Thread: TUTORIAL: Easy Circle Skirt

Ever have a gig or a performance where you need a particular color of skirt? But, well, if you're like me you always seem to need what you don't have and don't realize it until the last minute. Last night, I needed either a white or silver skirt for two different costumes. It was a last-minute sort of need, and not one I could rectify with ebay ;) So, in sheer desparation, I headed into a thrift store, picked up a ball skirt, and transformed it into a circle skirt.

It worked quite well! I honestly had never thought of doing this until when the need arose so, if you've never considered re-purposing an old full skirt or prom dress, I can tell you it works great!

I made a tutorial of it (hope you all like it ;) ) because I wanted to remember how the heck I did this. It's super simple, and quick, and the results were great (helllloooo not having to hem the skirt or let it hang!):

The tutorial is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishaki...7605119138444/
I'll post photos of how it looks on asap, but I wore it last night for a gig and got lots of compliments!

PS - I confess that I love making these tutorial thingys. Hope I don't annoy all of you by posting them!

You bet, this is a great idea. There was a style of party dress they made, I think in the 80's, that would have a sort of cummerbund affair in the middle, and a bodice with batwing sleeves, and an enormous skirt, circle and a half or even a double circle. Now hopelessly dated and frumpy, nobody would be caught dead wearing one, but wow what skirts. One of my most fave dance skirts came off a dress like that. It's black; fabulous drapey material, and I added a pre-made 4" wide gathered black lace trim to the bottom edge. I have another one in the closet waiting for me to get around to it. Teal green with a huge sheer overskirt. Since these skirts are so big and are designed to fit at the natural waistline, while with a dance costume we want them considerably shorter, you can take a dress that would normally be way too small for you and get a dance skirt out of it that will fit you. I like that!
Rosette

This is awesome. I've bookmarked it. I love re-purposing things to make new costumes. You should post this on the DIY/Belly dance on a budget tribe on tribe.net, they would love it.

great idea. I'd like to refer to this often!

That's really cool. Because it was originally a skirt, there is no danger of the hem shifting?? IIRC, you have to let the material for a circle skirt shift around and wait for it to sort itself out

I've made a few like this! If you are lucky you can find the ones with multiple layers of chiffon and silk already...it makes like wonderfully simple :)

Misha, great tutorials! Thank you.

"Mr. Safetypin" made me laugh. I've done this with old fluffy prom/ wedding party dresses.

Had one with a chiffon skirt and fitted velvet top that made a really nice underbust vest and harem pants set.

Very well done! Enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by jaziri

"Mr. Safetypin" made me laugh. I've done this with old fluffy prom/ wedding party dresses.

Had one with a chiffon skirt and fitted velvet top that made a really nice underbust vest and harem pants set.

"Mr. Safetypin" is referred to as such because we had an ONGOING dialog during this project because it did NOT want to assist moving through the casing. heh. finally i persuaded him otherwise! ..l;,

Originally Posted by indigostars

That's really cool. Because it was originally a skirt, there is no danger of the hem shifting?? IIRC, you have to let the material for a circle skirt shift around and wait for it to sort itself out

Yes! That's why I really like this type of "super quick and easy" re-purposing because the hem is already set. So it should be fine to go ahead, make it into a skirt and dance about in it!

That is awesome. Please post all the tutorials you want! They help those of us who could be considered special needs in the sewing area.