Circle Skirt Fabric Calculator
Calculate the waist radius and fabric square needed for full, half, or three-quarter circle skirts.
Results
What is it?
A circle skirt is cut from a quarter (or fraction) of a fabric circle. For a full circle skirt, the waist hole radius r = waist circumference / (2 x pi). For a half circle, r = waist circumference / pi. The total radius from center = waist radius + skirt length + seam allowance. You need a fabric square with sides of 2 x total radius.
How to use
Enter your waist measurement, desired skirt length, circle type, and seam allowance. The calculator gives you the fabric square size needed and total yardage to buy.
Example scenario
28 inch waist, 24 inch length, full circle, 5/8 inch seam: waist radius = 4.46 inches. Total radius = 4.46 + 24 + 0.625 = 29.08 inches. Fabric square = 58.17 inches. Yardage needed = approximately 1.67 yards.
Pro tip
Buy fabric at least 60 inches wide for full circle skirts — narrower fabric requires seaming additional pieces. For half circles, 44-inch fabric is often sufficient. The waist hole is cut as a quarter circle (for full circle) in the folded fabric's corner. Add a waistband or facing by cutting a separate piece — the waist seam alone will not hold its shape. Pre-wash fabric before cutting, as circle skirts can lose significant length on the bias grain after washing.