In this post, you’ll learn how to sew a half circle | skater skirt.
Do you love sewing and want to make your own skirt? Are you looking for a simple and flattering skirt pattern that is perfect for any occasion? If yes, then you will love this tutorial on how to make a half circle skirt with pockets and zipper.
A half circle skirt is a classic and versatile skirt that can suit any body type and style. It has a smooth and fitted waistband that flares out into a flowy and elegant hem. It is easy to make and requires minimal sewing skills and materials. Plus, it looks great with any top and shoes.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to:
- Measure yourself and draft a custom half circle skirt pattern
- Cut and sew your fabric for a half circle skirt
- Add pockets and zipper to your half circle skirt
- Hem your half circle skirt to your desired length
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a beautiful half circle skirt with pockets and zipper that you can proudly wear and show off. You will also get a free pattern in 8 sizes that you can download and print at home. 🙌
Ready to get started? Let’s go! ✂️
How to Draft a Pattern for a Half Circle Skirt
To make a half circle skirt, you need to start with a pattern. You can either use a ready-made pattern or draft your own pattern based on your measurements. In this tutorial, I will show you how to draft your own pattern. It is easy and fun, and you can customize it to fit your body perfectly. 😊
Here are the steps to draft a pattern for a half circle skirt:
o make a half circle, you’ll need to start with a pattern. Here’s a simplified process:
Measure Your Waist: This will be the inner circle of your pattern.
Example:
Wasit Measurements 68 – 4 cm = 64 cm
64:3= 21.3 cm
How to measure yourself for self pattern drafting.
Free PDF pattern for Skater Skirt
You can also download and print a free pattern in 8 sizes . The pattern is in the form of a downloadable PDF template that you can print on A4 or letter size paper and tape together. . Just choose the size that matches your waist measurement and print it out. 😊
Learn how to measure yourself to choose the best size.
Check out as well:
How to print and assemble free PDF patterns
How to cut out sewing patterns with tips and tools
How to add seam allowance in sewing
What do you Need to Sew Half Circle |Skater Skirt
To sew a circle skirt, you’ll need
- a half circle skirt pattern,
- a fabric of your choice,
- an elastic band,
- a zipper or buttons,
- a sewing machine, learn more on how to use sewing machine
- a needle and thread, learn on sewing needles here
- scissors, check out my post on scissors in sewing
- pins,
- a ruler, grab my free rulers for pattern drafting and sewing
- a compass,
- and an iron.
You can use my free template with a circle skirt pattern in 8 sizes, or you can make your own pattern following these instructions:
How to Cut and Sew Your Fabric for a Half Circle Skirt
To cut and sew your fabric for a half circle skirt, you need to choose a suitable fabric. You can use any woven or knit fabric that has a good drape, such as cotton, linen, rayon, jersey, or chiffon. You will need about 2 yards of fabric, depending on your measurements and the width of your fabric. Here are the steps to cut and sew your fabric for a half circle skirt:
Fold your fabric in half, right sides together, and place your pattern on top of it, aligning the straight edge of the pattern with the fold of the fabric. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut around it, leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance. You will have two identical pieces of fabric.
Sewing TIP: Hang the garment up for at least 24 hours. This gives your fabric a chance to relax and stretch. The bias grain will stretch out overnight and all the irregularities will come out, which you can easily cut out and even out the bottom of the skirt.
Next, sew the two pieces of fabric together along the straight edge, right sides together, using a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch. Press the seam open and finish the raw edges with a serger, a zigzag stitch, or a pinking shears. You have your half circle skirt.
How to Add Pockets and Zipper to a Half Circle Skirt
To add pockets and zipper to a half circle skirt, you need to measure and cut two pocket pieces from the same fabric or a contrasting fabric. The pocket pieces should be about 6 inches wide and 8 inches long, or as big as you want your pockets to be. You also need a zipper that is about 9 inches long, or as long as the unsewn part of your back seam. You can use an invisible zipper or a regular zipper, depending on your preference. Here are the steps to add pockets and zipper to a half circle skirt:
- Mark the position of your pockets on the side seams of your skirt. You can use pins, chalk, or a fabric marker to mark where you want your pockets to be. Make sure the marks are aligned on both sides of the skirt and are about 2 inches below the waistline.
- Cut two small slits on each side of the skirt, along the side seams, where you marked the pocket position. The slits should be about 1/4 inch long and parallel to the waistline. Be careful not to cut through the seam allowance or the fabric on the other side.
- Pin one pocket piece to one side of the skirt, right sides together, aligning the top edge of the pocket with the slit. Sew the pocket to the skirt, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Repeat with the other pocket piece and the other side of the skirt.
- Press the pocket pieces away from the skirt and finish the raw edges with a serger, a zigzag stitch, or a pinking shears.
- Pin the front and back of the skirt together along the side seams, right sides together, enclosing the pocket pieces. Sew the side seams, using a 5/8 inch seam allowance, and pivoting at the pocket edges. Press the seams open and finish the raw edges.
- Next, install a zipper on the back seam of your skirt, leaving about 2 inches of the seam unsewn at the top. You can use an invisible zipper or a regular zipper, depending on your preference. Follow the instructions on the zipper package or use [this tutorial] for an invisible zipper or [this tutorial] for a regular zipper.
- To add a waistband to your half circle skirt, you need to measure and cut a waistband piece from the same fabric or a contrasting fabric. The waistband piece should be as long as your waist measurement plus 1 inch for seam allowance, and as wide as you want your waistband to be times two plus 1 inch for seam allowance. For example, if you want a 2 inch wide waistband, your waistband piece should be 5 inches wide.
- Next, fold the waistband piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the short ends together, creating a loop. Press the seam open and finish the raw edges. Then, fold the waistband piece in half widthwise, wrong sides together, and press the fold.
- Next, pin the waistband to the skirt, right sides together, aligning the raw edges and the seams. Sew the waistband to the skirt, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Fold the waistband up and press the seam.
- Then, fold the other raw edge of the waistband under 1/2 inch and press. Next, stitch in the ditch along the seam, catching the folded edge of the waistband on the inside. Alternatively, you can hand sew the folded edge of the waistband to the inside of the skirt, using a slip stitch or a whip stitch.
How to Hem Your Half Circle Skirt
To hem your half circle skirt, you need to decide how long you want your skirt to be. You can try on your skirt and mark the desired length with pins, chalk, or a fabric
To hem your half circle skirt, you need to decide how long you want your skirt to be. You can try on your skirt and mark the desired length with pins, chalk, or a fabric marker. You can also use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure the length from your waist to your hem. You can make your skirt as long or as short as you like, depending on your preference and the occasion.
Next, cut off the excess fabric from the hem, leaving a 1 inch hem allowance. Be careful not to cut too much, as you can always shorten your skirt later, but you can’t make it longer. You can use scissors, a rotary cutter, or a serger to cut the fabric.
Next, fold the hem allowance under 1/2 inch and press. Then, fold it under another 1/2 inch and press again. This will create a double fold hem that hides the raw edges of the fabric. Pin the hem in place and sew along the inner edge of the fold, using a straight stitch or a blind hem stitch. You can also use a rolled hem foot or a narrow hem foot to create a narrow hem, if you prefer.
Press the hem and remove any pins or marks. You have finished your half circle skirt with pockets and zipper.
Check out my detailed step by step post on how to hem skirts.
How to Sew a Skater Dress | Video Tutorial
Now that you have learned how to sew half circle and skater skirts, you can easily make a skater dress. This video tutorial will show you how to sew your dream skater dress in a simple way. It is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to sew.
How to Sew a Skater Dress (Video Tutorial)
How to Make a Side Split Skirt from a Half Circle Skirt Pattern
A side split skirt is a chic and sexy skirt that has a slit on one or both sides of the hem. It adds some flair and movement to your outfit, and it can also help you stay cool in warm weather.
To make a side split skirt from a half circle skirt pattern, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose a half circle skirt pattern that fits your waist measurement and your desired length. You can use the pattern that I showed you in my previous post on how to make a half circle skirt, or you can download and print a free pattern in 8 sizes from this link.
- Decide where you want the slit to be on your skirt. You can have it on the front, the back, or the side of your skirt, depending on your preference. You can also have one or two slits, depending on how daring you want to be. 😉
- Mark the position of the slit on your pattern with a pencil or a fabric marker. For example, if you want the slit to be 7 cm from the edge of your skirt, mark the point 7 cm from the edge of the hemline on your pattern. Then draw a line from that point to the waistline of your pattern. This is the line where you will cut your fabric later.
- Cut out your pattern along the outer circle and the slit line, leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance. You will have two identical pieces of fabric for the front and back of your skirt.
- Sew the two pieces of fabric together along the straight edge, right sides together, using a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch. Press the seam open and finish the raw edges with a serger, a zigzag stitch, or a pinking shears. You have your half circle skirt with a slit.
- Hem the slit by folding the fabric under 1/4 inch and pressing. Then fold it under another 1/4 inch and press again. Pin the hem in place and sew along the inner edge of the fold, using a straight stitch or a blind hem stitch. Repeat with the other side of the slit.
- Hem the rest of the skirt by following the same steps as above, or by using a rolled hem foot or a narrow hem foot to create a narrow hem.
- Add a waistband and a zipper to your skirt by following the steps that I showed you in my previous post on how to make a half circle skirt. You have finished your side split skirt.
How to Make a Wrap Skirt from a Half Circle Skirt Pattern
A wrap skirt is a versatile and flattering skirt that wraps around your waist and ties with a bow or a knot. It can adjust to your body shape and size, and it can also create a nice silhouette and a waistline. 😍
To make a wrap skirt from a half circle skirt pattern, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose a half circle skirt pattern that fits your waist measurement and your desired length. You can use the same pattern as before, or you can download and print a free pattern in 8 sizes from this link.
- Cut out the front piece of your skirt from your fabric, following the pattern and leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance. You only need one piece for the front of your skirt, as it will wrap around your waist.
- Cut out the back piece of your skirt from your fabric, following the pattern and leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance. However, reduce the width of the back piece by 5 cm on each side, as you don’t need as much fabric for the back of your skirt. You can do this by folding the pattern 5 cm inward on each side and cutting along the fold.
- Sew the front and back pieces of your skirt together along the side seams, right sides together, using a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch. Press the seams open and finish the raw edges with a serger, a zigzag stitch, or a pinking shears. You have your wrap skirt.
- Hem the skirt by following the same steps as before, or by using a rolled hem foot or a narrow hem foot to create a narrow hem.
- Cut two long strips of fabric for the ties of your skirt. The strips should be about 4 inches wide and 40 inches long, or as long or as short as you want your ties to be. You can use the same fabric as your skirt, or a contrasting fabric for some variety.
- Fold each strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the long edge and one short edge, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the strip right side out and press. Repeat with the other strip. You have your ties.
- Attach one tie to the front edge of your skirt, right sides together, aligning the raw edges and the seam. Sew the tie to the skirt, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Fold the tie up and press the seam. Repeat with the other tie and the other front edge of your skirt.
Wrap the skirt around your waist and tie the ties in a bow or a knot. You have finished your wrap skirt.
More Tips ,Tricks and Hacks
For more hacks , tips , tricks check out my ealier post on sewing circle skirt. I explain there how to add different fastenings , how to do pattern grading to adjust waistline , how to lengthen a skirt pattern, how to size up a skirt pattern or change a skirt into an elastic waist or gathered skirt and much more.
Congratulations! You have learned how to make a half circle skirt with pockets and zipper, a simple and flattering skirt that is perfect for any occasion. You have also learned how to measure yourself, draft a custom pattern, cut and sew your fabric, and add a waistband and a zipper. You have also downloaded and printed a free pattern in 8 sizes that you can use for future projects. 😊
How to Sew a Circle Skirt ?
You may also be interested in my post on how to sew a circle skirt, where I share a detailed tutorial, some useful hacks and tips, and a free pdf pattern in 8 sizes.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who love sewing. You can also leave a comment below and let me know how your skirt turned out. I would love to see your creations and hear your feedback. 😊
Thank you for reading and happy sewing!
Why do you divide waist measurement (the circumference) by 3 to get the waist radius? Circumference is 2πr, so you should divide by 2π (~6.28) to get r (radius), correct? You used 6.28 in the Quarter Circle Skirt tutorial, so I am confused why you used 3 for this Half Circle Skirt tutorial.
Also, this tutorial says that placing the pattern on a folded piece of fabric will give 2 identical pieces of fabric…but it also says to align the pattern up to the fold. This will just make one single large piece when it unfolds, with only one seam.
You talk about both side seams and a back seam, but the fabric described here would only have one seam, unless there is something missing from the instructions.
Thank you for all your amazing patterns!
Hey 😊, the post has already been corrected 😁( I write posts after work and sometimes I’m really tired and make mistakes, thank you for your feedback!), as for the pattern, I usually try to compress the patterns so that they are easier to print and in this case we use the pattern in this way: we cut out the back on the fold and the front on the fold separately, if you draw the pattern yourself, you can cut it out from one piece. Keeping my fingers crossed for your project! 🤗💖💖