Making a short skirt for a latin costume.....help!!!!! (Please I beg you.....)

[KatyMac]

I made DD a lovely leotard last year with a ballroom skirt

She now wants a latin skirt - but not the pattern I know how to make; oh no she wants a new pattern

So I want a slim fit tight short skirt with horizontal pleats across the front....has anyone any idea what DD is talking about?

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=short+draped+skirt&start=187&hl=en&cr=countryUK|countryGB&biw=1440&bih=737&addh=36&tbs=ctr:countryUK|countryGB&tbm=isch&tbnid=-GiHtorT7PoY9M:&imgrefurl=ryliajoy.esellution.co.uk/store/listings/category/id/14&docid=_-repSrrTOBGRM&imgurl=ryliajoy.esellution.co.uk/assets/products/72/listing/MWovliNGh8.jpg&w=330&h=400&ei=1hxVT4_FEIbJ0QW1xOmsDg&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">not really like this
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=short+draped+skirt&start=187&hl=en&cr=countryUK|countryGB&biw=1440&bih=737&addh=36&tbs=ctr:countryUK|countryGB&tbm=isch&tbnid=4Hg9KTzivuNeUM:&imgrefurl=www.priceinspector.co.uk/p/size%252016%2520dress/c/7777/UnCategorised/f/desc,True/&docid=mhNVWEgaNoSw1M&imgurl=www.the-dressingroom.com/product-media/5XQ/1000/1000/ButtterByNadia-CastIronKitty-Silver-fr.jpg&w=708&h=1000&ei=1hxVT4_FEIbJ0QW1xOmsDg&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">maybe more like this?

Off out to collect her

Back later

Does she mean a frill or 'gathers', rather than pleats? Something like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=latin+skirt&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=655&tbm=isch&tbnid=4lFhKogVUytZRM:&imgrefurl=www.dancesport.uk.com/wear/santoria/lad_lat.htm&docid=7Js0_-5QgUu2fM&imgurl=www.dancesport.uk.com/wear/santoria/t106005-s206005.jpg&w=507&h=339&ei=VSBVT8auM8ui8gOD55zQDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=171&vpy=313&dur=4454&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=131&ty=103&sig=112697496086390107905&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=176&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this

Or this kind of thing? Dropped waist with a gathered frill.

Neither

Think <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=short+draped+skirt&start=187&hl=en&cr=countryUK|countryGB&biw=1440&bih=737&addh=36&tbs=ctr:countryUK|countryGB&tbm=isch&tbnid=4Hg9KTzivuNeUM:&imgrefurl=www.priceinspector.co.uk/p/size%252016%2520dress/c/7777/UnCategorised/f/desc,True/&docid=mhNVWEgaNoSw1M&imgurl=www.the-dressingroom.com/product-media/5XQ/1000/1000/ButtterByNadia-CastIronKitty-Silver-fr.jpg&w=708&h=1000&ei=1hxVT4_FEIbJ0QW1xOmsDg&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blinds that's bizarre

Maybe draped is a better word

I am so bad at describing things

I can picture what you mean in my head but that's not a lot of help!

Is ruche the proper word?

So it gives a kind of layered effect...?

I trhink ruched is right.

like this, or tight all the way down?

That's it - well just the top bit

She will have a leotard, a short skirt and then a sort of overlayer of silver mesh with a bit of a point to one side & maybe silver or purple gloves?

The basic idea seems to be you make a long version of the skirt you want and run a basting stitch u the side seams. You then gather the fabric along these seams to the required length/ruchedness.

I thought to make a channel either side and to 'gather' that way

But that way could work, let me re-read

Oh I can't decide now - I have to go to work

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=10&hl=en&cr=countryUK|countryGB&biw=1440&bih=737&tbs=ctr:countryUK|countryGB&tbm=isch&tbnid=xjDdeYXeFkCJ1M:&imgrefurl=www.rarefashion.co.uk/sale/opulence-sale/opulence-ruched-chiffon-skirt.html&docid=mC4EtkfdWGKCJM&imgurl=www.rarefashion.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/o/rouche_skirt.jpg&w=1068&h=1600&ei=i8xVT4vbCae_0QWVu8DWCQ&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this is perfect could you do it in Lyrca? I think your method is better looking at that, stealth

it was soupdragon who came up with the methodology, not me

looking at that, and thinking about it in lycra, and standing up to dance wear and tear, I actually think I would go with channels - otherwise you are relying on the stiching holding, which it won't. Channels with tapes in would be stronger.

I imagine the principle is the same whether you gather it with tape or basting stitch - I imagine with the basting stitch you would need to reinforce it somehow - probably by running a machine stitch over the gathers near the seam?

Would you use curtain rufflet? That's quite strong

See, this is why I'm glad I only have to make costumes once a year for the school play - trying to translate a picture to a real garment is so tricky.

Agree with soupdragon on reinforcing the stitching after you've got it ruched how you want.

Curtain stuff may work but could be too bulky?

Maybe gather it with a basting stitch before stitching the front bad back of the skirt together?

Or buy lycra tube fabric and sew vertical lines with shirring elastic?

How about a double layer of lycra tube with the outer layer "ruched" onto the inner one? I agree you would have to sew (probably zig-zag, but I know nothing of sewing with lycra) over the top of the ruched seams once you had them how you wanted them.

I was thinking this

Or maybe a shorter version of this