DIY Network

Dance Wrap Skirt Put a little dance in your step with this youthful wrap skirt that's fit for a ballerina! From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-126

Candi Cane makes a ballet-inspired dance skirt that can be worn anytime over jeans or tights. The skirt is made from the body of an oversize sweater with elastic added for the waistband and appliqué shapes sewn on. The finishing touch: using a zigzag stitch at the hem to create a ruffled edge.

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	Dance Wrap Skirt
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Materials:

old oversized sweater
pretty satin ribbon (double the measurement of the skirt)
needle and thread
sewing machine

1. Measure waist, then add half of that measurement (e.g., if the waist is 28", then you will add 14" for a total width of 42"). This will be the width, as this is a wrap skirt. Measure down from waist to the length that you would like the skirt to be (dance skirts can be short, but measure the length from the back to make sure it covers your derriere). Candi made her skirt 14".

2. From the widest part of the body of the sweater (figure A), measure out 14" (or your measurement of choice) and cut across, above it and below it, so you have a wide band of 14". Cut up one side of the piece so that you can lay out fabric flat. Measure out 42" (width) and add 1" for seam allowance. Fold in each end and pin, then stitch up so you have a clean edge (figure B).

3. Figure out center of ribbon and top center back of skirt; mark. Pin ribbon at these marks and along the top edge of the skirt; stitch.

4. Hold skirt up to you, overlapping the fronts. Figure out where the side seam would be (can be on right or left) and mark 1" down from top. This will be where you will make a buttonhole to insert the ribbon tie. Make a buttonhole about 1/2" wide. You can use the machine or hand-stitch around opening.

5. Finish bottom edge with a zigzag ruffle edging (figure C) and you have the best dance skirt ever!