Circle Skirt Calculator

A circle skirt calculator can be used to create measurements for making a circle skirt without a pattern. A circle skirt pattern is cut like a donut - the big circle is the hem of the skirt and the smaller inside circle is for the waist. Circle skirts flare out beautifully and are always flattering and in style for all body shapes.

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The best thing about sewing circle skirts is that you don't need a pattern. With a few simple calculations, you are ready to cut your skirt and start sewing.

Cirlcle Skirt Measurements

Before you start you will need to measure

Your Waist

Using your measuring tape, put it around your waist where you would like to wear the skirt. The tape should be snug but not pulled too tight.

Now add 1 inch (2.5cm) to this measurement for ease. Ease is the amount of excess you need from body measurements to make clothing comfortable. Adding 1 inch means that when the waistband to the skirt is added, it will still be comfortable.

Call this measurement WAIST

Waist = Actual Waist + 1 inch Ease

Skirt Length

The next calculation needed is the length of the skirt. Hold the tape measure at your waist and let it dangle down. Work out where you would like the skirt to end.

Common Skirt lengths include:

Mini - 18 -20 inches
Knee - 22 inches
Midi - 24-30 inches
Maxi - 40 inches

Add ½ inch (12mm) for a narrow hem. This will result in a double-fold hem of ¼ inch (6mm). Circular hems are best finished with a narrow hem to best deal with the curves. You will add a seam allowance at the waist at the end and not now.

LENGTH =Desired Length + Hem

Types of Circle Skirts

There are 3 types of circle skirts which depend on whether the full or part of a circle is used. This affects the fullness of the skirt and also how much fabric you will use. A quarter circle skirt uses the least amount of fabric and is best if you plan to make a longer skirt. Full circle skirts are best for those above the knee since longer skirts will require joining of the fabric.

Full circle skirt - Uses a full circle
Half circle skirt - Uses half a circle
Quarter circle skirt - Uses a quarter of a circle.

How to Use the Circle Skirt Calculator

Enter the type of skirt you wish to make. The options are a full circle skirt, half circle skirt, and quarter circle skirt.
Enter your waist measurement including the ease.
Enter the skirt length including the hem.
This will give you a radius and fabric length. Record them. See the next section on how to use these values.

Circle Skirt Formulas

If you want to do some maths instead of using the circle skirt calculator, here are the formulas you will need.

Radius

FULL CIRCLE SKIRT Radius = waist/6.28
HALF CIRCLE SKIRT Radius = 2 x waist/6.28
QUARTER CIRCLE SKIRT Radius = 4 x waist/6.28

Fabric Length

Fabric Length = Radius + Skirt Length

Turning the Circle Skirt Calculator into a Pattern

So now you have the formula values, the question is what do I do with them. Many tutorials have you drawing directly on the fabric but I recommend you make a paper pattern first. The reason is that you will need to add seam allowances for the sides and waist and may have to split up your pattern if your fabric is not wide enough.

Make your pattern as a quarter of the skirt. You will need a piece of paper that is square and at least 40 inches in size.

Mark a quarter circle the radius of the waist. Then a larger circle for the total length.

Drawing Curves - The easiest way to draw the curves of the circles is to pin a tape measure at the top point and rotate it at the required lengths. Make small marks every inch or so and then join up the marks.

Cutting Instructions from Circle Skirt Calculator

Full Circle Skirt

The Pattern

Due to the fact that we have only drawn a quarter of the pattern on your paper, we will need to cut the skirt accordingly. Mirror your pattern to get half the skirt. You will cut 2 halves. Here is your new pattern.

It is unlikely you will be able to cut a full circle skirt from the width of most fabrics. Common fabric widths are 44 inches or 60 inches. This means that you will need to cut 2 semi circles and join them at the sides. Your zipper will be inserted on one side.

Seam Allowances

Seam allowances will need to be added to your waist if you are adding a waistband and also the sides of the skirt.

Side Seams - Add ⅝ inch.
Waist Seam Allowance - Add ⅝ inch at the waist if you are adding a waistband. This can be 0 for a double-fold bias tape finish.

Half Circle Skirt Formula

The Pattern

Our original paper pattern is a quarter of a skirt and if we cut 2 of these out then we will get our half skirt.

Seam Allowances

Seam allowances will need to be added to your waist if you are adding a waistband and also the sides of the skirt. The zipper will go on one side and the other will be a plain seam.

Side Seams - Add ⅝ inch.
Waist Seam Allowance - Add ⅝ inch at the waist if you are adding a waistband. This can be 0 for a double-fold bias tape finish.

Quarter Circle Skirt Formula

The Pattern

Here we will use our paper pattern to just cut one piece of fabric. There will be one side seam in which you will insert a zipper.

Seam Allowances

Seam allowances will need to be added to your waist if you are adding a waistband and also the sides of the skirt.

Side Seams - Add ⅝ inch.
Waist Seam Allowance - Add ⅝ inch at the waist if you are adding a waistband. This can be 0 for a double-fold bias tape finish.

Circle Skirt Calculator - In Conclusion

So now you can start sewing your circle skirt. You can add a waistband and insert an invisible zipper on the side. Your hem is circular so will need special treatment. Read all about round hems.