Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

February 23, 2009

opera houseThe giveaway is for the pink skirt only. It is made from six yards of nylon chiffon. So fluffy and soft, like butter cream icing on a cupcake. Molly loved to gather the fluff in her hands and run around the room laughing madly. Lily enjoyed twirling. When your little ones are twirling in a nylon chiffon pettiskirt your camera can do no wrong. Seriously. Just point and shoot. The skirt does like 90% of the work.

Last year I fell in love with these skirts. I had wanted to buy one for Lily and one for Molly to wear for their first and fourth birthday party. However, in the end, the price gave me pause. If any of you have seen these before, they are chiffon pettiskirts made famous by the Kaiya Eve line. If you buy them from her or her any of her competitors, they retail for $80-$100 a piece. Although, recently I've seen some on etsy for only $60. Still, sadly out of my price range. Especially seeing as I would be buying dos.

So imagine my surprise when I found a Martha Stewart interview with Kaiya Eve desinger Kandi Lightner who demonstrated how exactly to recreate her gorgeous skirts.


opera house
In case you don't win or don't have enough money to buy one online, here are the online instructions to try one yourself.

Here is the video of Kandi and Martha. Although I have to warn you, it's tedious. And the
instructions don't tell you everything you need to know.




opera houseI'll let you in on some of the little secrets I had to learn the hard way. First, you CAN'T use polyester chiffon. It frays like you'd never believe. AND you can't find nylon chiffon anywhere but online! Here is where I bought mine. Good news, it's only $2.25 a yard, bad news shipping is like $10. UPDATED CHIFFON INFO AT BOTTOM OF POST.

Second you should build it from the bottom up rather than the top down. That way you just sew in a straight line rather than a gathered circle.

Third, you have to know how to 'shirr'. I didn't, and Martha and Kandi didn't let me in on it either. Apparently you need elastic thread which you wind on the bobbin by hand so that it is not stretched tight. Set your stitch to the longest setting and then sew down the middle. This should gather the fabric.

I used that method with the first skirt I attempted- the polyester chiffon mess. With my second attempt I thought I'd outwit Martha and use a 'Gathering Foot'. When I first used it I thought it was the bees knees! That is until I stitched for longer than five minutes.


opera houseMaybe I wasn't using it correctly but it kept unscrewing all the screws on the needle and gathered the fabric underneath as well as the fabric on top. In the end I spent all day on something I eventually had to rip apart to start over again. Lesson learned....never undermine Martha. She always knows best.

Lastly, you need to purchase about five yards of fabric to make one skirt. The directions tell you how many pieces and how long and wide but not how much to buy. If you are making a contrasting fluff you should buy equal parts of each color- 2.5 and 2.5.

When I was trying to come up with a name for the skirt I considered something to do with jellyfish. Since the bottom fluff reminded me of the ruffles on their tentacles. In the end, I didn't think taking pictures at an aquarium would yield positive results. The strange thing was that when I asked Lily what she thought the skirts reminded her of she answered....jellyfish. I swear I hadn't said a word about them to her.

We've been meaning to get down to the Baltimore aquarium. I think we just have fish on the brain.


opera houseNEW. Fellow blogger Allison, let me in on another site selling nylon chiffon for less money. Here.

I'll be posting frequently this week. So please come back soon to see all Grosgrain's new goodies.

Last day for posts is Friday 3/06/09. Winner will be announced Sunday!




opera houseAs usual, if you would like a chance to win this pettiskirt just link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Create a Link
pettiskirts


463 {comments}:

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Snyder Family said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVE these! So adorable!

Nicole said... Best Blogger Tips

Those skirts are adorable! My daughter definitely needs one for her upcoming pictures! Nice work.

Brooke said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVE LOVE LOVE these skirts, but like you the price holds me back. Thank you for sharing how to make them! Although I am not the best seamstress, so I keeping my fingers crossed I can win one!

Whitney said... Best Blogger Tips

ooooh so cute!!

www.whitmeg.blogspot.com

Vanessa said... Best Blogger Tips

Absolutely love these and have wanted one from some time now. I linked to my blog. Hope it worked, this is the first time I have ever done that.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow. That is a beautiful skirt. I wish I could sew! I just use duct tape and a glue gun at my house! My baby girl is 5 weeks old and I have wanted one of these skirts for family photos- too poor though, just like everyone else. How do we enter the giveaway? Do we just leave a comment on your blog? You are so blessed to have such a wonderful talent!

Shad and Maggie Alsworth said... Best Blogger Tips

These skirts are absolutely scrumptious!! You are one talented lady!!

-Maggie
mmalsworth@roadrunner.com

Dani said... Best Blogger Tips

Oooo me, me,e ME Pick ME! I've been wanting one for my little girl and as she's started to dance now she'd look adorable in it!


(As a question: Anyone know of a place to get Charmeuse Satin cheap? I can find it on this one site that has it cheaper then Joanns but they charge $10 + for shipping! A crime? I thought so too. Anyone have any ideas?)

Kristen said... Best Blogger Tips

My daughter would be in heaven!! Who wouldn't LOVE, LOVE, LOVE one!!!

Brooke said... Best Blogger Tips

Soo Adorable!! JUST IF I COULD SEW!!! My little girl would LOVE it!

Brandi said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE it! Thanks for the chance to win. I'd try making one....but it would just be a waste of time & money :)

Sharlene said... Best Blogger Tips

So pretty. What girl wouldn't want to twirl in that dress?

Cheri said... Best Blogger Tips

My neighbor makes these, but hers aren't so full as yours. I would love to win this for my little one waiting in China for us!

Katrina said... Best Blogger Tips

What a gorgeous skirt! I love it!!

SUMMER said... Best Blogger Tips

I have THREE girls! They would just love to share one of these beautiful skirts!!!

Mel said... Best Blogger Tips

OH MY! This is INCREDIBLE! My three year old would just flip out over this. SHe dresses up and dances around DAILY....this is sooo her! I'd LOVE the chance to win! wlsgrouptenn@yahoo.com

www.aplusdesigns.blotspot.com

Kage said... Best Blogger Tips

THE RED ONE!!!!!

kristy ar kristyglass dot com

The Lucky Ones said... Best Blogger Tips

Just gorgeous! (And the pettiskirts are cute too.) Thanks for the giveaway and the instructions. Now I just need to find someone who wants to make one for my little one, because if I were to, it would not be pretty.... :-)

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE this skirt!!! It would be perfect for my daughter'r 3rd birthday!

The Dwelley's said... Best Blogger Tips

My daughter would die to have this. She would be in pretty pretty princess heaven :) There is always a link to you.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I just found your website from a link on the Wardrobe Refashion blog. Wow! I love all of it! These skirts are absolutely adorable - I especially love the contrasting color ruffle. Beautiful!
I'm starting a sewing class in two weeks to help improve my skills so, maybe, just maybe, I will be able to make something this adorable for my little pumpkin, too. Thanks for the ideas, tips and beautiful pics!

Ansley said... Best Blogger Tips

These are great! I would LOVE them for my two girls!!! Pick me!

Anzleeisrael@aol.com

Lily said... Best Blogger Tips

I've linked this to my blog. Enter me in! :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I always thought you had to do a ton of sewing and sweating to make these. Thanks for the tips! Is there any chance I could win all three giveaways this week? :)

Wendy said... Best Blogger Tips

Holy smokes, are those ever cute!!! My daughter needs one. Needs. And I know I'll never make one... so I have to win.

Toddlin' with Timmy said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my gosh this is so very adorable!! We would be honored to win this cute skirt! How fun!

Thank you Kathleen!

I blogged about it also!

Jaime...My Love said... Best Blogger Tips

Awesome and thanks again for the tips. You might have shared this before on your blog but if not, would you mind telling what kind of camera you use to take your pics?

Out Numbered! said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow I just love this blog. I alos posted on my blog. I'm subscribbing (sp)

Jen said... Best Blogger Tips

Love, love, love. Can't sew, sew, sew. I can blog, though. Maybe I'll win one and get good old Grandma to work on the second one for lil bit?

ChrisandLogue said... Best Blogger Tips

I LOVE this little skirt!! I have been looking for something like this for my daughter who is just getting into that dress up phase!! Would be great for pictures too!

We would love to win!!!

Fingers crossed!
~Christy
Mrscarpenter3@gmail.com

posted about giveaway on our blog: http://thecarpenterlife.blogspot.com/

Lynn said... Best Blogger Tips

i love the skirt! so cute!

Misty said... Best Blogger Tips

I love that you gave out the instruction! You are awesome! I bought one off of ebay for about $35 and it took months to get. I had to pester her so much to get it!

Thanks for this awesome contest! =)

Misty said... Best Blogger Tips

I just posed a comment and I don't see me...I'm trying again!

Thanks for the awesome contest! =)

Pearl said... Best Blogger Tips

Well this is the sweetest thing ever! My 4 yr. old granddaughter would love it. Thanks for the chance.

Tammy said... Best Blogger Tips

This skirts are sweet. I never thought about making them, but since I am not a good seamstress that isn't really an option! Gotta love Martha Stewart. I have two little girls and I would LOVE to get these for them.

Mary Ella said... Best Blogger Tips

How Cute!!! My little girl would love this.

Cori Westphal said... Best Blogger Tips

What a cute skirt! Nothing like going tutu chic!

ali said... Best Blogger Tips

If I won I don't think my 4 year old would ever take it off!

trekmom said... Best Blogger Tips

I would love to win this! My two year old would really like it!

Hailey said... Best Blogger Tips

Ok. I have been trying to creat a link for 20 minutes! HELP! Here is my post on my blog about the giveaway. http://thelafones.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway.html

Thanks for your help! I really want to enter and I don't know how!!

michelep said... Best Blogger Tips

I love your work. My daughter Danielle would love one.

nanann said... Best Blogger Tips

Okay, I just started a blog and you're like my first link, and I don't seem to be seeing it on Technorati when I searched so thought I'd let you know here. Thanks for such a FABulous giveaway!

http://nanannwoogies.wordpress.com/

Jordan said... Best Blogger Tips

I could NEVER do this on my own, but my best friend is having a baby girl and I totally know she would LOVE it!

Pick me,
jordancjensen@hotmail.com

rochelle said... Best Blogger Tips

I love it!!!! I just adopted my 1st little girl ( after adopting 2 boys) and would LOVE that for her. So girly and cute!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

This is just too adorable! I wrote about it in my blog.

Akkima said... Best Blogger Tips

This is so beautiful, you are so talented! Winning this would make my year!

april said... Best Blogger Tips

sooooo cute!!!!

Glover said... Best Blogger Tips

I just bought the fabric to make one of these! I learned how to shirr on youtube...Did you end up shirring yours? I can only find white or black elastic thread at the local store...will that work or will white show though (i ordered bright blue fabric)? My daughter got a hand me down pettiskirt slip ( i dyed red for christmas), and she wants to wear it all the time (20 months old). They are our favorite skirts of all time!!! Thanks for the post and the helpful hints! GREAT JOB!!

Alyson and Ford said... Best Blogger Tips

I am so sorry I missed the deadline; just found out about it! Wow,they look so darling!!

Alyzabeth's Mommy for SIX Months!!!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful work! This would be a dream to win.

Thanks for sew (hee hee) many tips and tricks to create this. You are the best!

Tiffany said... Best Blogger Tips

I want this for my girl so bad! I don't think my cheap-o sewing machine would hold up trying to make it!

Sam and Josh said... Best Blogger Tips

I love these, they are so adorable and would love it for my little girls.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I also make and sell pettiskirts and they are a ton of fun! I made 50+ last year alone. One comment about your story, you were correct to use a gathering foot! Shirring is NOT necessary to make these skirts, the term was just used incorrectly! A gathering foot work wonderfully and saves you a ton of time! Beautiful photos of your girls!

McNew Family said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my stars - that skirt is ahhhhdorable!!!!!

mcnewfamily.blogspot.com
chuiesfamily.blogspot.com

Dorothee-Maria said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, WOW!
These are truly gorgeous!
I need to try to sew them!
Thank you very much for sharing! :)


...lovely shots of your little girls, by the way!!! :)

Kelly said... Best Blogger Tips

I would love this for my daughter...it would be perfect for her 2nd birthday. You do great work!!
How much do you sell these for?

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

http://www.PettiskirtStyle.com has toddler pettiskirts for $49 each. They are 35 yards of fluff, and the ones I bought (twins) are stunning. Quality amazing. They have an adorable video set to the song "My Girl" which is adorable.
The length is 11 or 12" and the waist is 15-20. So it fits like 14 months to 2+ They are the makers, and they make them in America, which I liked.

Mommy said... Best Blogger Tips

Would love to win....tahnks for thinking of all of US!!!

Katherine said... Best Blogger Tips

My 3 year old would flip over this! She dances and sings everywhere!

handyandycandy03 said... Best Blogger Tips

These skirts left me in total aww..., Please send me instructions on how to make these for my girls. I've never sewed clothing for my girls in my life but these have really motivated me. They are so girly.

printer cartridge supplies said... Best Blogger Tips

They are really cute and adorable! I know it will look great with my younger sister.

00Frog said... Best Blogger Tips

I really hope you still a comment on a post this old! I just discovered the pettiskirt and would really like to try and make one for my little girl. I'm thinking of cutting corner and ordering the nylon chiffon for the ruffle fluff already trimmed, but I have to pick either 2" or 3", no 2.5" is available. My little one is only 5 months, so I'm thinking the 2" will probably cut it, but I was hoping for your advice? TIA!

mumad said... Best Blogger Tips

wow this is amazing! I admire you made it all by yourself! this is great job... are you doing it for sell to?

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