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How to Make a Balloon Skirt

Balloon skirts, also known as bubble skirts, are popular for babies and young girls as well as for teens and young adults. The skirt balloons out at the bottom because the outer fabric is longer than the inner fabric and because there is elastic gathering the bottom of the skirt. The skirts are fashionable and very versatile. A balloon skirt can be worn with a tank top or even sewn onto a corset or bodice to make a dress.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Inner fabric
Outer fabric
Scissors
1/4-inch elastic
1/2-inch elastic

Instructions

- 1
  Take measurements of the waist and from the waist to the desired length of the skirt. Add 1.5 inches to the length of the interior fabric and 3.5 inches to the length of the exterior fabric. Cut these fabric rectangles to size. Cut the 1/2-inch elastic to the waist measurement and the 1/4-inch elastic to the waist measurement plus 10 inches.
- 2
  Fold one piece of fabric with the printed sides together. Make sure your fold is vertical, and align the ends. Sew a seam 1/2 inch from the edge. Do the same thing with the other piece of fabric.
- 3
  Turn the interior piece of fabric right-side out, and slip it inside the wrong-side-out exterior fabric. Align the bottom edges. Sew a seam 1/4 inch from the bottom edge. Move up a 1/2 inch and sew another seam. Leave the last few inches of this seam open.
- 4
  Feed the 1/4-inch elastic through the casing, and stitch the ends of the elastic together to cinch the bottom of the skirt. Sew the opening in the seam closed. Turn the entire skirt right-side out.
- 5
  Fold the top of the outer fabric over the inner fabric about 1 inch to create the waist band. Sew a seam 3/4 of an inch from the top. Leave a small opening to feed the 1/2-inch elastic through. Sew the ends of the elastic together, and stitch the remainder of the seam.

Sewing