Bohemian Tribe
American Tribal Style Belly Dance

Directions for Three- Tiered Tribal Skirt

Measure the length from your hip to your lower ankle or the floor and add 5 inches for casings, hem and seams.  Divide this by three, for each tier of the skirt.  Multiply this amount by sixteen to get the number of panels. 

Eg: skirt length of 40 in., add 5 in.  for a total of 45in. .  Each tier will be 15 in.

For 8 panels, you will need 240 in.  or 6.6 yards.

Cut sixteen panels straight across the fabric using the full width.  For the top tier, sew two panels together at the sides.  For the middle tier, sew 4 panels together at the sides.  For the bottom tier, sew 8 panels together at the sides. 

Make a casing for elastic at the top by turning under the top edge and pressing 1/4 in.  Turn under again 1-3/8 in.   to form the casing.  Pin and sew, leaving a 1-1/4 in.  opening for the elastic.  Top-stitch the top about 1/8 in.  from the fold.

Hem the bottom 8 panels of the skirt by turning under 1/4 in.  twice and stitching.   If you want a spinning border, which looks really cool, sew a 3-4 in.  strip of hemmed fabric or ribbon to the bottom.  I highly recommend that you baste this on to avoid puckering.  Add as many of these as you have the time and patience to apply, but remember that each one also adds weight and you really don't want to lose your skirt!

Assembly:  Double gather the bottom two tiers of the skirt at 1/2 in.  and 1/4 in. , stopping every two panels.  Sew the top to the second tier, matching up one top-row  panel to two second-row panels.  Pin carefully or baste and sew.  Press the seam toward the top panel and top-stitch 1/4 in.   from the seam.  Trim the seam.   Gather the bottom tier in the same way and attach to the middle tier.  Top-stitch and trim.   Measure your hips for the correct amount of 1in.  elastic and insert it into the casing.  Try it on and pull it tight to fit, then safety-pin the ends of the elastic together.   Dance or walk around the room to be sure it fits, then secure the elastic and finish the casing.    Try it on again and admire yourself in a full-length mirror.

If the skirt is too short, add 1 short panel at the top. 

Fabrics:  I recommend T-shot poplin, which is available in several colors only from Wal-Mart,  although I hate to shop there.   It's washable, sturdy, durable,  inexpensive and holds the color well.  Any fabric of a similar weight will work.   It's a good idea to wash before cutting in case of shrinkage.