TULLE SKIRT & MOUSE EARS

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Tiered Mesh Skirt

Step 1

From the template provided, cut out:

• 2 x skirt pieces on the fold from poplin or lining satin fabric

With right sides facing, pin & sew sides of skirt lining together with a 1cm seam allowance. Neaten seams by overlocking or using a zig zag stitch.

Sew a narrow hem on skirt lining lower edge by folding in 5mm then another 5mm, stitch in place.

With a washable pencil or marker, mark the lower and middle tier sewing lines on to the skirt lining.

Step 2

From tulle, net/mesh fabric, cut strips measuring:

• 6 x 18cm high by width of fabric
• 18 x 20cm high by width of fabric

Cut the selvedge ends off the from the cut fabric strips.

Step 3

Starting with the 18cm high strips, place two strips together, and sew a long running stitch along the top of strip 1cm in from top long edges. Repeat with the remaining 18cm strips. These will be for the top tier of skirt.

Repeat process for all the 20cm high strips. These will be for the middle and lower tiers of skirt.

Pull running stitch threads to gather up strips.

Step 4

Starting with the bottom tier, pin the first of gathered 20cm strips to the front centre of skirt lining in between the indicated marks on the lower tier sewing line from the template. Pin the next strip slightly overlapping to the left edge of the front first strip and around to the next indicated mark on the sewing line just on the other side of the side seam at the back. Continue with the next strip, finishing at the middle back of skirt, then the remaining mirroring the other side of the skirt.

Adjust gathers evenly to fit. Stitch gathered strips in place to skirt lining over gather stitching and along the lower tier sewing line. Trim away any loose threads.

Step 5

Repeat the same method to attach the middle tier of the skirt, with two strips attached to the front of skirt from the centre of skirt to the side seams and the same with the back, between the centre back and the side seams.

Step 6

For the upper tier, pin the first of gathered 18cm strips to the front top edge of skirt lining in between the indicated marks on the template. Pin the next strip slightly overlapping to the left edge of the front first strip and around to the middle back of skirt. Pin the remaining strip from the middle back around to the front right, overlapping edges.

Adjust gathers evenly. Stitch gathered strips in place to skirt lining over gather stitching 1cm in from top skirt edge. Trim away any loose threads.

Overlock or zigzag the top of skirt to condense the seam.

Step 7

To create waistband casing, cut a piece of blanket binding to fit along the top of the skirt waistband plus 6cm.

Starting from the back middle of the skirt, open up binding and place top of skirt inside the binding by approximately 1.5cm or enough that the top of the skirt stitching is enclosed. Pin the binding back together, encasing the top of the skirt, folding under 2cm on the excess overlapping end at the back.

Stitch binding to the skirt 5mm in from the base edges of the binding, leaving the overlapping end open.

Step 8

Cut a piece of 25mm wide elastic to fit the waist measurement of the child.

Using a safety pin, thread the elastic into the waistband through the opening at the back. Adjust elastic to fit child, then overlap ends and stitch elastic securely together.

Stitch the opening on the binding closed through all layers.

Tie a bow with the remaining blanketing binding to desired size. Hand sew bow to the front center of skirt at the base of waistband.

Headband

Step 1

From the template provided, cut out:

• 4 x outer headband piece from light grey felt
• 2 x inner headband pieces from pale pink felt

Step 2

Cut the base tab off along the cutting line as per indicated on the template on 2 of the outer ears felt pieces.

Place these cut outer ears on top of the other outer ears, aligning the top curved edges. Top stitch the ear pieces together around outer edges of the top cut ear piece.

Step 3

Place each inner ear piece on top of these 2 cut outer ear pieces, aligning their base edges. Centre the curved edges of the inner ears.

Top Stitch the inner ear to the outer ears through all layers.

Step 4

The ears will be attached to the headband 5cm apart in the centre of the headband.

With the base of the inner ears aligned with front top edge of headband, wrap the felt base tab of the back outer ears around the headband. Once happy with position, hot glue the felt tab in place securely around the headband.