Quick answer: a knee-length (about 22 inch) full circle skirt for a 28 inch waist needs about 1⅝ yards of 60-inch fabric, cut in one piece, or about 3⅛ yards of 45-inch fabric, cut as two halves with side seams. Fabric width matters more than anything else, because a full circle skirt needs a square about twice the hem radius on each side.
Why width matters so much
A full circle skirt is a big disc. Its diameter is twice the hem radius. If your fabric is at least that wide, you can fold it in four and cut the whole skirt in one piece. If it isn't, you cut two half circles placed along the length of the fabric, which roughly doubles the length you need.
Full circle skirt, 28 inch waist
Includes a 1 inch hem. Rounded up to the nearest ⅛ yard.
| Finished length |
Hem radius |
45 in fabric |
60 in fabric |
| 18 in |
23.5 in |
2⅝ yd (two halves) |
1⅜ yd (one piece) |
| 22 in |
27.5 in |
3⅛ yd (two halves) |
1⅝ yd (one piece) |
| 26 in |
31.5 in |
3½ yd (two halves) |
3½ yd (two halves) |
| 30 in |
35.5 in |
4 yd (two halves) |
4 yd (two halves) |
Notice the jump at 26 inches on 60-inch fabric: the skirt's diameter (63 inches) is now wider than the fabric, so it switches to two halves and needs more than twice the fabric.
Half circle skirt, 28 inch waist
| Finished length |
Hem radius |
45 in fabric |
60 in fabric |
| 18 in |
27.9 in |
1⅝ yd (two quarters) |
⅞ yd (one piece) |
| 22 in |
31.9 in |
1⅞ yd (two quarters) |
1⅞ yd (two quarters) |
| 26 in |
35.9 in |
2 yd (two quarters) |
2 yd (two quarters) |
Half circle skirts use much less fabric and suit narrower fabrics better.
These are conservative estimates
The figures assume straightforward layouts. You can often save fabric by:
- Nesting pieces head to toe along the fabric
- Cutting the waistband from the scraps at the corners
- Choosing a slightly shorter length to stay under a width threshold
Buy a little extra for directional prints, napped fabrics such as velvet, and shrinkage if you prewash.
Choosing fabric width
If you love a full circle skirt longer than about 24 inches, look for wide fabric, 58 to 60 inches or more. Otherwise, plan for side seams.
Calculate your own waist, length and fabric with the circle skirt calculator. The math behind it is explained in the circle skirt formula.
Other waist sizes on 60 inch fabric
For a 22 inch full circle skirt with a 1 inch hem:
| Waist |
Hem radius |
Fits 60 in fabric in one piece? |
Fabric to buy |
| 24 in |
26.8 in |
Yes |
1½ yd |
| 28 in |
27.5 in |
Yes |
1⅝ yd |
| 32 in |
28.1 in |
Yes |
1⅝ yd |
| 36 in |
28.7 in |
Yes |
1⅝ yd |
Waist size changes the fabric needed less than you might expect. Length and fabric width are what matter most.
How to read fabric widths
Fabric is sold by length off a bolt of a fixed width. Common widths:
- 44–45 in: quilting cotton and many lightweight fabrics
- 54 in: some apparel fabrics and home décor fabrics
- 58–60 in: many knits, linens and apparel fabrics
- 108 in and wider: wide backing and some sheeting
The usable width is a little less once you trim selvages, so allow an inch or so when you check whether a skirt fits.
Choosing the right skirt for your fabric
- Narrow fabric and a long length? A half circle with side seams uses far less fabric than a full circle.
- Directional print? Cutting two halves means the print may run in different directions on each side. Plan the layout, and buy a little more.
- Border print? A full circle cut in one piece puts the border around the whole hem. Check that your fabric is wide enough.
Adding a waistband and pockets
The figures above are for the skirt body only. A straight waistband is usually cut along the fabric's length or from the corner scraps left by a full circle. In-seam pockets need an extra quarter yard or so, depending on size.
Common mistakes
Buying for the waist, not the length. A small waist doesn't save much fabric if the skirt is long.
Forgetting the hem allowance when checking whether the skirt fits the fabric width.
Not prewashing. If the fabric shrinks after cutting, the hem and waist both change. Prewash and buy a little extra to cover shrinkage.
Quick checklist before buying
- Decide the skirt type and finished length.
- Calculate the hem radius: waist radius + length + hem allowance.
- Compare twice the hem radius with the fabric's usable width.
- If it fits, buy about twice the hem radius in length; if not, plan for two pieces and about four times the radius.
- Add extra for the waistband, pockets, prewash shrinkage and directional prints.