Constructing the skirt..

I began by heavily gathering a long piece of calico so that it would hold the large shape of the peticoats. I made sure this piece was floor length and the correct length to fit around half of the mannequin.

I then did the same for the shorter piece and laid this ontop. When it came to do this I realised that this would not work as it did not sit flat.

As you can see where the fabrics is not gathered to the bottom piece it doesn't sit in the same way. I then took out the gathering on both pieces and ironed them flat. I them re-gathered the pieces but this time together. This meant that the skirt actually held the gathers better as there was more fabric. It also meant that I did not need as much fabric as I could not gather it as close as the original piece had been.

I then cut a rough design line for the bottom of the top skirt to mimic that of the design. I was hoping to do a fabric sample of this but at the moment it seems that time is not on my side!! I am hoping to do a small one but at the moment I am concentrating to creating a sillhouette that is correct.

I turned the hem of the under skirt up and stitched it, this created a nice neat finish to the bottom of the dress.