Welcome to another free sewing tutorial that is also beginner sewer friendly. A half circle skirt is the perfect mix of flare without having to buy an obscene amount of fabric and an elastic waistband makes it somewhat adjustable too! Of course there is no way I wouldn’t add pockets which are sadly not considered a women’s clothing essential working detail by many clothing brands. But, at the end of the day, that’s a big reason why we sew: so we can make our dreams come true because you can’t just rely on a big corporation to listen to basic common sense.
Since the cut of the skirt is so simple I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use this gorgeous patterned fabric with little yellow flowers and green swirly vines on a black backdrop. Here is a close-up so you can truly appreciate those finer details!
Good luck, have fun, ask any questions you may have in the comment section and share pictures of the final project!
Materials required:
- A piece of chalk or a water soluble marker
- A grading ruler and/or measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- approximately 2m (2.2 yds) of fabric
- matching thread
- 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide elastic
- fusible interfacing
- 2 safety pins
How to cut out the fabric pieces for the half circle skirt
Step 1
Measure the widest part of your hips, mine is 86cm, then add an extra 4cm for the seam allowance so the total is 92cm/36.2 inches. Since we are cutting a half circle skirt the formula for the radius of the circle is 92 divided by 3.14, which is equal to about 29 cm/11.4 inches (I round the radius to the nearest whole number just to make my life easier when measuring/cutting fabric).
Step 2
The length of the skirt will depend on your height and how long you want your skirt to be so I chose 79cm/31.1 inches (I added a bit extra just to be on the safe side and for the hem). Use the diagram below to cut out the skirt piece, then, assuming you want pockets on both sides, cut the skirt piece in half along the fold line.
Step 3
Cut out the 4 pocket pieces. Just make sure they are wide enough for your hand and phone (my pockets are 14cm/5.5 inches wide including the seam allowance). Use the image below as a guide for shaping your pockets.
Step 4
Lastly, the waistband should be the waist of the skirt pieces minus 2cm/0.8 inch seam allowance, so my waistband is 90cm (35.4 inches) long. I make the width of the waistband double the width of the elastic I am using plus 2.5 cm for seam and hem allowance. So 2,5 multiplied by 2 is 5, plus 2 is 7. I also cut a piece of fusible interfacing that’s the same dimensions as the waistband and ironed them together.
How to sew the half circle midi skirt
Step 1
Sew each pocket to the side of the skirt 10cm/4 inches down from the waist right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance. Finish off the edges with a zig zag stitch or overlock if you are lucky enough to have an overlocker.
Use an iron to press the pockets so that they face outwards, as shown in the image below.
Step 2
Sew the front and back of the skirt pieces right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch SA. You can make side slits by not sewing the full seam and leaving 25cm/9.8 inches or so from the hem. Overlock the edges or use a zig zag stitch.
Step 3
Fold over the side slit pieces 0.5cm/0.2 inch and sew.
Then fold over 0.5cm/0.2 inch and sew again.
Step 4
Hem the bottom of the skirt using the same method as Step 3.
How to sew the elasticated waistband
Step 1
Measure your elastic and make sure that it is a snug fit around your waist (or wherever you want the skirt to sit) but can still stretch over your hips when sewn into a loop.
Step 2
Sew the waistband strip of fabric right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance to form a loop.
Step 3
Sew the waistband to the waist of the skirt right sides together with 1cm/0.4 inch seam allowance.
Step 4
Cut the ribbon in half and sew each half in a loop to the waistband seam at the side seams of the skirt, using the image below as a guide. When you sew the waistband shut be careful not to sew this ribbon inside.
Step 5
In my tutorial for DIY patchwork pants I used the same method for the waistband that I did for this half circle midi skirt. You can find the tutorial here.
More Free Sewing Tutorials
I have also made a simple mini slip dress in the same fabric as this skirt. And yes I will certainly wear the slip dress as a top with this skirt.
If you are looking for another fairycore skirt here is my tiered maxi skirt pattern that also has an elastic waistband and pockets. Otherwise, if you are looking for something a bit different there’s another one of my free sewing patterns, a maxi dress with French seams, pockets, as well as elasticated straps and a waistband. So far I have one tutorial for a more formal fairycore dress which is the red satin slip dress with organza ruffles (and pockets of course!).
And if skirts or dresses are too feminine for you, there’s always these simple shorts with pockets, or my patchwork pants tutorial, and the free pattern for summery trousers with ribbon side ties!
A sewing project that’s quick and easy but also fits the whimsical fairycore vibe is scrunchies. And I have tutorials for 2 variations: a simple scrunchie and a ruffle scrunchie.
DIY not AI
If you are sick and tired of being bamboozled by those too perfect AI images and want some inspiration from actual human beings, my Pinterest board, DIY NOT AI, awaits. This is the link, AKA magical portal, that will take you there. DIY NOT AI is also a group board that is OPEN TO CONTRIBUTORS!!! Whether you’re a crocheter, seamstress, knitter, or any other kind of DIY/handicraft creator this is The Place for you to promote your work to people who appreciate REAL quality over quantity. So what are you waiting for? Shoot me a dm on Pinterest to be added!
And that’s all for today folks! If you have any questions please comment below and I, or perhaps a kind internet stranger, will assist you.
Lots of love & light,
Maria