Supplies:
- Shorts or briefs of your choice
- Material for triangles
- Thread to match material
- Pins
- Scissors
Directions:
- Choosing Your Materials
The first thing to determine is the type of bottoms you want to use. Pick whatever style brief or short that you want to use, that will give you the look that you want. I happen to like the high waisted short for this project. One of the things I like about the high waisted short is that it really slims the waistline. Some people want just a regular brief. There are other choices but it all depends on what you want and the look you are after. For this demo, I am going to be using a high waisted brief.
Next, you will choose the fabric you want for the triangles. I am picking a lace for this demonstration. You will want to pick a fabric for the triangle pieces that will match, coordinate or complement the briefs or shorts that you are using. You also want to choose a fabric that gives you the look you want and the type of movement you are after.
You can use all lace, all Lycra or a combination. If you use both, you could alternate the materials. Just remember if you use both, the lace and Lycra move differently. Lycra will give you a little bit stiffer look. Lace or mesh will give you a little bit softer effect. When you choose the material you want to use, you want to think about whether you want a soft and flowing look or a harsh line with just really deep movement.
- Determining Placement of Triangles
The first thing you want to do is determine the center back of the briefs or shorts that you are using. If there is not a back seam, fold the shorts in half to determine where that back seam would be. Once that is determined, place a straight pin at that seam or “faux” seam to mark the center. Next, determine where you want these triangle pieces to go – where they should start and where they should end – on the side, the front the back or all around the waist. Once that decision is made, mark the beginning and ending spot with pins.
To make the beginning and ending spots equal from the center, fold the briefs or shorts in half and make sure both pins line up. I just want them to go across the back so when I fold the shorts in half, I can see if that the pins are lining up and are an equal distance from the center fold. If they are not, just move one of the pins until they are the same distance. Another method is to place the starting pin at the distance from the center that you want. Fold the briefs in half at the center back and push a pin through the briefs at the same spot as the other pin. This will create a area that starts and ends an equal distance from the center. When you open the briefs or shorts up, it will give you a good idea the area that the triangles will cover. You will have half on one side of the center spot and one half on the other side of the center spot.
Now, either stretch the briefs or shorts out or have the girl try them on. If the girl tries them on, replace the straight pins with safety pins so they stay in place and more importantly, the pins do not stick the girl. With the briefs stretched out or on the girl, you have a much better idea of how the half skirt of triangles will lay and what they will look like.
- Making Triangle Pattern
For the triangles, make a paper pattern in the shape and size you want and cut the top point off. I am using a diamond rather than a true triangle. The size will depend on how long you want the half skirt to be. The width will be purely a matter of preference. Keep in mind that the width of the shape will determine how many pieces you will need. A narrow shape will create the need for more pieces than a wider diamond would require.
- Cutting the Shapes
If you are using a diamond pattern, just lay it on the fabric where it works the best. It is easier to cut several layers of the material at a time. If you chose to fold the fabric in half for cutting, make the pattern in a long isosceles triangle and place the long side of the triangle on the fold. It is a little more difficult to use several layers of material at a time when you are using a triangle on the fold. It is easier for the fold to move and that makes it more difficult to cut several at once.
Either way, the next step is to cut the top point off. To make that top part that is being cut off the same on all the pieces, it is easier to cut the pattern. An alternate way would be to cut the triangle or diamonds and then go back and cut the top point of the material.
- Sewing the Triangles Down
There are two ways to sew the triangles or diamonds down. The first way is to gather the top of the triangle and sew the shape to the briefs on top of the gathers. This will create a little ruffle at the top. The second choice is to lay the material upside down on top of the briefs with the long pointed end facing above the waist. With the triangle upside down, sew over the gathered area. Then flip the long side over so that it falls below the briefs. This leaves the ruffled edge and the stitching underneath the triangle or diamond. I am going to show you both ways to and you can choose the one you prefer.
Once you have cut diamonds and cut the top tip off, you will be ready to start sewing. The little flat spot at the top of the diamond is where we are going to gather the end. This is where you will want to sew.
- Triangle with Ruffled Top
First, we will take one of the triangles or diamonds and gather the top. Then, set your machine to a stretch stitch if you have one. If you do not have a stretch stitch, you can use a zig zig stitch. Either of these will allow the briefs or shorts and the fabric to stretch. Pin the gathered end and place it where the first pin is located. Make sure that it sits on the shorts or brief so that you can stitch the diamond on top of the seam for the waistband and covers up that seam. Since you are using the method where there is a little ruffle on the top, make sure that the part that sticks up from the seam is even. You can always trim it up a little when you are done, but you still want to start out with them as even as possible. I like to use my the pressure foot on my sewing machine as a stitching gauge and then add about ½” above that to determine how much of the piece will sit above the stitch line and consequently, how large the ruffle is. Make sure that you stretch the shorts or briefs a little bit as you sew. If you are using lace, make sure that the lace is facing the correct direction. You do not want some right side up and some wrong side up.. Place the next triangle or diamond next to it and sew it down in the same manner. You will notice as you go if there are any missing gaps. If you have any gaps, fill it in with another triangle or diamond. Just keep on placing the diamonds down and sewing them on as you go along until you reach the pin on the other side of the center point. For demonstration purposes, I have used brown thread so that you can see it easily. You will want to use thread that matches and blends in with the material used for the triangles or diamonds. In this demo, I have chosen to not sew the diamonds all the way across. I just wanted a half skirt in the back. You can place the diamonds across the back, across the back, across the front, across the front and back with the sides open, on the sides only or all around the skirt. You can place them in any combination you wish. It is totally up to you and the effect you want.
- The Second Method
If you do not want the ruffle on the top, you can either cover the edges with lace or you can use the second method mentioned above. In this second method, you sew the diamonds or triangles from the back. Instead of stitching on top of the diamonds, you lay them upside down with the longest end pointing above the waist line. You then sew it the same way as before except that it is on the back of the shapes. When you are done sewing the diamonds or triangles down, you simply flip the diamonds over and they hang down as a skirt. The “ruffled” edge will then be under the skirt and not on top. Again, you can place the diamonds in the back , the front, the front and back with sides open, just the sides or all around the shorts.
And there you have the finished skirt.
