For your circle skirt the following three parameters are needed: your waist measurement (in centimetres), desired length of the skirt (also in centimetres) and how flared your skirt should be.
Waist Measurement: This determines the inner radius of the circle pattern, which forms the waistband opening.
Skirt Length: This sets the outer radius of the circle, defining how long the skirt should be from waist to hem.
Flare level:
Once you enter these measurements and click the download button below, a customized sewing pattern will be generated as a multi-page A4 PDF file.
For instructions of how to print and assemble your sewing pattern, click here.
Which fabric to choose?
Although circle skirts are timeless and versatile, the magic happens when you pick the fabric— it can turn your skirt from casual daytime wear to elegant evening attire. Factors like weight, drape, and texture play a huge role in the final look, feel, and movement.
The following guide explores how different fabrics affect your circle skirt design:
- Jersey Knit (e.g., cotton-spandex) are great for relaxed, daily outfits. They are soft, stretchy, breathable and ideal for all-day comfort.
- Design Outcome: Comfy, body-skimming swing; easy fit.
- Shop Suggestion: [Affiliate Link: Knit Fabrics on Mood Fabrics] – Stretchy and forgiving.
- Silk or Satin are perfect for date nights, parties, or elegant occasions where flow and luxury shine. They are lightweight, silky drape, shiny, no stretch.
- Design Outcome: Luxurious flow with elegant swing and enhanced movement.
- Shop Suggestion: [Affiliate Link: Shop Silk on Amazon] – For that high-end sheen.
- Chiffon or Georgette are ideal for free-spirited looks or skirts that need to move with you, like for dancing or festivals. They are sheer, ultra-light.
- Design Outcome: Ethereal and floaty with billowing volume.
- Shop Suggestion: [Affiliate Link: Chiffon Options on Fabric Wholesale Sites] – Layer up for opacity.
- Wool or Felt is suited for colder seasons or retro-inspired designs that prioritise warmth and structure. They are normally medium-heavy, structured, warm.
- Design Outcome: Tailored volume with crisp folds; holds shape.
- Challenges: Can itch or shrink; better add a lining
- Shop Suggestion: [Affiliate Link: Wool Fabrics on Joann] – Cozy and durable.
- Velvet or Velour is perfect for festive, theatrical, or standout occasions where texture and shimmer add flair. Vervet is lush, medium weight and drapey.
- Design Outcome: Opulent shimmer with soft volume.
- Sewing Challenges: Pile direction matters; attracts lint.
- Shop Suggestion: [Affiliate Link: Velvet on Amazon] – Add luxury to your wardrobe.
Sewing tutorial
An example of the assembled PDF sewing pattern for a 1/3 circle skirt and the corresponding (real) skirt image:
Once you have your pattern, you can follow the intructions in this video of how to sew such a skirt.
While making my 3/4 circle skirt, I encountered an “unpleasant surprise”: even though the pattern measurements were spot on, the hem ended up uneven, as you can see in the following images:
After some research, it appears to be a common issue (and not our fault). The hem of a circle skirt often ends up uneven because the fabric is cut on the bias in certain sections. The bias refers to the diagonal direction of the fabric weave, typically at a 45-degree angle to the straight grain (which runs parallel to the warp threads) and the cross grain (parallel to the weft threads). Fabric cut on the bias has greater stretch and drape compared to straight-grain cuts, which can lead to that uneven hemline.
At the end, I followed this tutorial https://weallsew.com/how-to-hem-a-circle-skirt/ to “equal” the skirt hem.
Final Notes
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Thank you so much!! This is exactly what I needed 🙏😍
You are welcome)))