Materials
a measuring tape
a yardstick or straight edge
a sharp pencil
paper
fabric scissors
a rotary cutter (optional)
a cutting mat (optional)
pins
sewing machine
thread
a seam ripper
Step 1: Measure Yourself
Wrap the measuring tape around your waist, at your natural waistline, and make a note of the measurement. This is your Waist measurement.
Next, measure from your natural waistline to the floor. This is your Length measurement.
Step 2: Draft Your Pattern
On a large piece of paper, sketch out a half-circle shape. The Waist measurement will be the diameter of the half-circle; the Length measurement will be the radius.
For example, if your Waist measurement is 30 inches and your Length measurement is 36 inches, your half-circle will have a diameter of 30 inches and a radius of 36 inches.
OR
You can also use a skirt pattern that you may already have.
Step 3: Cut Out Your Pattern
Cut out your pattern piece.
Step 4: Cut Out Your Skirt
Fold your fabric in half, selvedge to selvedge (the factory finished edges of the fabric). Place your pattern piece on the fold and cut around it, leaving a ½-inch seam allowance.
If you are using a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge, you can cut through both layers of fabric at the same time.
Step 5: Sew the Side Seam
With right sides together, pin the side seam of the skirt and sew it together using a ½-inch seam allowance.
Step 6: Hem the Bottom Edge of the Skirt
Fold the bottom edge of the skirt up ½ inch and press. Fold it up again 1 inch and press. Sew the hem in place.
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How do you cut the fabric for a pa'u hula skirt?
The most traditional way to cut fabric for a pa'u hula skirt is to use a large piece of kapa cloth. This is a Hawaiian barkcloth that is made from the inner bark of the wauke tree. It is pounded thin and then dyed in natural dyes made from plants and minerals.
The kapa cloth is cut into a large rectangle that is twice the length of the skirt. The fabric is then folded in half lengthwise and the edges are sewn together. A gusset is inserted at the bottom of the skirt to allow for movement.
The skirt is then worn with a sash that is tied around the waist. The sash can be made from any fabric, but is traditionally made from kapa cloth as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you put a hula skirt on?
Push the skirt up to your belly button and pull each elastic so it gathers in the middle of your pelvic bone. Hold on to both ends of the elastic, then twist each one clockwise until it forms a knot. Try the skirt on inside out. The top should be at the belly button for hula.
How do you sew a skirt to a dress?
To sew a skirt to a dress, begin by cutting the skirt lengthwise down the middle. fold the shortened edge in half and press. Pin the folded edge of the skirt to the lining seam allowance on the inside of your dress. Take the opposite end of the fabric, and pin it along the top of the skirt facings, directly above where you pinned in step one. Sew from back to front along these two perpendicular lines, being sure not to clip your hem as you go.
What is a pa’u skirt?
A pa’u skirt is a type of skirt that has gathered fabric along the top. This is often made from cotton or another breathable fabric, and it has ties at either side so that it can be closed.
How high should a skirt be hemmed?
It depends on your height and the type of skirt you are making. Skirts should be hemmed to around 8 inches from the floor, although it is up to you to choose a number that your skirts will look consistent.
How to make your own hula grass skirt?
2. Take the bottom part of the tablecloth and with a straight edge, ease it up the fold from one end to the other. Do this on both sides of the skirt. 3. Now take your sewing machine, or a thread spool and sew all along the edge that has been eased. Do not pull too tight; you will want a little give when laying down your skirt fabric. 4. Turn your skirt right side out and top stitch around all edges, making sure to leave an opening so you can turn it inside out later! 5. After turning inside out, slip your elastic through the opening, then adjust as needed (you may need to make 2-3 small adjustments). Clip off any excess elastic if desired.
Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch
- https://casabouquet.com/make-a-simple-gathered-skirt-for-hula-pau-skirt/
- https://hawaiianhula.co.uk/pau-skirt-tutorials/
- https://www.marshallconservatory.com/uploads/8/2/0/2/8202395/how_to_make_a_pau.pdf
- https://www.thedomesticspecialist.com/diy-pau-skirt/
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist
- https://www.youtube.com/watch
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/making-a-pau-skirt--444941638188549241/
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/becoming-a-pau--78320480994163231/
- https://www.shakatime.com/blogs/what-is-a-pau-hula-skirt/
- https://www.musicalexpert.org/what-is-a-hula-skirt.htm
- https://spiegato.com/en/what-is-a-hula-skirt
- https://www.etsy.com/market/pa_u_hula_skirt
- https://lavahut.com/collections/traditional-pau-hula-skirts
- https://www.alohaoutlet.com/us/en-us/Search.aspx
- https://www.youtube.com/watch
- https://www.ehow.com/how_8415268_make-pau-skirt.html
- https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hula-Skirt
- https://www.wikihow.com/Hem-a-Skirt
- https://www.pinterest.com/hulajam/pau-hula-skirts/
- https://www.pinterest.com/shakatime/pau-hula-skirts/
- https://www.etsy.com/market/hula_pa%E2%80%99u_skirt
- https://profound-answers.com/how-do-you-describe-embellishments/
- https://hawaiiluaucompany.com/traditional-hula-costumes-hawaii-luau-company/
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