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I was just wondering if anyone had a scan or an pattern of how to make a petticoat. It would help me so much to make one for one of the loli dress that I'm making. Thank you!

I attempted to make one some time ago. It wasn't perfect, but it got the job done ok. Basically you'll need elastic, a sewing machine that can do zigzag stitches and LOTS AND LOTS of either tulle or knitting. (Remember, this is for a makeshift petticoat. I've never worked with a pattern or store-bought one) Just sew as many layers as you possibly can of the tulle/netting around the elastic until it holds your skirt out as far as you need it to. And keep in mind, both of those fabrics are cheap, so you can buy plenty of it, but it's also very, very itchy. Wear tights or pantyhose underneath, no matter what the weather, or you will be dying.

I'm in the process of making a petticoat.

I have no pattern, as I tend to have no money left over for things like that sad but here's my rather unprofessional pattern:

Of course, you have to start with an elastic waist band. give it a couple extra inches just in case and also for overlap. You will also need a TON of crinoline (I prefer the smaller netting... the big stuff makes me go ARRRRGH!), and hopefully a sewing machine.

Measure around the widest part of your hips, and cut a thick strip of fabric (it should go down a bit past the bottom of your bum), using a soft fabric preferably (but you could use crinoline too I suppose). This strip should have enough length to create a bit of ruffling, but not too much, as it is the top section of the skirt (we're trying to make graduated layers of ruffle-y-ness). It's probably a good idea to allow a bit more fabric (like, 4 inches or so) than you think you'll need. You will have to sew the two edges together at the end, and you also want this to easily slide up over your hips, so don't think you have to make it fit perfectly. Better to make it a little too big than anything else.

Then, make another strip, about the same thickness, but longer. I mean, LOTS longer, because this is where you start to make the ruffles (also called ruching or gathers I think). You will need two strips of this section in order to help create the graduated fullness effect. For the next section of skirt, do the same thing essentially, but make three strips of fabric, and make them quite a bit longer.

Start out by sewing the top section (which is un-ruffled, remember) to the first ruffly sections just using a regular straight stitch, and folding over the fabric as you go to create a bit of ruffle. As you go along be careful you don't ruffle too much or you might not end up at the same spot where your top unruffled section ends. I think it's a good idea to plan a couple landmarks on the top section (with a fabric marker, a pin, or whatever) so that this doesn't happen gonk .

For the next ruffly section, sew the three strips of fabric together (as you did the first time) to the bottom strip of ruffles you just sewed. I'd say overlap about 1/3 inch or so.

Stop and make sure everything lines up, clean up any stray threads...

Next, sew a tube in the top section where the elastic will thread through.

Once that's done, sew the two edges of the skirt together, but leave a bit open at the top, maybe a half an inch before the start of the elastic-tube. Now, thread the elastic through (I find a safety pin helps with this: pin one end of the elastic to a sofa or something stationary, then put another pin on the other end, and begin threading it through, pulling as you go.)

Then, the only left to do is sew the two ends of elastic together, and sew the top part of the skirt together to finish it off.

To sew the elastic ends together, first, put the skirt on, and make sure you know how much give you want (for putting on, taking off, etc) and then sew the two ends together with an inch of overlap. I sew a little box pattern on this inch of overlap for durability.

Last step, hand sew together the last little bits of skirt at the top where you fed the elastic in... now you're done! Yay!

When you're making this, always allow a little more fabric than you think you will need. it's much easier to cut off extra fabric than it is to sew on extra fabric (in my opinion, at least!)

I hope this helps... remember it's just my "makeshift" pattern rofl