Q&A for How to Make a Circle Skirt

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  • Question
    How do you cut a circle skirt?
    Margo West
    Professional Tailor
    Margo West is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Margo West Bridal Alterations in Dallas, Texas. She is renowned for her expertise in bridal alterations, custom wedding gowns, wedding-related design, and pattern making. Her 44 years of bridal experience has earned her the prestigious WeddingWire Brides Choice Award, Couples Choice Award 2013-2019, and The Knot Best of Weddings 2018-2020. Margo was also featured in House of Diffa 2018 Jacket Collection and Modern Luxury Brides Magazine 2020. She will launch her new bridal gown collection for fall 2021.
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    Fold your fabric over along the selvage so the top meets the bottom. This should give you a square and 4 layers. Lay the fabric so the folded edges are closest to you. Divide your waist measurement by 4, then draw a curve that is that length from end to end. Cut along that curve, then measure down along both folded edges to the length of your skirt. Draw another curved line between those points, and cut along that.
  • Question
    How much fabric do you need for a circle skirt?
    Margo West
    Professional Tailor
    Margo West is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Margo West Bridal Alterations in Dallas, Texas. She is renowned for her expertise in bridal alterations, custom wedding gowns, wedding-related design, and pattern making. Her 44 years of bridal experience has earned her the prestigious WeddingWire Brides Choice Award, Couples Choice Award 2013-2019, and The Knot Best of Weddings 2018-2020. Margo was also featured in House of Diffa 2018 Jacket Collection and Modern Luxury Brides Magazine 2020. She will launch her new bridal gown collection for fall 2021.
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    Start with fabric that's 45-60" in width. Measure your waist and the preferred length of your skirt and write those numbers down. Then, add an extra 1" to the skirt length for the top seam allowance and a small hem and cut the fabric to that length.
  • Question
    Can I replace the skirt with something else? All I have are shorts and jeans.
    Community Answer
    You can just measure instead of using the skirt. Measure your waist and divide it by 6.28. This will be the radius of the waist section of your skirt.
  • Question
    Do I have to add a waistband? Can I just add a large hem in top?
    Community Answer
    You definitely want something to keep the skirt up, so you'll need some kind of waistband. You can use a length of elastic instead.
  • Question
    Can I make an ankle length one?
    Miranda Duggan
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it may prove difficult to find a length of fabric wide enough for this purpose. You may have to purchase two lengths and sew them together, so the seams lay along the sides of your hips.
  • Question
    Do I have to use stretchy fabric?
    Community Answer
    No, you can use non-stretchy material too. Just add a zip at the side or at the back for easy wearing.
  • Question
    What do I do without the zipper?
    Community Answer
    Since you make it to your size and you are supposed to use stretchy fabric, the skirt should just slip on with a bit of stretch and it won't fall down because your hips are wider than your waist and the fabric clings. Of course, that doesn't stop you from adding a zipper, clasps, hooks or whatever else you need for the sake of reassurance.
  • Question
    How do l fix the zipper to the skirt?
    Community Answer
    Cut the fabric where you want the zipper to be, fold the material over once, and sew it to the zipper's fabric.
  • Question
    How much material do I need to make a size 32 full circle skirt?
    Community Answer
    Measure the circumference of your waist and then measure how far down you want the skirt to come. That will be the radius for a larger circle and the outer edge would be the hem.
  • Question
    How long is the skirt when it's done?
    Community Answer
    However long you decided to make it. Use your waist size and your preferred length.
  • Question
    How much material do I need to make a long skirt?
    Community Answer
    Measure the circumference of your hips and divide that number by 2π. Next, measure from your waist to just below where you want the skirt to fall. Add the numbers together and multiply the answer by two to find the area of the amount of material you need for your skirt.
  • Question
    Can you tell me the kind of this sewing machine this is? I want to buy one.
    Community Answer
    It is a Brother DS-140. Brother is a reliable and inexpensive brand. You can find quite a few used ones on eBay.
  • Question
    Can I use fabric that is not stretchy for a circle skirt?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use non-stretchy material for your skirt, just be sure to add a zipper at the side or the back so you can easily take it on and off.
  • Question
    How much fabric do I need to make a skirt that reaches my feet?
    Community Answer
    The length from your waist to your ankle, plus an extra inch or two for the hem.
  • Question
    What thread is used for putting together a circle skirt?
    Kim M
    Community Answer
    It will depend on the fabric you use. You need to buy thread to match your fabric.
  • Question
    How can I calculate how much fabric I will need to line a circle skirt?
    Kim M
    Community Answer
    If you're lining the whole thing, you'll need just as much fabric as you're using for the outer part of the skirt.
  • Question
    What does it mean when they refer to where a skirt "falls" when making a circle skirt?
    Community Answer
    How far you want your skirt to fall means how long it will be, and where on your body it reaches (i.e. above the knee, knee-length, calves, etc.).
  • Question
    How do I make a circle skirt if I can't measure the waistband?
    Kate Danvers
    Community Answer
    There are plenty of circle skirt waistband calculators online. If you know your waist measurement, then enter it and it will give you the correct radius for your waist opening (Equivalent to the skirt in this tutorial folded four times.)
  • Question
    Can I use this to make a doll skirt? I am trying to make a skirt for my doll.
    Mary Beth Toca
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just make sure to scale everything down to the size of your doll. It might help to use an elastic waist since dolls are harder to dress than a human body.
  • Question
    How do I adjust the waist if it's too big?
    Community Answer
    Rip out the seams, re-sew them and trim off the excess fabric.
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