Tips for How to Make Your Own Circle Skirt

Circle skirts are one of the most fun and versatile styles of skirts that you can wear. They can be made long or short, they are comfortable to wear and they are surprisingly easy to make. Even if you just have basic sewing skills you should be able to easily make your own circle skirt and have a fun new handmade piece of clothing to wear. Here are instructions on how to make your own circle skirt.

What you need:

A square of fabric at least 1 yard by 1 yard. Try using an old sheet in a pretty print if you want to be frugal!
Measuring Tape
Elastic
Needle & Thread
Straight Pins
Scissors

To get started making your own circle skirt, take a measurement of the widest part of your hips. Since the skirt pulls on with an elastic waist you need enough material to fit around your widest part or you won't be able to get it up past your hips. If you would like you can make a template out of a piece of cardboard or paper cut into a circle the size of your hips, but I find it easier just to lay the measuring tape in a circle in the middle of the fabric and trace around it with a marker or fabric pencil. Your marks will be folded down inside the skirt so it doesn't matter if it is a little sloppy.

Once you have the circle the size of your hips drawn onto the center of the fabric you need to cut it out. Poke a hole in the middle of the circle, cut from there over to the edge of the circle and cut along the line that you drew to create the hole for your waist.

Next, trace a circle around the outside edge of the fabric making it as large as the square will allow. You can adjust the length of the skirt after it is done and it is better to start with it too long that too short since it is easier to hem it up than to try to add fabric to it later. Cut around the circle on the outside edge of the fabric. You should now have a piece of fabric that is shaped sort of like a pineapple ring - a circle with a hole in the middle.

Now cut a piece of elastic that is long enough to comfortably fit around your waist wherever you plan to have the top of your skirt while you are wearing it. Make sure the elastic is not stretched to fit around your waist or it won't sit where you want it to when you wear it. Use your needle and thread to stitch the ends of the elastic together so that is forms a circle. Then, on the inner circle of the skirt, fold the fabric over the ring of elastic all the way around and pin it into place, making sure not to pin through the elastic. The fabric should bunch up around the elastic. Sew around the entire circle using your needle and thread.

Next, put the skirt on and decide if it is the right length or if you want to cut it shorter. If you do cut it shorter don't go overboard and cut too much all at once. It is better to take a little off at a time and try it on so that you don't accidentally cut it shorter than you wanted it. Keep in mind that you will be adding a hem to the bottom which will shorten it a little bit as well.

Once you have the circle skirt the length you want, pin the hem under and stitch it into place with your needle and thread.

Wasn't that easy? Now enjoy wearing your new circle skirt! If you want to make this project even easier you can start with a small, round table cloth in a pretty print or color and you won't even need to hem the bottom of the skirt.