Simple Circle Skirt Tutorial

How is summer for you? Do you get more time for sewing or less? I feel like summer is an interesting time-there’s long lazy days, but I also have all 4 kids home, so sometimes I *think* I am going to get time to do all the things I want to and I end up doing none of those things. But that’s ok, because often that involves me sitting in the pool…anyway, this is a perfect summer sewing tutorial because it’s quick and easy but it’s also a great summer outfit! Katie from Made to be a Momma is here today with a Simple Skirt Tutorial for you to make today!

Here’s Katie!

Hi Friends!  It’s Katie from Made to be a Momma here again to share this simple and adorable circle skirt I made for my daughter.  The best part about this tutorial is you can adjust the measurements to fit any age or size.   This tutorial does require a little bit of math but it’s not too hard…trust me! For this circle skirt I used a semi-stretchy knit fabric but many different types of fabrics will work with this pattern.  I would avoid heavy fabric as it can quickly become bulky.  I like to stick with knit fabrics and cotton fabrics.   This skirt is perfectly bouncy for a little girl that loves to spend her days twirling and chasing her brothers!

Simple Circle Skirt Tutorial:

Supplies Needed:

• Fabric, amount will depend on what your end size needs to be. For my daughter, who is 18 months old, 1 yard was plenty with a bit extra to make something else.
• Sewing Machine
• Elastic, I prefer 2 inch wide for these types of skirts.
• Pins

First you will need to do a little match.  We need to figure out the radius so we can cut out the right size circle for the waist.  Radius=circumference (your childs waist + 1 inch for a little give in the skirt)  ÷ 2π ( a.k.a. 2 x 3.14)    So for example,  My daughters waist is roughly 17 inches + 1 =18.   18 ÷ 6.26  = roughly 3.  I made 1/4 donut pattern cutting out a 3 inch spot on the bottom.

Her skirt was roughly 8 inches long so from that 3 inch circle I measured another 8 inches and marked it again.   Normally if you are using a cotton fabric or a fabric that needs a finished edge you should add another inch to the length.

I cut out my pattern and placed it on top of my fabric which was folded in fourths.  I then cut my skirt from that pattern.

You should be left with 1/4 of a circle. :) Don’t worry if the middle waist area looks big.  We will be gathering it with the elastic which gives it that nice bouncy circle look!

Next you will need to cut your elastic about 1/2 an inch longer than your child’s waist.  Some sewists prefer to cut the elastic even longer but for my daughter  I didn’t feel it was necessary.   Sew your elastic together.

Now you will want to pin your elastic to the top edge of your skirt.  I pinned the front middle, back middle, and then the middle of both sides.  After I secured those four spots I added pins equally around the skirt.  You only need to pin enough of your fabric for your machine needle to sew it to the elastic waistband.  Again, if you are using a fabric that will fray you may want to serge or zig zag stitch the top of your skirt before sewing it to the elastic.

Once all the pins are in place begin sewing your elastic to your skirt.  Make sure you are pulling the elastic taunt as your are sewing to prevent any gaps of fabric and to give the skirt the nice full appearance.

If you are using a fabric that will fray now is the time to sew the bottom edge of the skirt.  For my daughters skirt I just left the edges unfinished since they wouldn’t fray.

She loves walking around in her little skirt and it’s actually a nice cool summer outfit!  During the fall and cooler months she will just need a pair of leggings to go with it! :)