Wardrobe Basics: Sew a 3/4 Circle Skirt

Circle skirts are one of those rare, magical wardrobe staples that are both easy to sew and flattering on just about everyone. Because of the drape of the fabric and the fullness of the skirt, you don’t generally need to worry about pulling across the hips, stretching over backsides, or other common fit problems, so you can simply twirl into the morning/afternoon/evening with confidence and style! And, unlike most DIY sewing projects, the math doesn’t change based on age or size—the same pattern-making technique can be used for you, your grandma, your BFF, and your BFF’s kid sister. Pretty neat, right?

Circle skirts can be made in full, half, or 3/4 versions, descriptions which refer to the fullness of the skirt and how much fabric you’ll use. To get a better idea of the difference between the versions, consider the twirl factor: a full circle skirt will make the widest circle when you spin around while wearing it.

Ready to test your own skirt-making savvy? This fantastic 3/4 circle skirt tutorial from Devon at Miss Make is one of the clearest and most thorough tutorials that I’ve seen yet. It’ll take you through the entire process, from waist measurement to usable sewing pattern to sewing the skirt, in one easy-to-follow guide.