Great descriptions! Can you post some info and pictures on some of the newer skirt styles, layers, gladiator, etc. I am dress shopping and there seem to be so many styles out there now!

Thanks alot! this helped my mom know what I was telling her about

I love all the pictures of the different styles in one spot. How easy is that? I just hope I will be able to adapt my pattern to the style I want. I can see I will be visiting the patternmaker blogs lots too.

Thanks this is great, I'm an older dancer making a "come back" and was perplexed by the new styles.

I keep seeing dresses referred to as "cupcake". Exactly what is a cupcake skirt? What do you call the skirts that have a pageant style ruffle or tutu that is exposed???

Cupcake dresses have the netted ruffle skirt.. no hard panels and no soft panels. Embroidery is done on the bodice and sleeves only. You may find some crystals on the netted tutu skirt.

okay i get it now. thanks for the tips and information. this has been a very informative post. love all the new styles seen at the all irelands. i'm wondering if the longer skirt rule will also effect those "cupcake" styles????

Love this! I had no idea about the different types of skirts. I love the Puffballs and Soft Skirts!

Is Siopa Rince the only brand that makes Puffball's?

How about Ruffle Skirts
The skirts hard velvet and like ruffles
lol
and skirts with a tutu attached!, underneath.

Thanx for sharing this wonderful post!

It was a good inspiration for my new dress

Another style is the "gladiator," or "tennis skirts." avoca makes a lot of these.
avocacelticdesigns.com/gallery-show.php?hdnCategoryID=19

Can anyone tell me a good pattern for a soft skirt dress? My aunt is making my dress. I can't decide if I want four panels or soft skirt. If I choose four panels I will use the Irish Threads pattern. I don't know what pattern to use for a soft skirt!!! Any ideas?

Thanks!

This post is really informative. Thanks for sharing all of this information!

Can someone tell me if a three layer "ra-ra" is the same as a three layer skirt? If they aren't the same can someone tell me the difference?

This is a great post. Wondering if someone with experience can update it for 2010? Many thanks!

What about cupcake skirts? I really love them! You should add it to the guide, which is wonderful, by the way.

Thank you for posting this! So helpful! My mother and I are making a new solo dress for me and the pictures always help!

That's relaay interesting. If I get a new dress I want a soft- skirted one:)

That's relaay interesting. If I get a new dress I want a soft- skirted one:)

I just trawled through skirt patterns at my local fabric shop and found a simple 3 tier ra ra type pattern. I just made it a bit wider than the pattern to have a full skirt. Worked a treat. One i'm making now is just a cirle skirt pattern. practice on bits of cheap material to get one you like.

this is very helpful thank you. it really helped me with a decision i was trying to make. Thanks again!!

love this, so interesting to compare these old style to the new styles. i think the mid-drop waist era was my favourite!