A circle skirt is a classic garment that never goes out of style. It's feminine, versatile, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. One way to make a circle skirt even more interesting is to cut it on the bias. Cutting on the bias means cutting the fabric at a 45-degree angle to the grainline, which results in a skirt that drapes beautifully and moves with your body. In this guide, we'll show you how to cut a circle skirt on the bias, step by step.

Choosing the Right Fabric for a Bias Circle Skirt

When it comes to cutting a circle skirt on the bias, choosing the right fabric is crucial. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Look for fabrics that have a good drape. Lightweight fabrics like silk, rayon, and chiffon work well.
2. Avoid fabrics that are too stiff or heavy. These will not drape well and may make the skirt look bulky.
3. Consider the print or pattern of the fabric. A Bias Cut Skirt will highlight the print in a unique way, so choose a fabric with a pattern that you love.

Measuring and Cutting the Skirt Panels

Once you have your fabric, it's time to measure and cut the skirt panels. Follow these steps:

1. Measure your waist and hips. Divide your waist measurement by 3.14 to get the radius of the circle. Add 1 inch to the radius for seam allowance.
2. Cut a square of fabric that is as wide as your waist measurement plus seam allowance, and as long as you want your skirt to be.
3. Fold the fabric in half diagonally, so that it forms a triangle. This will be your first skirt panel.
4. Cut additional skirt panels by placing the first panel on top of the fabric and cutting around it. Repeat until you have the desired number of panels.

Sewing the Skirt Panels Together

Once you have all of your skirt panels, it's time to sew them together. Follow these steps:

1. Pin two skirt panels together, right sides facing each other. Sew along the straight edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
2. Pin another skirt panel to the first two, right sides facing each other. Sew along the straight edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
3. Continue adding skirt panels until you have sewn them all together.
4. Hem the bottom of the skirt using a narrow hem or bias tape.

Adding a Waistband and Zipper

To finish the skirt, you'll need to add a waistband and zipper. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a waistband from your fabric that is the same width as your waist measurement plus seam allowance, and about 2 inches wide.
2. Sew the short ends of the waistband together, right sides facing each other, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
3. Pin the waistband to the top of the skirt, right sides facing each other. Sew along the top edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
4. Insert a zipper into the back seam of the skirt. Follow the instructions on the zipper package.
5. Finish the waistband by folding it over the top of the skirt and sewing it down.

FAQs:

Q: What is the bias grainline?

A: The bias grainline is a 45-degree angle to the straight grainline of the fabric.