Definition
A circle skirt is a skirt cut as a ring of fabric, or part of one, that fits at the waist and flares into soft, even folds.
The waist of a circle skirt is a circle, or an arc, whose length equals your waist; the hem is a larger circle, its radius increased by the skirt length. The waist radius comes from dividing the waist measurement:
| Skirt | Waist radius | Example, 70 cm (27 1/2 in) waist |
|---|---|---|
| Full circle | waist ÷ 6.28 | 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in) |
| Three-quarter | waist ÷ 4.71 | 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in) |
| Half circle | waist ÷ 3.14 | 22.3 cm (8 3/4 in) |
| Quarter circle | waist ÷ 1.57 | 44.6 cm (17 1/2 in) |
Many sewists subtract 1 to 2 cm (3/8 to 3/4 in) from the waist measurement first, because the waist edge is partly on the bias and stretches as you sew.
Full circles take a lot of fabric: a knee-length full circle usually needs two lengths of wide fabric, joined with side seams. The parts of the skirt on the bias stretch and drop, so let it hang for 24 hours before leveling the hem and finishing it with a narrow hem.
Fluid fabrics fall in soft folds, while crisp ones stand out. Sewly's circle skirt can be a full, three-quarter, half or quarter circle and is drafted to your waist. To do the math yourself, use the circle skirt calculator.