It’s a DIY: Full Circle Skirt

ChiChi wearing a red and black full circle skirt standing in front of an ant mural

An easy DIY for a beginner sewer is a full circle skirt. It’s a simple pattern to master if you’re not scared to do a little math. I never thought that I would be using middle school math formulas in my adult years. However, please don’t let a little diameter and radius calculation formula deter you from creating this fun skirt.

black woman in full circle skirt by ants wall

To create the skirt

  • Start with a circle skirt pattern. This video on YouTube is easy and straight to the point. You can find it here.
  • In order to make your skirt extra full, double your waist measurement in the formula. This will guarantee that the body of your skirt will be extra wide.
  • You will have to add large box pleats in skirt before you add the waistband. I added a total of 6 pleats or tucks in body of my skirt. This part may be tricky because you will need to make sure the skirts waist fits your waistband.
  • Then finish sewing the skirt as described in the video.
  • To add the band at the bottom of the skirt, cut a 4 inch wide band that follows the skirt curve. It should the entire length of the skirt. Attach to the bottom and hem.
Black woman with curly hair wearing full circle skirt standing in front of a ant mural

The trick to having a really full circle skirt is to use a thick fabric. The thicker the fabric, the more volume your skirt will have. I chose to use red and black medium weight neoprene. Neoprene already has a nice weight to it that allows for easy volume and plus it feels super soft. You can also use heavy weight denim, fabrics used for upholstery, and wool tweed. I might make this skirt again and might have to make a video of my own. What do you think?

Black woman wearing a red neoprene circle skirt with curly wig.
ChiChi standing in front of an ant mural wall wearing a red neoprene circle skirt

I styled my skirt with an old button up shirt from Nordstrom rack and old black sandals. You can find some of the shoe options here, here, or here. A full circle skirt is a classic closet essentials and can be worn as both day and night looks.

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11 Comments

  1. March 9, 2020 / 11:17 pm

    I love it. You look great! The entire outfit!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      March 11, 2020 / 11:44 pm

      Thanks so much!

  2. March 10, 2020 / 7:52 am

    Love this my mom sewed and she use to be the queen missed having one of a kind things that no one else had. This skirt looks great!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      March 11, 2020 / 11:44 pm

      Thank you! Yes, sewing does give you a one of a kind wardrobe.

  3. March 10, 2020 / 10:27 am

    I love the skirt! I love the colors! I learned to sew when I was in 8th grade but never kept up with it. We made all kinds of things in class and really had I kept up with it I would know how to make clothes because I was pretty good.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      March 11, 2020 / 11:43 pm

      Thanks! It’s never too late to start it up again.

  4. Leslie
    March 10, 2020 / 8:49 pm

    Love the color and the fit! You’ll be able to rock this in so many ways. Great job!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      March 11, 2020 / 11:42 pm

      Thanks! Yes, it’s so versatile.

  5. March 11, 2020 / 10:51 am

    I love this look head to toe. Circle skirts are my favorite because they are forgiving. You can pair them with any kind of shoe and rock them.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      March 11, 2020 / 11:41 pm

      Yes, you’re right! They’re so forgiving

  6. March 12, 2020 / 10:16 am

    I love everything about this skirt. Your hair and shoes really set it off!

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