2006, 12:45 PM (35 of 35)
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Thanks for the compliments ladies. I had a lot of fun making them.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
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