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[DragonGirl007]

I am trying to find fabric for a Vanellope von Schweetz skirt.
Her skirt looks like so:
http://turntherightcorner.files.word...eetz.jpg?w=800

It is a two-tier, accordion pleat skirt. I found a tutorial on YouTube to assist my friend and I in making the pleats (she has the sewing skill, and I'm learning from her in the process). I was looking at some broadcloth on Joann.com but I am uncertain. Essentially all I want to know is what sort of fabric would be best for those kind of pleats that Vanellope has on her skirt. To make them stick out like that and be stiff in that fashion I was going to purchase Decorbond (fusible interfacing) to stiffen the fabric and make the pleats look screen accurate. I still have no clue what to do for the waistband however. The original plan was an elastic waistband but with pleats like that, it probably won't end up that way...

[Kelley]

Your first choice is if you make this realistic or cartoony. Mainly, you want the whole costume to be cohesive.

It recalls schoolgirl skirts, so a wool or polished wool would work. On a budget, black cotton twill. Broadcloth is not ideal. Since I'm guessing it's supposed to look like a candy wrapper, you could also go with that kind of fabric - like a taffeta or even a vinyl or faux leather. It just depends on how you want to bring this to life.

[DragonGirl007]

Well my friend and I (my friend is helping me sew everything together) decided we wanted to make it look like the picture, that is to make the pleats resemble those on the skirt she wears. I already purchased the fabric I need and the Decorbond to stiffen the pleats. All I am trying to figure out now is the waistband.

[Kelley]

Does that waistband have any requirements ?

I would probably just do an "invisible" zipper and make the waistband fairly "tall" for comfort, stability, and keeping it looking good if the sweater pulls up a bit.

[Rangiku12]

Unsure if this helps but I'd sew on the waistband before pleating it. That's what I'm thinking of doing. I've been asking myself this question too.

[ichigo_m.]

I would also just go with a normal flat waist band with a zipper. It'll look smoother than elastic and would stay on better. (:

[dizzymonochrome]

Originally Posted by Rangiku12

Unsure if this helps but I'd sew on the waistband before pleating it. That's what I'm thinking of doing. I've been asking myself this question too.

Why on earth would you do that? O_o If you put the waistband on before pleating, then the waistband will have to be pleated too. That would turn out bulky and unwieldy to sew a facing to.

Originally Posted by Kelley

Your first choice is if you make this realistic or cartoony. Mainly, you want the whole costume to be cohesive.

It recalls schoolgirl skirts, so a wool or polished wool would work. On a budget, black cotton twill. Broadcloth is not ideal. Since I'm guessing it's supposed to look like a candy wrapper, you could also go with that kind of fabric - like a taffeta or even a vinyl or faux leather. It just depends on how you want to bring this to life.

I believe the skirt is supposed to be a cupcake paper liner.

I would choose a wool blend, or 100% cotton. Don't get anything with polyester in it if you intend to pleat. It won't hold the pleats as well as a wool fabric. Measure and iron your pleats, put pins to hold them in place, and then sew on a normal waistband with facing. I would use an invisible zipper. If your friend doesn't have an invisible zipper foot, I recommend getting one. It makes those zippers a breeze to finish.

[Rangiku12]

Originally Posted by dizzymonochrome

Why on earth would you do that? O_o If you put the waistband on before pleating, then the waistband will have to be pleated too. That would turn out bulky and unwieldy to sew a facing to.



I believe the skirt is supposed to be a cupcake paper liner.

I would choose a wool blend, or 100% cotton. Don't get anything with polyester in it if you intend to pleat. It won't hold the pleats as well as a wool fabric. Measure and iron your pleats, put pins to hold them in place, and then sew on a normal waistband with facing. I would use an invisible zipper. If your friend doesn't have an invisible zipper foot, I recommend getting one. It makes those zippers a breeze to finish.

im a newbie at sewing so I didn't know. This is the video the OP is talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRzeDM7vFtI

I used a suiting fabric and iron-on interfacing as the girl in the video used. I'm adding the waistband after sewing the tiers together.