| THE PANTIES There is a little bit of arguement as to exactly how this can be done. I used a two-way stretch lycra, although some other tutu fanatics will scream out that doubling up on bridal net (the flimsier stuff, normally comes in widths of about 2.4m or so) is the only way to go. Whichever way you do it, you have to remember that the panty actually attaches itself to the hem of the bodice- which means that you're going to have to widen the waistline, quite a bit! You're also going to have to lower it enough so that when you attach the panty onto the bodice, you don't have a 'saggy bit'. When you draft the panty out, or steal it (quite a lot of commercial pattern companies make swimsuit patterns. Just steal a bikini bottom, or leotard), you MUST make sure that it's not too high-cut around the leg. You're going to need that bit to attach the tulle onto. Please see picture below |
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| The bit between 'hipster waistline' and 'opening of leg' is a lot wider here- this is because you'll need it to sew the tulle onto! |
| The one here has a far too narrow waistline/opening of leg space. You'll probably only fit 2 or 3 layers of tulle on there (remember that the layers of tulle are about 1 inch apart, or slightly less.) |
| Now- remember that you do actually have to get a zip in here. If your panty pattern already have a Centre Back seam, you're fine. If it doesn't, here's how to do it: |
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| This is what your panty pattern piece may look like. Otherwise, it'll be in half with a fold line. You'll actually need to fold along the Centre Back line, and cut it. If you don't feel like cutting the actual pattern, just use butcher's paper or tracing paper to do a copy. Once you've cut your BACK pantry piece in half, add seam allowance. This is 1.5cm, or 5/8th of an inch. You may now sew both pieces of the BACK together. Don't sew it all the way though- you still do need to get that zip in. If you have time on your hands, press the seam opening. Otherwise, just join the sides of the FRONT and BACK piece together- but do NOT sew the crotch seam just yet! And do not sew the bodice and the panty together just yet! |
| The reason for not sewing the crotch seam is that you'll need it to be un-sewn when you're dealing with waves of tulle. You DON'T want to have to fiddle more than you have to. Click here to go back to the main page Click here to start working with the Tulle (tutu skirt) |