Pattern Description:
This easy circle skirt pattern offers a quick, beginner-friendly way to sew a flattering, flowy skirt customized to your measurements. Using simple templates, you can cut and assemble the skirt with minimal effort.
The design pairs beautifully with knit fabrics for soft movement, and an optional square-hem version provides even simpler cutting and hemming. Perfect for warm-weather wardrobes and fast weekend sewing.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
Materials Needed (Supplies)
- Circle Skirt pattern (available at the end of the original post).
- Sewing tools.
- Sewing machine.
- 1–2 yards of 2 inch elastic.
- 2–3 yards of fabric. The exact yardage (2 or 3 yards) depends on your specific measurements, which you determine using the pattern.
- Fabric recommendations: The favorite fabric type to use is a double knit fabric. Recommended specific fabrics include Liverpool fabric (a polyester fabric with a crepe-like look), interlock fabric, ponte de roma fabric, or scuba fabric.
- These knit fabrics offer enough body and drape to move beautifully and do not roll up at the hem.
- You should prewash the fabric and treat it the same way you plan to wash and dry the finished skirt to remove any shrinkage before cutting and sewing.
Measurements
- You must use the circle skirt template (found at the end of the original post) to measure yourself.
- These self-measurements help find the radius for the waist and the hem.
- The radius points are then marked on the fabric.
- To size the waistband, measure the elastic around your waist and pull it tight until it feels comfortable.
- Be sure to account for seam allowances when cutting the elastic.
Instructions for Making the Easy Circle Skirt Pattern:
Measuring and Cutting the Skirt and Elastic
Measuring the Skirt
You must use the circle skirt template (found at the end of the original post) to measure yourself. These measurements will help you find the radius for both the waist and the hem.
Cutting the Fabric
Once you have your measurements:
- Mark your waist and hem radius points on the fabric.
- If you need guidance on folding the material before cutting, first fold the fabric in half selvedge to selvedge, and then fold it again in half cut edge to cut edge.
- Cut out the skirt.
Cutting the Elastic Waistband
To size the waistband:
- Measure the elastic around your waist.
- Pull the elastic tight until it feels comfortable.
- Account for seam allowances and then cut the elastic.
Sewing the Waistband
- Prepare the Elastic: Zigzag or serge the raw edges of the elastic separately.
- Join the Elastic: Sew the elastic ends together using a straight stitch.
- Secure the Seam: Topstitch a rectangle around the sewn seam allowance to secure it and help it lie flat.
- Pinning (Preparation): Divide the finished elastic piece into four equal sections and mark them with pins. Similarly, divide the skirt waist into four sections and pin them.
- Attaching Elastic: Place the skirt and elastic with right sides together. Match up the four pins on the elastic with the four pins on the skirt waist. Ensure you line up the raw edge of the skirt with the edge of the elastic. Continue pinning in between the four main pins.
- Final Stitching: Sew around the waist and attached elastic using a zigzag stitch and a 1/4″ seam allowance. Finish the edges.
Optional Square Hem
As an alternative, you can create a square hem circle skirt. This version is slightly easier to mark and cut out. It is also simplified for hemming because all the lines are straight.
Although cutting a circle skirt like this might not result in a perfectly horizontal hem, if this concerns you, you can have someone mark the same distance from the floor while you are wearing the skirt. Cutting along this new marked line will make your hem perfectly straight.
Now your Easy Circle Skirt Pattern is complete.
