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Published: 2008-07-03 03:00:20 +0000 UTC; Views: 255986; Favourites: 3665; Downloads: 0
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Description
Well, I have this huge list of tutorials I want to make, and this was the first one a whim took me to strike off my list.Yes, it is wordy.
Yes, it requires you to do math.
Fair warning. (sorry, I be angsty about some people sometimes)
This is for making a skirt out of a full circle (or just about). These skirts are wonderful - they're very easy to do once you're used to them, and they're fast and very fun to wear. If you do it where you make it longer, they're so much fun to twirl around in.
Within this tutorial is how to sew it together, how to figure out the inner circle (this was my bit o' math voodoo in school), the length, and most importantly, yardage estimates.
I hope I covered just about everything you could need to know - I'll hopefully have a supplement to this in a few days about how to take this, and use it to create pleated skirts for those of us who can't wear traditional one's - our hips are too large! Circles make a wonderful way of doing that, combining the fullness you usually want in a skirt with the pleated look that most uniforms require.
Other useful tutorials that work well with this:
All images at the bottom are my own. Please do not redistribute, edit, or re-word my tutorials for any other purposes without my express written permission.
(c) 2008 `taeliac / Taeliac Studio / Samantha Lemieux -
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Comments: 385
peeps4tea In reply to ??? [2010-12-08 05:11:27 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for sharing this tutorial with us!
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wezenbeesje In reply to ??? [2010-11-21 15:37:34 +0000 UTC]
What is hemming? English is not my mother tongue.
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PuddlesOfBlood In reply to wezenbeesje [2010-11-27 20:23:42 +0000 UTC]
Hemming is when you fold up the edge of a piece of fabric and sew it so that the edges do not unravel.
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wezenbeesje In reply to PuddlesOfBlood [2010-11-27 22:39:33 +0000 UTC]
Oh, that! Thanks.
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AyameFeitom In reply to ??? [2010-08-20 19:52:04 +0000 UTC]
Wow this is really handy to know. Thanks a lot.
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girl-kitty In reply to ??? [2010-08-04 12:07:02 +0000 UTC]
I need to make an open fronted skirt... how would I do that? (Note: it's for a Gardevior costume... if that helps you get the idea of what i mean)
I was thinking of using this tutorial and just removing part of the skirt lol
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AznAnimeChick In reply to girl-kitty [2010-10-29 20:15:20 +0000 UTC]
I would just follow the tutorial until you make a complete circle and fold it til you get 1/4th of the measurement... then cut that one patch of the front out, making sure it narrows to the top so you still have a waist band. This leaves about 3/4ths of the skirt left. Then just hem up those sides and finish tacking it up so you can fit in your waistband.
Sorry if that doesn't make any sense. I kinda just threw all of that together by looking at Gardevior
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mxgirl199 In reply to ??? [2010-07-18 00:25:49 +0000 UTC]
Ooh! I might try making this. It looks really easy!
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horsegirl2000148 In reply to ??? [2010-07-16 17:09:38 +0000 UTC]
I'm just curious, would I be able to modify this "pattern" to get this sort of effect: [link] ?
One side of the dress (or shirt) is shorter than the other, but I still want the "ruffly" look. Could I just make an oval?
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AznAnimeChick In reply to ??? [2010-07-03 05:04:26 +0000 UTC]
Hey~ this is an awesome tutorial. I've been doing all the calculations and making paper replicas and its been going pretty well so far. I have only run into one problem so far... the waist band. I cut out a paper piece and its wayyyy too small. Are you sure its the X measurement plus 2"? Or is it the Fullest Measurement or the WAIST?
Sorry to bother... I'm just so confuzzled at the moment.
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Goescrunch [2010-06-27 10:34:25 +0000 UTC]
I love your stuff. ^_^ I really need to break out the sewing machine & make some nice skirts to wear this summer.
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MixiAikome [2010-06-05 23:29:01 +0000 UTC]
This looks incredibly useful~! Thanks so much for sharing it
even though I'm pretty anti-math, I'm definately going to use this.
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Yaviiniia [2010-05-26 00:11:30 +0000 UTC]
This is great! I'm not the best person for math, but I think I get it.
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garfield10125 In reply to ??? [2010-05-23 09:50:16 +0000 UTC]
omg, thanks SO much, this will be loads of help for the cosplays my friends and I are doing over the summer. i'm in charge of sewing. :3
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TheHauteDame In reply to ??? [2010-05-08 20:02:12 +0000 UTC]
LOVE this pattern. I do a lot of renaissance, steampunk, and 1950's style clothing, so this circle skirt pattern is awesome! I usually use patterns for circle skirts, but this is sooooo much better, especially now that I can adjust the length I just finished a blue and white polka dot skirt *with petticoat underneath* to wear to my vampire LARP tonight, I play a character who was turned in the 1950's. I cant wait to show this off
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xTheWeirdGirlX [2010-05-03 21:52:50 +0000 UTC]
Well that's a shame, I'm discalcular T-T
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BloodyKisses56 [2010-04-16 08:42:11 +0000 UTC]
I've been wanting to make one and couldn't find a god tutorial thank you.
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taeliac In reply to BloodyKisses56 [2010-04-16 22:47:15 +0000 UTC]
I'm happy to be of help!! They're definitely fun to make
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dahReinged [2010-04-15 05:11:17 +0000 UTC]
I already knew how to make one, but I had NO IDEA how to figure out how much fabric I needed! I'm glad I found this -- I'd be lost without it. For a twist, I cut a full circle skirt out and stiched it to an A-line skirt at the hem and added a waistband to make a bubble skirt. It turned out great!
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taeliac In reply to dahReinged [2010-04-16 22:48:24 +0000 UTC]
Well, I'm definitely happy to have helped on that front, at least
And, that is an utterly ingenious idea on how to do a bubble skirt!!! Ever one I've done has been a challenge to figure out how to get each gore to line up correctly - I never thought of just doing it like that
Thank you thank you!
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NotaSouthernGirl [2010-04-11 17:30:47 +0000 UTC]
I sew from patterns a lot (that was how I was taught) but I always felt I was doing myself a disservice when each time I pinned insanely recognizable shaped βonionβ sheets down. But the one really big wonder was βjust how much fabric DOES a circle skirt take and what math do I use for that stinking center/waist circleβ. Even more sad is that I just recently had an algebra class β radius and diameter formulas β so I feel dumb now that I didnβt put two and two together to equal skirt.
BUT ... I read your tutorial and then decided to make the paper template (good advice is great time saver) and as I looked down at the draft on my floor (small living = no sewing table for me) I said βDANG... That is a LOT of fabric (I am not a small gal)β Rolled it up (decided I need a postal tube to keep it safe as well) and have pulled fabric in standby.
I believe that I will be making one soon.
Thanks for being concise, clear, and savvy with your instructions. I am grateful and squee happy.
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taeliac In reply to NotaSouthernGirl [2010-05-05 00:20:35 +0000 UTC]
Hehe, no problems at all with that, though - the math is tricky for everyone! I became the "hey, I need a circle made" person in college with my fellow class-mates, because I got so used to doing things like that
So, it's not nearly as uncommon as you think - don't do yourself a disservice about it!
They do take *a ton* of fabric, but they're too much fun not to just splurge every now and again to do something fun for yourself! I do want to write a tutorial sometime on how to do a simple a-line skirt, but if you'd like to cut down the amount of fabric that a circle skirt would take, lemme know and I'll walk you through how to take that paper pattern and butcher it up to make a gored a-line skirt
I'm always happy just to have helped, even a bit - drafting your own patterns takes a lot of practice, and it's not really an easy thing to learn if you're not shown (like, in real life) how to do most things, but I honestly think nothing feels better than doing it start to finish for yourself
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bahamallama In reply to ??? [2010-03-27 03:10:51 +0000 UTC]
This is just what i needed! We're have a 50's day at my school and i was planning on making my own costume! Thanks so much!
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taeliac In reply to bahamallama [2010-04-02 17:33:26 +0000 UTC]
I'm definitely happy to be of help, then, because this is totally the 50's (you could easily make it out of felt and do the poodle skirt thing, too
)
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Weasley-Achemist93 In reply to ??? [2010-03-21 14:11:20 +0000 UTC]
Wonderfull tutorial, just what i was looking for! It's very helpfull for my cosplay, thank you so much! *instant fave*
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taeliac In reply to Weasley-Achemist93 [2010-03-21 17:01:53 +0000 UTC]
Hooray! I"m very happy to hear it - I use these all the time with cosplay outfits, because they're easy, cute, and don't weight a ton like using just a long gathered piece of fabric can
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Weasley-Achemist93 In reply to taeliac [2010-03-21 17:34:41 +0000 UTC]
Ooh that's really nice! I can't wait to begin with making my cosplay! It's very usefull!
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randomlyyellstuff [2010-02-19 22:01:06 +0000 UTC]
This tutorial looks like it should be very helpful! I'm currently planning a CCS cosplay ( [link] ) and have been absolutely terrified, but I think this will help!
I do have a question though, with the CCS costume, will the skirt get all ruffly like that because of the petticoat? I figured that I'd need two skirts for each layer with the petticoat underneath, would that be right? -sorry, I've only ever made shirts before!-
Oh, also, what sort of waist would you think would be best if it's being attached to the top? That was the only thing that confused me a little!
Thanks again for your amazing tutorial! It's math time now!
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taeliac In reply to randomlyyellstuff [2010-03-21 17:06:37 +0000 UTC]
That is awesome - that is the outfit I was just thinking about making for my niece! This method is perfect for CCS outfits
I do believe you would need to have the petticoat underneath, and that will at least help it stick out like that. However, I think you may want to consider using more than one circle per layer - it'll be a little more expensive in fabric, but a lot more dramatic (I have a quick supplement on how to put more than one together in the links on this one).
If you wanna get a bit more of an effect out of the very edge, so it looks more... ermm... wavy is the only word I can think of (along the very edge of the skirt, not the scallops, but how it kinda has some gravity-defying-ness to it) you may want to try adding something like lace to the ends - it'll give it a bit more body, and may keep it's shape a bit better ((I hope that makes sense! If it's too much/confusing, dun mind me, I just kind of ramble in type a lot!))
For the waist, I think you're best bet is to find a pattern you like for the top of the outfit, make that, (check that it fits) and then measure around the bottom of that to do the circle off of. Don't add any of the "ease" measurements (+1", +2", stuff like that) because you'll want it to fit just about exactly (you should still round and all that good stuff, and you may wind up having to nip it in a bit to fudge it, because of the whole seam allowance thing and whatnot, but it should fit almost perfectly )
Okay! I hope that that rambling isn't too much for you - I'm sorry for the huge essay, but I hope it helped!!
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randomlyyellstuff In reply to taeliac [2010-04-08 12:42:34 +0000 UTC]
Great to know! I've been working on a pink petticoat so I think it'll help. After commenting the last time I did some figuring out and bought more that enough fabric for 1 and 1/2 per skirt, so that should be okay.
That was exactly what I was planning to do for the top... awesome! I already have a pattern ready to go, so now that you've confirmed that in my head I feel a lot more confident! Thank you so much!
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iKit5 In reply to ??? [2010-02-14 21:54:32 +0000 UTC]
This tutorial looks like it will help a lot! <3 Thanks! I want to get started right away~! (And the math shall be no problem for this math whiz)
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taeliac In reply to iKit5 [2010-02-15 18:21:07 +0000 UTC]
I'm very happy to hear it! I just hope my stuff is clear enough to follow
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VictoriaDowd [2010-02-04 03:20:27 +0000 UTC]
Do you have any more information on the cloak design? I am trying to cosplay a Team Magma member, and they wear a little cloak like that but shorter. I'm just trying to think of the best way to go about making it and I immediately though of making a smaller circle skirt.
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taeliac In reply to VictoriaDowd [2010-02-11 19:06:13 +0000 UTC]
Yep! You definitely can do a smaller circle skirt for the cloak - just make the opening either wide enough to fit over your head, or make it fit around your neck and put a slit in the front to get it on
Full-length cloaks can be a little trickier (and take a ton of fabric!) but if you make them more of an oval shape than a circle, it's not too bad
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VictoriaDowd In reply to taeliac [2010-02-13 06:28:43 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for the advice ^_^
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fifi-orchid In reply to ??? [2009-12-07 20:49:22 +0000 UTC]
Have I said before how much I love you?
These tutorials are AMAZING! they're really simple to follow!
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taeliac In reply to theelfhybrid [2009-10-28 21:28:33 +0000 UTC]
I'm happy to hear it!
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Reb320 [2009-10-26 17:51:57 +0000 UTC]
...so I tried this, right? And I messed up somehow...
I measured the length of my skirt to be 20". I drew a line for 20" on my fabric, traced my half circle, then drew another 20.
But then I became confused.
Are the points drawn for the circle from the edge of the fabric of from the line of where the skirt would be?
...Anyway, I cut it out and the edges that I measured to be 20" became 15 for some reason! And the center of my skirt became 20", when before I cut and measured, 20" would go off of the fabric...
I'm very confused...
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taeliac In reply to Reb320 [2009-10-27 01:36:06 +0000 UTC]
I honestly don't know how to explain it any better than I had in the tutorial... maybe try it again, but at a small scale (almost like for a barbie doll) until you figure out where you're getting mixed up or whatnot ^^
I'm sorry to say it, but I haven't a clue what you were trying to do, and I tried to be as clear as I could in the tutorial~
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Reb320 In reply to taeliac [2009-10-27 02:07:11 +0000 UTC]
It's okay~ I tired it again this afternoon and came out with two lovely skirts! (that I'm layering, so it's okay that one is shorter.)
I'm going to do the elastic waist band type skirt and I did notice that the skirts are very large at the moment. (Since I've yet to do any sowing work yet.) Is that normal?
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Obi-quiet [2009-10-19 15:56:05 +0000 UTC]
...two and a half full circles on the one...how on EARTH can you hem that much without throwing your sewing machine out the window? *twitch*
On the bright side, my outfit turned out really well thanks to you.
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taeliac In reply to Obi-quiet [2009-10-21 01:33:20 +0000 UTC]
I've gotten so used to doing crazy things like that lately
Usually, I use bias tape to face the hem, and then just blind hem that down ~ it keeps it from curling quite as bad as just turning it up can do, but it's a lot more work... a good day and a half of nothing but hemming
It will drive you bonkers, for sure!
I'm so happy to hear that your outfit turned out great, though!! If you upload pictures of it, I'd love to see~!
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Obi-quiet In reply to taeliac [2009-11-01 07:37:06 +0000 UTC]
I'm hoping to get some up either tonight or tomorrow.
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Stormwatcher09 In reply to ??? [2009-10-12 08:57:28 +0000 UTC]
I'm not completely clear on the waistband. If I'm only making it as long as my X (7in), +2in, that makes it 9". It doesn't say to cut it on the fold or anything, so my whole waistband is 9", even though the circumference of my waist is 44"? I think I'm missing something, can you clear it up?
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taeliac In reply to Stormwatcher09 [2009-10-12 18:13:57 +0000 UTC]
Hrm... it made sense when I was writing it, but it should just be your waist (with that bit of ease) plus a bit.... so in your case, it would be 44" + a bit ^^
Sorry about that! I'll see if I can clear it up when I get a chance
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Stormwatcher09 In reply to taeliac [2009-10-12 20:32:16 +0000 UTC]
That makes more sense, thanks!
Pictures when I'm done. Might be a while though.
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Shin53124 [2009-10-08 19:40:24 +0000 UTC]
You have saved my Halloween dreams! Thank you so much. Um...do you have anything on a kimono style top? I'm drowning on that one. T.T
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