CAITLIN CIRCLE SKIRT

Sewing a Circle Skirt with Yoga Waistband

Transcript for Video: Caitlin – Circle Skirt Drafting with or without a Pattern

Hi everyone and welcome to the Wonderland skirt. I'm going to show you how you can cut this circle skirt without a pattern. Of course you can buy my pattern too, but if you don't want to, this is how.

Calculating the Waist Radius

Measure the hip of your child. If that measurement is 68 cm, divide it by 6.28 (twice pi). That gives you 10.82, which we round to 10.8 cm.

From the corner of your paper, we create a quarter circle. Measure down 10.8 cm from the corner, and also add 1 cm for seam allowance so it doesn’t end up too small.

Then measure the full skirt length and also add 1 cm seam allowance.

Drafting and Cutting the Skirt

Cut out the quarter circle piece.

Duplicate it three times and tape the pieces together. This is easier than folding fabric.

You will cut both lining and outer fabric.

Place both layers right sides together, put the pattern on top, and cut out the shape.

Remove the pattern and pin the layers while still flat on the floor.

Sewing the Skirt Panels

Sew all the way around the outer edge with a 1 cm seam allowance.

This avoids the difficulty of hemming a full circle skirt later.

Cut back seam allowances and turn the skirt right side out.

Press carefully around the curves for a smooth finish.

Yoga Waistband Construction

Now sew the yoga waistband.

Change to a ballpoint needle to avoid skipped stitches.

Sew with a 1 cm seam allowance and maintain slight stretch as you sew.

Press the seam open after stitching.

Preparing Skirt Sections for Assembly

If fabric has shifted, trim edges to restore a clean circular shape.

Mark four points: side seams and center front/back by matching opposite points and clipping.

Do the same marking on the skirt body.

Match these four points when attaching waistband.

Attaching the Waistband

Place the yoga waistband over the skirt.

Sew from the waistband side for better control.

Match the four key points first, then stretch evenly between them.

Use a stretch stitch or triple stitch to maintain elasticity.

A zigzag stitch can also be used, but a triple stitch gives stronger hold.

Overlocking and Finishing

Overlock the seam while gently stretching the fabric.

This ensures flexibility and durability at the waist.

Press lightly to finish.

Conclusion

and that’s the circle skirt complete.

You get a clean hem, smooth silhouette, and a comfortable yoga waistband without needing a pattern.

Circle Skirt with Elasticated Waistband

Transcript for the Video: Caitlin - Circle Skirt with elasticated Waistband

Welcome to the Wonderland skirt. In this project, you will learn how to construct a circle skirt and explore different waistband variations depending on fabric stretch and design requirements.

Design Overview

This skirt is part of the Wonderland Collection, which includes multiple mix-and-match pieces. The design can be adapted using different waistband constructions, including yoga waistbands and elastic-supported waistbands for fabrics with lower stretch recovery.

The skirt is fully lined and finished with clean internal seams, giving a professional and structured result.

Fabric Considerations

This design works best with knit or jersey fabrics. Fabric with moderate stretch is ideal, though less stretchy materials can also be used when reinforced with elastic in the waistband.

For fabrics with lower elasticity, adding elastic inside the waistband helps maintain shape and fit.

Pattern Calculation (Circle Skirt Method)

To draft a circle skirt without a pattern, the waist measurement is divided by twice pi (approximately 6.28). This value determines the radius for the waist opening.

Once calculated, measurements are taken from a corner point to form a quarter circle. Seam allowance is added to both the waistline and skirt length.

The skirt pattern is then duplicated and joined to form a full circle before cutting fabric.

Cutting and Assembly

The lining and outer fabric are placed right sides together and cut simultaneously. The pieces are then pinned and sewn around the outer edge using a consistent seam allowance.

After sewing, seam allowances are trimmed and the skirt is turned through and pressed carefully for a clean edge.

Waistband Option 1: Yoga Waistband

The yoga waistband is constructed using a folded elasticized jersey band. The width is based on the waist measurement minus a small reduction for fit.

The waistband is sewn into a continuous loop, pressed, and divided into four equal sections. The same division is marked on the skirt to ensure even distribution.

The waistband is attached by matching these four points and stretching evenly while sewing.

A triple stitch or zigzag stitch is recommended to maintain elasticity.

Waistband Option 2: Elastic-Reinforced Waistband

For fabrics with lower stretch recovery, a separate elastic is inserted into the waistband casing.

The waistband is cut based on elastic width plus seam allowance, sewn into a loop, and pressed.

Elastic is inserted and secured inside the waistband before attaching it to the skirt.

The waistband is then divided into four equal sections and matched with the skirt sections.

It is sewn in place using a zigzag or stretch stitch to maintain flexibility and strength.

Finishing

Once the waistband is attached, the skirt is overlocked around the seam for a clean internal finish.

The result is a fully lined circle skirt with a smooth waistband and professional construction.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates multiple waistband techniques for circle skirts, allowing adaptation based on fabric choice and desired fit. The construction method prioritizes clean finishing, durability, and ease of assembly.