How to sew a half circle skirt (4 panels) | step by step, beginner-friendly | draft your own pattern

[@bee7549]

I am assuming that I could use the same principles to make a full circle paneled skirt?

[@gwenheng]

Yes, so to make a 4-panel *full* circle skirt, you need the arc going across the *entire* square instead of only half of the square at 5:59

[@bee7549]

@@gwenheng Thank you so much 🌺

[@sandyaperera3582]

Thank you!

[@Mspuddin67]

​@@gwenhengCan you make a video using this method for a plus size person?

[@gloriadiaz-britz3599]

Thank you so much for making this tutorial. I am plus sized, and knew I was going to need to use panels to make my pattern fit my fabric. Most tutorials kind of assume you will be cutting either one or two pieces, which doesn't work for larger sized people. I can finally use my super cute koi fish fabric!

[@gwenheng]

Gloria, thank you for leaving this comment and sharing your experience! As a straight-sized person, I don't necessarily know what other sewists of different sizes go through. This is an excellent point that I never thought of and wouldn't have learnt if not for your comment. x

[@bee7549]

I have the same problem, and most online tutorials ignore this dilemma.

[@unacceptablesisterpeter3431]

Me too and I end up with a lot of waste fabric. Which I hate.

[@RohansDaughter]

I am so excited to sew myself some wool or flannel skirts for winter, this tutorial was very clear and the pacing was nice and slow so I could follow along. Thanks so much!

[@Loveprevails]

Yay been looking for a basic simple something to start with and that is the one!!

[@rebeccabuck8716]

Thank you so much for providing a Great step by step tutorial. I’ve avoided learning ( I’m 63) to draft a pattern but, after watching your video I’m going to give it a try. Also, I love how you show how to deal with a part that didn’t go to plan 👏🎉👏🎉👏🎉

[@nixpoison]

Hi Gwen! I followed your tutorial and I was able to sew my very first skirt !! Thank you :) I even added pockets! Now I'll sew the detachable bib! Again, thank you for sharing this amazing tutorial. 💖

[@gwenheng]

OMG with pockets!!! You're amazing, Cassia!! So happy to hear that you enjoyed the tutorial. Getting comments like yours always make my day xx 🥰

[@sandracomeau3082]

Omgosh! Thank you. I am 67, know how to sew, but have never been successful sewing my own cloths (weird body shape - I call it a “tube” ha). I’ve been wanting to try the circle skirt as I think it will fit my body style and make it appear that I actually have a waist, butt and hips. Hurray! Your video/lesson is so great AND visual that I was finally successful at making a skirt that fit and is flattering. Now on to making more! I appreciate you.

[@gwenheng]

Ahh I appreciate you too!! This comment made my day. Thank you for being so kind and I hope you’ll love the skirt you made 💖

[@roxanzabate8983]

Another benefit is its more flattering to women with large midsection. Its the perfect flare skirt.

[@michelleohmer231]

Thank you!! very clear instructions!

[@dreams4tears]

This is such a great simplified circle skirt tutorial. I was so afraid of trying it! I’m not now. Though I must confess I doubt I’ll do anything by hand. Excited to see the next pieces of your capsule wardrobe!

[@gwenheng]

Yay! I’m so happy to hear this! Hehe machine sewing is just as good! It’s just sometimes I like a certain “vintage inspired” finish for my garments hehe ☺️

[@iyaboose]

Wow, what a detailed and simplified video illustration. Well done and hands up. Thanks a billion ma’am

[@gwenheng]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bee7549]

You are an amazing and inspiring teacher. Thank you so much for this fantastic tutorial 🌸 Your skirt looks beautiful. I am plus sized with a bulge at my abdomen due to a surgery and this seems to be the best pattern for a more flattering look.

[@melindapates1611]

hello, I enjoyed watching this video tutorial. computations are elaborated and easy to comprehend. the way you speak is clear.

[@baileysymington5753]

THANK YOU!!!!!!! You are very good at explaining!!!

[@whiteleopard96]

this is the best tutorial I have ever seen for making skirt . You are a great teacher . Please make more of those . Thank you

[@gwenheng]

Thank you so much! 💖 I have lots of sewing tutorials on my channel now. Are you more interested in the drafting or sewing or both? 🤓

[@whiteleopard96]

@@gwenheng Thanks you so much for the reply . Yeah I'm interested in both of them .

[@moominvalleymy897]

Girl, thank you so much. This was exactly what I was looking for. I'm so glad you've put in all that effort to create this tutorial for us.

[@gwenheng]

🥰💖

[@gaby8567]

I’m so happy with this tutorial 😀 I’ve been wanting to learn how to make the pattern for a panelled half circle skirt for so long and now I finally know how to do it. Thank you very much for the well explained tutorial 🥰

[@gwenheng]

Thank you so much Gaby! Your comment means so much to me! I’m glad you’ve found this helpful. ☺️💖

[@regalrose3365]

I just found you, this is exactly what I need, thank you. I would live more vintage tutorials 😊

[@InaTrendyTown]

Thanks for the video! I have a fabric with beautiful stripes and was looking for a pattern like this. I stay in your channel

[@gwenheng]

I am so glad to have you here!! xx

[@ReadingRainbowHair]

This was such a clear and helpful tutorial! I love these skirts and can't wait to start making my own! Thank you!

[@gwenheng]

Yay! I’m so happy to hear this 🥰

[@awildhen]

Loved the video, you have a great energy, and you were very thorough in explaining the different methods and how to apply them. I’m going to draft my own pattern with the square method - that was a brilliant way of doing it! And also the hem measuring on the ironing board: genius!

[@gwenheng]

Thank you!! xx

[@resnethsaksak1420]

Very neath. Love your explanation

[@gwenheng]

Thank you! 😀💗

[@patriciaclarence7441]

Yes i love this skirt thank you fro showing me ❤❤

[@FirstTurnYGO]

I LOVE YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AMAZING AMAZING TUTORIAL!!!

[@gwenheng]

YOU’RE WELCOME!! 🌼💖🥰

[@symoniezclouston6742]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’m new to sewing and want to make a maxi length skirt. Now I know how I can do it with the fabric I have 58”.

[@gwenheng]

Glad it was helpful! xxx

[@Auro88]

Thankyou for such a detailed tutorial, I could finally make my first skirt 💖💖💖 much love from mexico

[@gwenheng]

🥰🥰🥰 thank youuu

[@susanfarrell958]

Thank you for this tutorial.

[@caragarcia2307]

I found some plaid fabric and thought of making a circle or a variation of it. I didn't like a lot of them when I googled because the lines were not to my liking. I guess the solution is to make four panels and follow the lines. I think I'll actually cut a narrow rectangle rather than an arrow. It would be fine for solid but the lines really need to line up. You should be more popular your directions were clear and you showed the process. The only other I found was so busy twirling I couldn't see how she lined up the plaid. I think I have enough fabric to copy the bottom three inches of skirt so I think I'll hem it a different way. Thanks.

[@gwenheng]

Hi Cara, thank you! I'm glad my video helped you in some way! x Good luck with your plaid skirt! 💓

[@mscurlypixie1]

Wow. This was so a great tutorial. I have seem many and I found yours very detailed and understandable. I love it. You are a great teacher. Thanks!💜💜

[@gwenheng]

Aww thank you! You’re so sweet 💖💖💖 Glad you found it helpful x

[@cyndiluuhuu]

Thanks for the tutorial! Do you have a tutorial for your blouse or link to purchase?! It’s awesome looking!

[@gwenheng]

I have a sewalong for it! ➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWLRlpWbarSea5o

[@idanordstrom8643]

Thank you for making such a wonderful video and tutorial!

[@KathBorup]

Such a timeless addition to any wardrobe I've made so many!

[@gwenheng]

Yes!!!! 💖

[@anndostoievski3371]

I've just discovered this channel, and I've loved it. You're clear and funny... New subscriber for you! Greetings from Argentina and happy 2023! :)

[@gwenheng]

Oh yay! This is such a lovely comment! Thank you for making my day 🥰💖

[@avanzero]

Great tutorial, thank you Gwen!

[@gwenheng]

Yay! So happy that you like it. Thank youuuu 🥰🥺

[@tor08131]

Thank you so much for this! Can you tell me how a stretchy fabric would impact the measurements? I am using a velvet fabric that has a decent amount of stretch and donT want it to end up baggy. Just 0 ease?

[@xboxmoments2523]

I enjoyed your tutorial. It was enjoyable to watch. Thankyou. Did you do a tutorial on the chevron pattern? I couldn't find one. If not I would love to see you demonstrate it.😀

[@gwenheng]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. No, I haven't made the tutorial on the chevron version but i might do it if an appropriate fabric comes my way!! x

[@AnneS508]

Beautiful! Thanks! Is there not a problem when you are cutting the panels in different directions? Or was that just depend on the fabric and the nap?

[@gwenheng]

I cut my skirt pieces alternating at 180 degrees to save fabric ☺ It doesn't matter at all for this project since I was just using a plain, solid colour! But yes, if you are using fabric with nap and directional print (e.g., corduory, plaid), then you'll have to be a little more careful in planning out the cutting. ☺

[@sonenimadzamuse8269]

thank you so much very brief n educative

[@np4851]

Hi. How much fabric did you need for this skirt? And what was the width of the fabric? Thanks in advance.

[@gwenheng]

In this video, I used a thrifted bedsheet to make the skirt and had enough left over to make a few other things. Bedsheets are wider than most commercially available fabrics which are 44 - 54" wide. I did some calculations and for the size I made in this video, I would have needed ~4.25 to 4.5 yds for a 44 - 54” wide fabric. And this is to cut the skirt pieces in the direction as shown around 9:48. By the way, cutting it crossgrain (i.e. perpendicular to selvedge) is considered “not proper” by some, hehe. But it’s just the way to make it work. Most patterns recommend cutting skirt pieces along the lengthwise grain, like the first image here: www.threadsmagazine.com/project-guides/learn-to-sew/pattern-layouts If this is not helpful, my other suggestion would be to take your paper pattern piece to a fabric store and plan it out! Sorry this turned out so lengthy! I wanted to give the best response possible. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@np4851]

@@gwenheng Thank you so so much for this detailed reply. I found your website. And there you have mentioned the dimension of the bedsheet. But this conversion for standard fabric widths...this is really nice and kind of you! Many thanks again! I know a professionally trained tailor who now works freelance. I wanted to get this pattern stitched from her. I shared the images from your website for reference. But she wanted to view the video. I will now forward the video to her and also get ready with the fabric! Also your skirt has turned out well and looks great on you! Hope mine turns out good as well! Many success to you in all your endeavours.

[@Ryad-uy3nd]

What a wonderful tutorial!!! Thank you so much! I subbed, you're just awesome!

[@gwenheng]

Aww yay! Thank you and welcome!! 😁

[@mondayswithmayra]

First time I inadvertently see your flog and it’s lovely although I never will ever do any of the stuff you share with your people. I subscribed nevertheless.

[@gwenheng]

@@mondayswithmayra aww thank you! So happy you found my channel ☺️💞

[@AH-ox5sq]

I love this tutorial, is so complete and so useful..! Thank u so much..! ✨

[@dthomascful]

I would love for you to add a bodice to this skirt pattern(to make a full dress :-)

[@Chris-mv1ht]

Your blouse is nice too❤

[@iyaboose]

Pls could you illustrate how to cut an ordinary 180 degree skirt and what relationship does 3.142 have with any waist measurement on how you fold the fabric

[@ruthturner5780]

This is a really helpful tutorial thank you. I'd like to make this skirt in stretch fabric (4 way stretch) how much negative ease would you recommend I remove from the waist?

[@gwenheng]

It would depend on how stretchy your fabric is!!

[@ananas_mli]

So if i would like to make them to pants instead... How would i do that? 🥰

[@joannemcmillan9201]

Good tutorial!

[@gwenheng]

Yay! Thank you! 🥰

[@ohdarah]

Great video Gwennie

[@gwenheng]

Thank you Anis 🌸🌸🌸

[@teresajackson918]

3:50 Is the formula different for a full circle skirt? I really loved the tutorial it's very easy to understand but I would like to do a full circle skirt and I'm not sure how to change it to find r

[@Madiiiiiiiii316]

What type of fabric do you use for this I know you said bed sheet but with fiber is best for skirts like this?

[@justlikekristen5942]

would this work for a half circle skirt that needs a longer fabric width than 60 inches?

[@barukmakta1406]

She dont know you lil bro

[@RaimondsStrelnieks]

Man patīk šādi svārki.

[@gwenheng]

🥰💗

[@evperez3599]

Awesome! Thanks😃

[@gayatrimaharaj]

Hi hi Did you cut the fabric on the bias? Because I swear you didn't and thats soo cool I never knew this was possible.

[@gwenheng]

I talk about grainline at around 08:50! It's not cut on the bias but because of the layout and shape of the pattern piece, the sides of each skirt piece is still on the bias... hope I explained that well enough! 🙂

[@gayatrimaharaj]

@@gwenheng thank you soo much yes the video was clear. I was just second guessing and making sure . Thanks

[@gwenheng]

@@gayatrimaharaj Happy sewing! xx

[@annavictoriagriewahn9227]

Question- when she was drafting the pattern, I got lost when she was making the ark. After she made the square, and did the diagonal line, idk which measurements she used for the curve.

[@Cristina19243]

Are handmade clothes less resistant than those bought from stores?

[@gwenheng]

Excellent question! I have clothes I made from almost 10 years ago that I am still wearing. If it's made well, it's made to last. Fast fashion don't last as long most of the time either because of the workmanship, the fact that it's a trend trap we sometimes fall into, or that they don't actually fit us nicely. Hope this helps! x

[@Cristina19243]

@@gwenheng Thank you so much. Your videos are very helpful. They made me want to start sewing!! ❤️ You're doing a great job!

[@bonk6858]

Hi, Im struggling with how much fabric to buy because this is my first sewing project and Im unsure on how to calculate that? my measurements are overall a bit smaller but I'll probably do the bib that goes with this skirt so its great if I have extra. The fabric Im looking at is 100% cotton and comes in yards. Im not even sure if cotton is a good fabric for this skirt. I also want to add pockets, and I swear you mentioned how, but I can't find it :( . It'd be really cool if I you maybe knew if cotton could be used and how to go about adding pockets.

[@lianadolan6734]

Cotton is perfect and just search adding side seam pocket to garments, loads come up. Very simple to do

[@gwenheng]

Hi hi! Yes, cotton is great and yes, I mentioned that pockets could be added but I haven't made a video for that on my channel. In terms of how much fabric to buy, it kind of depends on the width of the fabric too. Some fabrics come in 45", some in 60". The best bet is to put it on the floor and try to measure it out with a measuring tape.. OR take the pattern piece to the shop and place it against the fabric! x😁

[@neemamfungo5543]

Can I use the same principle to make 5 panels?? 3 panels in the front and 2 panels at the back??

[@gwenheng]

The short answer is yes. But there will be math involved. If you want the front and back to be the same size, then you will need 2 different panel sizes. If you want 5 panels of the same size, then you just do the math once. The math will be about adjusting the size of the “pie” 😀 i hope this makes sense!

[@hasnayaya]

just wondering why did u base the waistline? im new to this stuff

[@gwenheng]

hello! I basted the waistline because it's a curved cut and there's a risk of the fabric being stretched out while handling the pieces when sewing. The basting stitches help to hold the fabric in place and prevent it from stretching out :)

[@RaimondsStrelnieks-bb8yb]

Man patīk tie svārki.

[@gwenheng]

🥰🥰🥰

[@RaimondsStrelnieks]

Man patik tie svarki.

[@kristingrady3590]

This is my first sewing project. I am working with muslin. I noticed that my pattern piece is not symmetrical. The edge of the pattern was my paper, and the other side's angle is sharper. (A bit hard to explain without a protractor!) Is this a major flaw? Which edges do I sew together?

[@gwenheng]

Hi Kristin! I’ll be worried about it not being symmetrical. The pattern piece should be symmetrical. This means the skirt might not end up being even all around.. I think reviewing the steps for drafting would be best. Good luck!! 💖

[@ELIADAYONG]

Hi Gwen! I’m trying to make a skirt with 3 panels (1 for the front and 2 back panels) so that I can have pockets and a back zipper closure. How should I modify the equation to fit as I would only have 3 seam lines?

[@ELIADAYONG]

Would I be able to calculate it by reducing to 6xSA in the equation, then using the drafted pattern for 1 skirt panel, fold down one side of seam allowance and cut on fold?

[@gwenheng]

There’s no need to adjust the drafting at all! Use the same pattern piece but 🔸 cut the front ON THE FOLD with the same pattern piece, making sure the seam allowance is taken away where the fold of the fabric is 🔸 cut the 2 back pieces as usual Let me know if this makes sense. 😀

[@gwenheng]

Adding to say the FOLD of the fabric should be along the lengthwise grain of the fabric (parallel to the selvedge).

[@ELIADAYONG]

@@gwenheng got it! Thank you so much 😊💕💕

[@darinl9405]

The grainline is parallel to the selvage..and that is always the length of the garmet. Isnt it?

[@gwenheng]

Hmmm I don't really understand your question. Could you explain a little more?

[@thomasdg2586]

I want to make a half circle skirt but with 8 panels! How can i adjust this pattern?

[@gwenheng]

Hi Thomas! You can draft the pattern WITHOUT adding seam allowance along the way. Then, slice the final pattern in half lengthwise. Add seam allowance along the sides and hem allowance at the end. Hope this helps! x

[@fatimatarek6972]

what is the width of one panel at the end of skirt?

[@3939889ISME]

What kind of drafting paper are you using?

[@gwenheng]

This is gonna sound weird but I actually use pink butcher paper. XD Got it from Amazon. I wanted something more sturdy than regular tracing/drafting paper!

[@3939889ISME]

@@gwenheng cool. In the video the paper looks like sturdy enough but not so hard. I bought a roll of paper but so hard to cut. That’s why I am asking

[@gwenheng]

@@3939889ISME What kind of paper did you get? Yeah, this paper is just slightly thicker than regular printing paper. Still tears but pretty sturdy!

[@3939889ISME]

@@gwenheng I am not quite sure as i am so new to sewing. However I bought in a sewing store and they told me this is the paper they used for pattern. But so thick and hard to cut lol

[@gwenheng]

Oooo I think I know what you're talking about! Those are great for patterns you wanna keep cutting and use again and again! Hope you'll find a good alternative that works for you! x

[@esraaadel1187]

❤❤❤❤

[@mikivanduyn9630]

omg...i did make a skirt like this when i was 14 yesrs old... everyone who knows how to saw knows its the first thing you learn in sawing class...

[@rd6203]

💚💙💚

[@annavictoriagriewahn9227]

What does she mean when she says measure the distance of r?

[@alfredm9763]

I guessed wrong. I thought stitch in the ditch

[@gwenheng]

Aww it’s okay. No prizes for winners and no punishments for wrong guesses 😂🌼

[@sarahs7253]

Wow this is complicated 😅

[@gwenheng]

😅😅😅 Ahhh sorry I tried my best to make it approachable!!

[@lorsholczk7329]

Very blury explanation,something so simple but u make it sound complicated.Why 8 times seam allowance you should explain.

[@lucilledaub5991]

In the United States we use inches. Your math was confusing to me. I don’t understand it at all. Sorry