Thread: 'standard' sizing for bellydance circle skirts

Of course unless you are buying custom made to measure you..are circle skirts offered in a sort of 'standard' small, medium, large size? Other than length, how wide along the top edge is the front panel (understanding it's on elastic to open or slide closed)

I had one made for me that is a quarter half circle so it's not as wide in front, I have to wear harem pants underneath..

just wondering what is 'standard' width in the front panel

and how many yards of fabric do they average?

The width of each panel is is determined by the depth of the 1/2 circle cut from the top of the panel, the area for the elastic. In order to grasp the info I so poorly worded check Shira's website.

dito

Mass produced skirts typically have a half circle panel in front and one in back. The circumference of the skirt top is usually around 50 or 52" (sometimes a little smaller) when fully stretched. So the front panel can be anywhere from 25" or smaller in width when moved around in the elastic. Most of the mass produced skirts do not come in small medium or large... just one size fits all... typically 36" in length and can stretch to around 50" in the upper hip. If you are asking because you're thinking about making some silk skirts (which would be awesome), I'd do a 1/2 panel in front and a full circle (2 half panels) in back. If you are sewing the casing together up top instead of leaving the front panel separate from the rest of the skirt, it would be great if you added a small hole for elastic to go through and attach the elastic to itself via safety pin so that the purchaser can adjust the elastic to fit her comfortably.

A 1/4 panel with harem pants sounds fun. Do the pants have slits in the front? It won't be as full but if you have slitted harem pants you'd have a nice vintage, leggy look.

ETA: as far as yards of fabric... it takes me about 7 yards to do a 3 half panel circle skirt and 5 yards to do a 2 half panel circle skirt. A 1/4 panel and 1/2 panel would probably only be about 4 yards. Definitely check out Shira's site for more insight into circle skirt construction. Top widths of panels will definitely vary based on the body type you want it to fit. http://www.shira.net/costuming/skirt-circle.htm

thank you

yes I'm a bit less enthralled that there aren't more sizing options when looking for a skirt.

yes I've made silk skirts before it's just tough to keep them in stock and dyeing all the silk is labor intensive. But worth it when they are done.

the pants I had no they were made of silk charmeuse as the skirt was and no leg slits but i know where you are going with this ..i would have preferred a leggier look. I'd like to offer silk skirts made with just a quarter panel but afraid it may narrow the market as many dancers may not want to get one that is skimpy in front. I wore my quarter panel but wore another silk chiffon skirt over the top for a layered look..without harems though. If it's not breezy it works great

I just came across this video. It looks like a 1/2 circle in back and a 1/4 in front... and silk (at least it looks that way to me)! I like the way that it's done up in front. Though the panel in front isn't very wide, it covers yet looks leggy the way the panels are fixed together in front. Perhaps you could do this?

Yup Sadie's skirt is 1/4 panel in front. It looks like she pinned it at the side.

The first circle skirt I ever made was 1/4 panel in front and 3/4 panel in the rear because that was the style then. Where Sadie's is pinned, we tucked that pinned spot into our belts, creating a bit of ruffle at the sides as well as leaving a bit of upper thigh (or pantaloons) exposed. Everything old is new again!

It takes 6 yards to make a 1-1/2 circle skirt, 1/2 circle in front, 1 circle in back. I've made a couple of double circle skirts w/spilts, that is, four panels 1/2 circle each. It's kind of awkward to have an even amount on each side of the split, so always keep the front panel smaller than the back, ie, 1/4 front, 3/4 or 1 in back, 1/2 in front 1 or 1-1/2 in back, 1-1/4 in front, 1-3/4 in back

Other people have already recommended Shira's instructions. My only comment is that I've made dozens of circle skirts using 6 yards of fabric. I often bought sparkly chiffons from a sari store that sold plain sari fabric (no pallu) pre cut in 6 yard lengths