Sewing
Circle Skirt Calculator
Turn your waist measurement and skirt length into the waist and hem cutting radii for a full, three-quarter, half, or quarter circle skirt, plus fabric needed.
- Updates as you type
- Inches or centimetres
- Copy or print your results
Calculator
Your cutting radii
Enter your measurements above
JavaScript required for calculations
Proportional cutting guidance from your measurements, not a printable or tested pattern. Fabric estimates assume 1" of selvage is trimmed from the width.
How much fabric do I need for a circle skirt with a 28" waist?
For a full circle skirt with a 28" waist, 22" finished length, 5/8" waist seam allowance, and 1" hem on 60" fabric:
You enter
- Waist
- 28" (71.1 cm)
- Finished length
- 22" (55.9 cm)
- Seam / hem allowance
- 5/8" / 1" (1.6 cm / 2.5 cm)
- Fabric width
- 60" (152 cm)
You get
- Waist stitching radius
- 4-1/2" (11.3 cm)
- Waist cutting radius
- 3-7/8" (9.7 cm)
- Outer cutting radius
- 27-1/2" (69.8 cm)
- Fabric to buy
- 1-5/8 yd (double fold) (1.4 m)
The formula: waist radius = waist ÷ (2π × fullness); cutting radius = waist radius − seam allowance; outer radius = waist radius + length + hem.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the waist radius for a circle skirt?
Divide your waist measurement by 2π (about 6.28) for a full circle — a 28" waist gives a 4-1/2" stitching radius. For a half circle divide by π, for a quarter circle by π ÷ 2. Then cut the waist line one seam allowance closer to the centre so it stitches back out to your waist.
How much fabric do I need for a circle skirt?
It depends on the hem radius (waist radius + length + hem) and the fabric width. If the hem radius fits within half the usable width, fold the fabric in quarters and you need about two hem radii of length; otherwise you need about four. A 22" skirt on a 28" waist takes 1-5/8 yd of 60" fabric but 3-1/8 yd of 44" fabric.
How do I make an elastic-waist circle skirt?
A pull-on skirt has to stretch over your hips, so the fabric waist is cut from the larger of your waist and hip measurements plus about 2" of ease, then gathered onto elastic cut to your waist. Tick Elastic waist and the calculator asks for your hip measurement and uses it.
What if my skirt is too long for the fabric width?
When the hem radius is wider than the fabric, each quarter circle has to be pieced from two or more panels joined with seams. The calculator labels that yardage an estimate — a half or three-quarter circle, or wider fabric, can avoid the extra seams.
Is this a sewing pattern?
No — it's proportional cutting guidance from your measurements. Draft the circle with a tape measure pinned at the centre point, and try a muslin or a tested pattern if fit matters, especially for a fitted (non-elastic) waist with a zipper.
Related tools
Which sewing machine should I use for this project?
Three picks from starter to step-up, sold in Canada and the US. Want a match for your budget? Take the machine picker.
The starter
Baby Lock Zest 15S
CA$299 · US$209
15 built-in stitches · Mechanical · 4-step buttonhole
See it at your shop →
The easy threader
Baby Lock Zeal
CA$499 · US$409
25 built-in stitches · Mechanical · Built-in needle threader
See it at your shop →
The all-rounder
Baby Lock Jubilant
CA$899 · US$699
80 built-in stitches · Computerized · 1-step buttonhole
See it at your shop →
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