(Left: Prada skirt from SS04. Right: From Waist Down exhibit)
In honor off the Waist Down: SKirtss by Miuccia Prada exhibit, I'm posting directions how how to make a circle skirt. A circle skirt is just like it's described, when you lay it out flat, it's in the shape of a circle. It's one of the the most basic forms of a skirt. These are general directions, be sure to add your own personal touch!
Materials
1.5 yards of light to medium weight fabric
1' wide grograin ribbon in matching color of fabric
Sewing thread
A large size snap button or hook and slide.
7" zipper
Tools
Fabric scissors
Pins
Tailor's chalk
Rulers
Measuring Tape
Sewing machine
Serger
Measurements
Waist (measure exactly around where you want the skirt to sit, don't measure too low!)
Length of skirt
Instructions
1. The waist measurement is like the circumference of a circle. Using this measurement, add 2" (for seam allowance), divide by 3.14, then divide by 2. This will give you the radius. For example if your waist measurement is 28", you will get 4.7" as the radius.
Note: If you only want to have one seam, you can just add only 1" as seam allowance when you calculate your radius. Then make sure to only cut one of the horizontal folds in step 5.
2. Fold your fabric half horizontally, then vertically. Use pins to hold in place.
3. Measure 4.7" (or your personal radius number) from the center point of the folds and mark. Do this several times on different angles until there is enough points to connect and mark the waistline. Mark 1/4" seam allowance above waistline. (Please see reader's comments for additional tips on fit)
4. Mark the length of the skirt desired. Measure from the waistline on different angles and connect to form a curved line. Mark 1/4" seam allowance below hemline. (Please see reader's comments for additional tips on fit)
5. Cut along marked lines (along marked seam allowances only). Now carefully cut along horizontal folds (this is the side seams).
6. Remove pins and unfold. Insert zipper on one side of seam. Sew along the side seams with 1/2" seam allowance. Serge seams and hem line. Fold 1/4" along hemline and sew.
7. Fold grograin ribbon in half width wise. Sew 1/4" along cut edge and turn with seams inward. Pins along edges. Edge stitch along one side ribbon. Sandwich skirt waist between the ribbon and pin. Carefully edge stitch along ribbon making sure skirt is caught in between. Note: Leave some excess ribbon on one side of the opening for button or hook and slide)
8. Sew snap button or hook and slide at the ribbon waist band opening.
See also Circle Skirts, Part 2
18 comments:
Great instructions, but I'd edit one thing. Since most women's cross-sections of waists or hips are much more oblong than circular, I would adjust the waist "radius" accordingly, and add another bit to allow the fabric to flow over the butt while still hanging at the same length as the front.
Great blog--I've been reading for a while now. You've made me look at knits in a very different way, making me more aware of the design possibilities.
I agree with the comment above that the pattern has to be altered slightly to accommodate a body's curve, namely the butt. Although its symmetrical geometry is quite beautiful, it will hang much shorter in the back than the front when being worn (rendering it...not so beautiful). However, I think it would be far easier to adjust the hemline instead of the waist radius. It would be very difficult to predict how much to add where around the waistline whereas the hemline can be adjusted at any time, preferably the end. Since each person is different it would be necessary to put the skirt on before determining where that adjustment needs to be made - this done by marking the same distance from the floor to the desired length of the skirt all the way around, then hemming along that line.
I love the pattern though. It's great how simple it is and it definitely maximizes the amount of fabric required. I'm also impressed that you were able to relay the instructions so well with only one visual. Well done.
Thanks Zoe and Kate. I'm going to suggest that people read these comment for additional options for fit. I'm glad you think the instructions are clear, I was concerned with that!
Thanks. I've been looking for that formula to come to me!
I just hit up the Prada skirts exhibit this weekend... if you arent already in NYC, get yourself here and see it, its wonderful
When I was little, I made tons of skirts for my dolls by cutting circles from my mother's fabric scraps. It never dawned on me that this works for humans as well.
what sort of fabric would you recommend using for this. I've never sewn anything before and am keen to try and looks firly simple, however i have no ida what light to medium weight fabric actually means! sorry to be rubbish!
I just made one of these skirts - so easy and fun! However, it is super short. With the fabric (44 inches or so) folded this way, how can you get the skirt longer? This one is just too short! Thanks!
Thanks for leaving a comment. Try a wider width of fabric, such as 60 inch width
thank you for making that so easy!! my daughter is almost 7, she's watched grease like 100 times, and refuses to wear anything but dresses like that and capri's, so the capri's are covered, and the dresses, pretty well covered, the skirts, i've been looking all over, and no luck, i'm not good with the words, until one said, "circle skirt" YAY then i found this!!! you are the total BOMB!!! i just scored tons of fabric on freecycle.org for her, so now i can get busy!!! WOOO HOOO!!! Thank You!!! {{{HUGZ}}} ~Medo
:o
Lovely tutorial, thanks very much.
I was just wondering if I am wearing a large poofy petticoat underneath, should I still adjust the back a bit, or is that unneccesary?
I don't see any reason to change the back just because of a petticoat worn underneath.
Well, in the earlier comments, they said that the back should be adjusted a bit.
And I thought that maybe a petticoat would even out that problem.
Can you do this without a serger?
Yes, you could. Make a wider seam allowence and top stitch the edges down for a neat finish. Or use french seams. Or cut the fabric out with pinking shears.
I've made several "twirling" dressup dresses for my granddaughters and just guessed at the waste cut - thanks for the formula. My problem has been that the hem sags on the bias - thought I'd try hanging the skirt up for a few days before hemming next time and see if that helps.
This was so helpful to me! I used it to make my halloween costume :)
I posted about how I made my costume, and linked it back to here-- I just had to share! Thanks so much!
http://stella-shoshannah.blogspot.com/2009/10/last-minute-ariel-costume.html
I love it! Very creative!That's actually really cool.
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馬城界隨意部落格
參觀,Thanks
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