The bell skirt is one of the simplest garments to wear. It is made up of a simple circle. It comes down in pleats from the waist and can be of various lengths, from mini to maxi. In this article, you will use two circular cuts of fabric plus an extra one for the waistline. In short, a project suitable for beginners and ideal for anyone who wants to make a skirt in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Part 1: Measure the Length
As already mentioned, the skirt can have various lengths. The hem therefore does not necessarily have to be uniform; you can use creativity with the zigzag, or do multiple layers or even hemming differently. For convenience, we will consider the straight hem. However, you can change these instructions to whatever length you prefer; this element will be defined in this guide length measurement.
Step 1. Stand in front of the mirror
Decide where you want the skirt to go. Using a tape measure, measure from the waist to the desired point (better if a friend does it). Here's yours length measurement (remember the term in bold so you can better identify it in the instructions).
Method 2 of 6: Part 2: Cut the Half Circles
Step 1. Lay the fabric on the work surface
The surface should be suitable for the pins and the tip of the pencil, so you can also put a cork shelf or something similar under it. Make sure the fabric is taut and without puckering.
Step 2. Using your chosen length, bring it along the horizontal edge of the fabric
Mark this measurement with a pin or chalk.
Step 3. Then measure your waist radius
You'll need some math here!
- Measure your waist or hips (where the skirt will rest when finished).
- Divide this number by 3, 14 (π).
- Divide the result by 2. This is the radius of life.
Step 4. Tie a string to a pencil
The length of the cord should be a few centimeters larger than that of the waist just obtained.
Step 5. Mark the smaller side of the semicircle:
- Place the loose end of the string on the fabric over the point you marked earlier.
- Stretch the pencil horizontally until the string tightens. Press the tip into the fabric. This will be the "center" point of the semicircle.
- As soon as the cord is stretched, always move it while keeping it taut and draw on the fabric. With this movement you will mark the fabric, drawing a semicircle.
- Continue until the chalk line ends on the other side of the pencil, at the horizontal edge of the fabric. At this point you should see the shape of the semicircle obtained.
Step 6. Mark the first large semicircle:
- From the end of the small one you just drew, measure the length outwards (in other words, continues on the horizontal length of the fabric).
- Mark or pin where the ends length measurement.
- Cut a piece of string. This time it must be as long as the sum of the length measurement and that of life. Attach the string to the pencil as before.
- Place the pencil in the center of the semicircle. Tighten the string to the left of the pencil, holding it horizontally.
- Press on the fabric by drawing a wider semicircle that coincides with the length of the tight cord. You will get a wide semicircle on the outside of the small one.
Step 7. Cut along the lines of the two semicircles
You will then have the first half of the skirt. It should look like some kind of rainbow.
Step 8. Make the other half
Simply use the first one you just cut out as a template. Pin it to the fabric, then cut out.
Step 9. Sew zigzag stitches along the edges of the two pieces of fabric
This prevents the fabric from fraying.
Method 3 of 6: Part 3: Join the Semicircles into a Skirt
Step 1. Place one of the halves on the work surface
The right side of the fabric must face up.
Step 2. Lay the other half on top of the first
This time, place the right side down.
Step 3. If you are using a zipper, place it on one of the straight sides
Place it in the center of the hem, where the waistband will go. The part to be pulled should be over the edge, just above the part of the semicircle that the waistband will go on.
Step 4. Pin the fabric along the edge
Place two of them at the base of the zipper so that you can have a reference, since you will be sewing up to this point.
Step 5. Using a straight stitch, sew along the edges, stopping at the reference pins
Step 6. Open the circle
Lay it down with the inside facing up. Press the seam to flatten it. Continue ironing over the stitched part to keep the two edges perfectly taut.
Step 7. Straight stitch even the open ones where the zipper will go
Stay close to the hem, but remember not to sew the edges of the zipper together.
Step 8. Pin along the still unstitched straight edge of the skirt
Sew using a straight stitch (this time you don't have to stop). When you open the skirt you will find that the two semicircles form a whole one.
Step 9. Check how the skirt falls
Wear it. Keep the edges of the zipper closed with your fingers.
- It fits you perfectly: Great! Go like this.
- Too tight - cut some fabric around the waist. Try again and fix it if necessary.
- Too Loose: Sew new straight stitch lines where you think they would look best. Excess fabric left beyond the lines can be cut away. Use the zigzag on the hems to prevent the fabric from fraying - this style of skirt allows you to easily hide any mistakes.
Method 4 of 6: Part 4: Creating the Waistband
Step 1. Use the same fabric as the skirt
The only exception is if you had opted for a contrast, but the fabric must still be not too dissimilar.
Step 2. Determine the length
Make the band approximately 8 cm longer than the distance from the edge of the waist. Measure it along the fabric and mark the distance or use a pin.
Step 3. Fold up the edge of the fabric
The facing should be as wide as the band, plus another 3 cm or so for the seams.
Step 4. Cut out the waist band from the fabric
Lay the strip with the inside facing up.
Step 5. Create the flaps for the short sides
- Fold each short side inward about 1.5cm.
- Iron each flap.
- Using a straight stitch, sew it while staying close to the edge.
Step 6. Hem
- Fold the long sides back about 1.5cm.
- Iron each flap.
- Fold the entire strip in half. Iron. You now have a "closure" to place on the skirt.
Step 7. Add the sash to the skirt
- Line up the short side of the band with the side of the zipper.
- Secure the perimeter of the band with pins.
- Continue with the pins around the waist of the skirt.
- The result should be a perfectly pinned headband. There should be a bit of extra headband left. Use it to secure the front of the waist with the back.
Step 8. Hand sew around the edge
Use wide basting stitches to hold everything in place - the idea is to sketch the whole thing out before sewing it right. If you want to skip this step, keep in mind that pins may get in the way of the sewing process.
Step 9. Remove the pins
Machine sew around the waist with straight stitches. Each stitch must include both edges of the band and the fabric of the skirt so be careful.
Use a stapler to remove the basting
Method 5 of 6: Part 5: Add the Zipper
Step 1. Place the zipper in the space you left empty earlier
It must rest behind the waist band.
Step 2. Secure the zipper with pins
Both sides of the fabric should cover the zipper so it doesn't show from the outside.
Step 3. Turn the skirt inside out
At this point the hinge will be completely exposed. As with life, sew by hand by removing the pins.
Step 4. Switch to machine
Use a straight stitch on the two edges of the zipper. Then with a hand stitch also attach it to the waistband, in this way no seam will be visible when you wear the skirt.
Step 5. Add a nice button
To give it an extra touch, you can add a button to close it further, right above the skirt. Or use any other way to close based on what you like.
Step 6. That's it
You now have a nice bell skirt to wear. If you want, you can decorate it with ribbons, bows, lace etc. or just leave it that way.
Method 6 of 6: Part 6: Basic Skirt Variations
Variations on the shape of this skirt include:
- Length
- Adding ribbons at the waist (front or back)
- Use of different colored fabrics for the front and back panels (or for the waistline)
- Cutting the hems in different ways
- Layering (a little more effort for a cute look)
- Use of lighter or heavier fabrics (for summer and winter)
- Change lengths - experiment to see which one you like best, but be careful to choose the right fabrics for each length.
Advice
- To create the hem of the skirt you can choose to use special ribbons (bias tape) or turn the fabric on the edges. It's easier than trying to sew.
- The thread you will use for sewing must be the same color as the fabric unless you intentionally want to create a contrast.
