How to sew a skirt – a simple step-by-step guide

Sew a skirt
Step by step to the circle skirt

© FXQuadro / Shutterstock

Sewing a skirt without a pattern? It's not as laborious as you might think. In the step-by-step instructions, we will show you how to tailor a beautiful circle skirt!

Let's be honest: we just love how beautifully a circle skirt swings! Not only that, it also somehow always looks elegant and can be combined in many ways. And: You can easily sew such a beautiful skirt yourself, because the instructions are also ideal for beginners!

Which fabrics are suitable?

The following materials are suitable as skirt fabrics:

Sewing a skirt: preparation for a circle skirt

For a full circle skirt without a zipper you need:

  • 1.5 x 1.5 m fabric of your choice
  • 1 mx 2 cm elastic waistband (or cuffs)
  • matching color Sewing thread
  • Circle
  • scissors
  • Tape measure
  • chalk/Pen

The specified amount of substance is only a guideline. Because the amount of fabric required depends primarily on how long the skirt should be and how wide the fabric is.

Tip: If you decide on tulle, you will need several layers (approx. 7) and a color-matching lining.

Take the right measurements

You need the following measurements for your skirt:

  • Skirt length
  • Hip width
  • waist size

To do this, you should first think about how long the skirt should be. A comfortable length are z. B. 55 cm, you can of course cut it shorter (e.g. 30 cm) or longer.

The second measure you need is yours Hip width. And this is how you calculate the dimensions: Widest part of the hip divide by 3.14, then divide by 2. Example with a hip circumference of 100 cm: 100: 3.14 = 31.847: 2 = 15.923

Rounded up to 16 cm. We'll show you how to use this to prepare your pattern below in the instructions.

You can also prepare the size of the waist band in advance:

  1. Wrap the band around your waist so that it fits comfortably with the ends at the front. Now mark where you want it to end on each side.
  2. Place the markings on top of each other, the front sides of the waist band are on top of each other.
  3. Now sew together at the markings and shorten the protruding ends down to 1 cm.
  4. Sew them vertically so they don't stick out.
  5. Now you need four more marks so that you can sew on the waistband later:
  6. The seam is at one end, now make a mark exactly on the other side.
  7. Now place the seam on this marking and now make two more marks, one on the opposite end.

Sew a skirt: create a template

With the dimensions you can now create a cutting template, pattern paper, packaging paper, but also old newspapers etc. are suitable for this.

  • Now cut out a square from the selected paper with the side length of the hip width and skirt length, i.e. 16 cm + 55 cm = 71 cm.
  • Start at the top left and measure the hip width of 16 cm to the right and 16 cm to the right and mark the places. You connect the two points with a compass. Now measure the skirt length from the markings at 55 cm, once downwards and once from above to the right.
  • For the hem: start at the top left and measure 71 cm (hip width + skirt length) all around.
  • Now you can cut out the template along the lines (the cuff at the top, the hem at the bottom).

Sewing a skirt: step-by-step instructions

  1. Fold the fabric lengthways right sides together, selvedge against selvedge
  2. Now fold it in half again so that you get a square. The selvedges are down, so facing you.
  3. Place your pattern on the top left, possibly fixing it with needles. Transfer the pattern to the fabric with chalk. Before you cut out, add approx. 1 cm of seam to the cuff and 2 cm to the hem.
  4. When you've transferred the pattern, use needles or clips to hold the fabric in place at the hem, sides, and cuff so that it doesn't slip while you cut.
  5. Cut along the markings.
  6. Spread the skirt out, fold it in the middle, right side out.
  7. On the waistline, mark the four sections that were created by folding.
  8. Now put the waist band inside out in the skirt: the seam is on the first mark.
  9. Now fix the three marks on the other rock marks.
  10. Close the gaps that have arisen by securing the fabric horizontally to the tape with additional needles.
  11. Sew the fabric and elastic together with an elastic stitch. Make sure that the waistband is always kept tight.
  12. Overcast the hem with a zigzag stitch of about one to one and a half centimeters.

You can find even more great DIY projects on our sewing topic. We show z. B. how you can sew a cosmetic bag or make a pouf yourself!

Sewing a skirt – even more inspiration for a wonderful circle skirt

Video tip: Sewing a pillowcase: Instructions for beginners

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