You Spin Me Right Round, a circle cutting tutorial

The simplest circle sew along possible. Now with finishing variations!

Note: I originally wrote this back in 2006 for some friends in a sewing forum. For this incarnation I've included some finishing variations to make not only a circle skirt, but a table cloth, Christmas tree skirt and a basic circle cape. Please excuse the quality of the photos. This was before I learned to do anything more fancy than simply press the button on my camera.

My "nothin fancy" pattern.



A= Waist to Hip
B= Hip to Length of skirt (+1" for hem if desired)
C= Waist to Length of skirt

In general the fabric should be a square. For sizes longer than the width of the fabric (usually 45" or 60") you have to actually cut 2 half circles from 2 separate pieces of fabric & sew them together to make a full circle. Thankfully kids are short so this isn't a problem!



1. Lay the fabric out flat










2. fold once, top to bottom










3. fold again, side to side










Note: the spot where all the folds come together










4. Measure out a string to the length of you C measurement plus a little extra for tying. Tie one end to a push pin, tie the other to your pen, marker, chalk. Stick the push pin into the corner where all the folds come together.
**alternately you can tie the end to a safety pin & pin it into the fold intersection, Just make sure the fabric stays in one place**










5. stretch the string out & trace the arc.










6. Repeat with the length of measurement A. If you'll be cutting this size a lot you can make several different thread length set ups. I always use the same thread & just wrap the extra length around my marker.










7. Cut along both arcs.










8. Unfold. Taadahh, a full circle.









Finishing

For a circle skirt: Serge elastic to the center circle, or fold a casing & insert elastic. Hem or serge bottom edge.

For a cape: Cut a straight line from the center circle to the outer edge. Fold the inner circle to form a casing. Thread ribbon through casing and secure with a tie or piece of velcro. Hem or serge bottom edge.

For a Christmas tree skirt: Cut a straight line from the center circle to the outer edge. Use double fold bais tape to finish all edges. Add ribbon ties or velcro to either side of the opening. Drape around tree base and secure closed.

For a table cloth: Skip step 6. Hem bottom edge of circle.

Enjoy!