A circle skirt is cut from a ring of fabric: the inner circle is your waist, the outer edge is the hem. A full circle swings and twirls; a half or quarter circle is calmer and uses less fabric. Sewly computes the waist radius from your waist measurement and draws the front and back for the fullness and length you pick, so there is no arithmetic and no compass on the floor.
Circle skirt options
- Fullness: full circle (the default), three-quarter, half or quarter circle.
- Length: mini, above the knee, knee (default), midi or maxi, plus an adjustment of up to 25 cm (10 in) either way.
- Waist: a waistband with a zip (default), or a pull-on elastic waist. For the elastic version, the waist is cut wide enough to pass over your hips and the elastic draws it in.
- Zip: in the left side seam (default) or at center back.
- Elastic width: from 1 to 5 cm (3/8 to 2 in), 3 cm (1 1/4 in) by default.
Sizes
Use your own measurements or a standard women's size, EU 32–54 (US 0–22, UK 4–26), or a children's size from 2 to 14 years. A circle skirt only needs your waist (plus your hip for the elastic version) and a length, which is why it fits so easily.
Best fabrics for a circle skirt
The pattern works in wovens and knits: viscose challis, cotton lawn, crepe, double gauze, scuba knit or taffeta. Drapey fabrics fall in soft folds; taffeta and scuba stand away from the body. Watch for nap and directional prints: parts of a circle skirt run in every direction, so a one-way print ends up sideways or upside down in places.
How hard is it to sew?
An advanced beginner project. There are few seams, but the waist is a curve that stretches, and the hem runs partly on the bias. Allow 3 to 4 hours of sewing, plus a night of hanging before you hem.
What's in the pattern
- Skirt front, cut on the fold
- Skirt back, cut on the fold, or in two halves when the zip is at center back
- Waistband, given as cutting dimensions (waistband version)
For a long full circle, the pattern notes when you can lay the piece on fabric folded twice to fit it across the width. Notions: a 20 cm (8 in) invisible zip, fusible interfacing and a button or hook and eye, or elastic cut to your waist. The guide gives the fabric quantity for 110, 140 and 150 cm (45, 55 and 60 in) wide fabric, with a cutting layout.
How to sew a circle skirt
- Staystitch the waist of the front and back so the curve keeps its size.
- Sew and finish the side seams.
- Insert the zip and attach the waistband, or sew the elastic casing.
- Hang the skirt for a night so the bias sections can drop, then level the hem.
- Sew a 1 cm (3/8 in) narrow hem, which follows the curve without ripples, and press.
To see the numbers behind the shape, try the circle skirt calculator. Our project post on sewing a circle skirt cut to your waist walks through each step with tips on hems.
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for a circle skirt?
It depends more on length and fullness than on size. A knee-length full circle skirt usually takes 2.5 to 3.5 m (2 3/4 to 3 7/8 yd) of 140 to 150 cm (55 to 60 in) wide fabric; a half circle takes roughly half of that, around 1.3 to 2 m (1 1/2 to 2 1/4 yd). Sewly computes the exact quantity for your size and fabric width.
Should I choose a full or a half circle skirt?
A full circle gives the most swing and twirl but uses the most fabric and has the most bias to manage. A half circle still moves beautifully, uses less fabric and sits flatter at the hip, which many people find easier to wear every day.
Why is my circle skirt hem uneven?
The parts of the hem cut on the bias stretch more than the parts on the straight grain. Hang the skirt for a night before hemming, then trim the hem level while it is on you or on a dress form.
Can I make a circle skirt in a knit fabric?
Yes. Scuba and other stable knits work well and do not fray, so the hem can be left raw or finished with a narrow zigzag. Sewly uses a 1 cm (3/8 in) seam allowance on knits by default.
