Circle skirts are a great starting point for the sewing newbie looking to enhance her gothy wardrobe. They’re appropriate for a range of styles from Lolita to gothabilly to trad goth. In shorter lengths, circle skirts are fun and flirty. Medium lengths lend a retro feel. Longer lengths are perfect for an elegant, almost decadent look. In any length, circle skirts are a fabulous partner for petticoats and/or corsets.
Patterns for circle skirts are readily available; just look for 1950's style poodle skirts (so named because poodles were a popular applique) in any pattern catalog’s costume section. McCall’s alone offers at least three options -
6234,
6101, and
5681.
McCall's 5681 is a good choice for the beginner. There are only two pattern pieces to cut. It has an elastic-in-casing waistband and is super easy to sew. Stitch two straight seams, add the waistband, hem - and you're done! It doesn't get much easier than that!
The envelope contains a pattern for a petticoat with a yoke in addition to the skirt. It so happens that the waistband also fits the petticoat, and you can use that combination to make a slightly shorter skirt. The skirts pictured below were made in that manner.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNQVxiI0X0DDzxt-kXghhFibAHrnhoFAB7CBscxmTj7aTZ6HDp5YeHBC7QaHFPC3gcd-gUFSyXck3I_8Hq2HSBsXaX5oazQVl9Nxz-PBq5kGX3fWU0zSyq-GLVaCfzQ6Y61zGvLqyi3s/s320/M5681+black+damask+print.JPG) |
black and white damask print cotton |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFJFftcmCmMmL1_xNquzWu01TJgmncQ8_BkQ9tt3BcTtYgmAt21dXbNfq4iSWoVGYbZpsOYge6HnYUOdSoJDdiL5vz59k9ddEJN0HNP2jzvps8lFclThfTgeAAmpBERCvuDcRJXAF39A/s320/M5681+confessional+print1.JPG) |
black and white print that reminds me of a confessional screen |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcWCTBldz8raVFZw4rrbxX3zKiObCpT2_aDwJfTNphklMryNCvej-sMw4qK2ptlDLFLDmeQKo4DSt7T5d_b0pjIPnB6HH0dbxM6EcohyS3kSC1yBkvg5MgB059b_d0LMVFyiQejYFwvg/s320/M5681+lilac.JPG) |
lilac cotton trimmed in black lace |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqNZxwsgwpLjnGHLV2iRLaZofgLl53NVU3Mhi4OtE6YEsD0D_cPXOaOZVdGeQnIxc5hkY08LjTBqOhPfG2VDUSJt-09FKNyPjYxVrn9asJdp7G4oTpKSfpMenU3ctOmKz8FcZjoS_ojU/s320/M5681+lilac+with+bat+lace1.JPG) |
same lilac skirt with bat pattern lace on top |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1ELGfaiIL6HSn4aAHUCW20mLdKz-5tlA3Hv8xZVb75XtZg4zjLyaAi7coWcRsCaP_6T5bSXytY9ihIH8gkmAAN2zODm5Y089iYoBSSbrVc6DlDLCdNbM8qMemYIJCEsrjQS9okaErVA/s320/M5681+purple+velvet.JPG) |
purple panne velvet |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0e6QiP5kwlLRCT95xp7seELZbDFZhZ8PgHKYXiRIeH82MBbVmnjZ_7bF_u3iF0EHgq5kHSDdOomAWtIwyB3g5OVDUY3metE7EY5_fP49o4oyi7zbmiqZriZGKgUF_dr4EeLSERuFfxw/s320/M5681+white+with+black1.JPG) |
white and black print cotton with grommet tape trim |
Your skirts are lovely!
ReplyDeleteOooh! I especially love the middle two!
ReplyDeleteSuper duper cute!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much! :)
ReplyDeleteI just followed your blog, and I love it! I also love the bat lace skirt and wish it were mine >.<
ReplyDeleteThank you! Welcome aboard! :)
DeleteI don't blog myself but I follow yours and had to de-lurk to thank you for your DIY and sewing tips - I am so clueless at sewing I think my sewing-machine is scared of me. Anyway, THANKS!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I had this funny image of a sewing machine frowning, saying "Don't hurt me!". ;) No one is born knowing how to sew - hang in there and you'll master it. Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you find my blog useful. :D
Deletecool skirts!
ReplyDeleteCute skirts. I have this pattern and was thinking of shortening it since it is so long. Will a 50's crinoline still work under the shorter size?
ReplyDeleteSure, as long as you don't shorten the skirt so much that it's shorter than your crinoline.
Delete