The Circle Skirt
I figured it was time for a new DIY project. A circle skirt is so easy to make and can be varied in all sorts of ways. No pattern is needed and it’s very fast to sew. You don’t even have to be good at it. I made mine very simple but with a flowery fabric suitable for spring. You can of course make it shorter or longer or anything you like. I chose to make it high waisted which gives a 70’s look, but if you want it lower just measure your hip size in stead. By adding more fabric (like half a circle or two) you can get more of a 50’s look. Then it will involve a little more math though.
You can look at this tutorial or do as follows:
1. Fold square of fabric in half lengthwise, then crosswise. Pin layers together. Measure around your waist. To find the radius, divide measurement by 3.14; then divide result by 2. Mark an arc on fabric for waist opening, measuring from folded center of fabric a distance equal to radius, using straightedge and pencil.
2. Mark an arc for lower edge of skirt, measuring from folded center of fabric a distance equal to the desired length of the skirt, plus measurement of radius determined in step 1.
3. Cut on marked lines through all layers. Cut along one folded edge. These edges are going to be sewed together again, but then while adding a zipper.
4. Cut a piece of fabric a little longer than your waist and 2-3 inches wide. This piece is to be folded together and sewed on as the top of the waist on the skirt as seen on the picture. If this is too tricky for you, just skip it. It was just something I added on my skirt, but I don’t think it’s needed.
5. Now you are ready to sew the edges together. Make room to add a zipper, so don’t sew all the way up. Sew the hem, and finally sew on the zipper. The zipper is the only part that can be a bit tricky, but if you pin it up nicely and sew slowly it should work out fine.
It may sound a little confusing, but when you’re at it you’ll see how it has to be done. This skirt was my first circle skirt ever and it was super easy and ended up looking fine. I am planning to make more of these, at least one in black cause I need a black skirt.
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12 Comments

February 1st, 2006 at 3:15 am
Oh my goodness, that is so cute! I saw a skirt like yours in a store with a similar fabric for about sixty dollars…I need to show this to my mom.
February 1st, 2006 at 4:27 am
You go gurl with your DIY…Loving it!
February 1st, 2006 at 5:41 am
You are seriously a DIY genius. Very inspirational!
February 1st, 2006 at 9:34 am
Thanks guys! :)
February 1st, 2006 at 10:35 pm
wonderful! kjempeflott!
February 2nd, 2006 at 9:53 am
Ooh, a Norwegian reader! Can’t say I have too many of those. :) I’m glad you like it!
March 19th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
[…] Top: Mango Skirt: Vintage, taylor made, print doesn’t show well but it’s of people walking in a park (Skirt is easy to make if you take a look at this post.) Tights: Gift from one of my sisters Pumps: Secondhand Velvet belt: Secondhand Velvet clutch: Secondhand (Actually a make up bag.) Click To Comment […]
October 27th, 2006 at 12:53 am
This pattern saved my butt!!! And covered it too. I\’m not crafty at all but even I made this work to alter my Halloween costume. You rawk!!!
October 27th, 2006 at 9:55 am
I´m so happy!
November 9th, 2006 at 1:09 am
Awesome! I’m getting to work on it right away. Oh and I had an idea: I’ll make a skirt of patterned material on top, then a skirt of flannel (soft side in) and sew them together for a warm skirt in the winter!
November 9th, 2006 at 10:49 am
That´s a really good idea! Maybe I´ll do that too cause I don´t think I have a single warm skirt.
January 8th, 2007 at 9:36 am
im looking at this and it looks pretty simple but im brand new to sewing and i dont quite understant the measurements to the hole in the middle and how i get the length of the skirt all around im sorry if this is too much to ask…