Transform a tablecloth...

 

into a circle skirt!

I found this round gingham tablecloth whilst looking through my fabric stash the other day.  Then I remembered the wide elastic that I had been wanting to use to make an elastic waistband skirt with.  The result is this, an easy-peasy, twirly-whrily circle skirt.

The beauty of this skirt is that there are no side seams or hems to sew!

The Steps:

Step 1:  Fold your tablecloth.  Twice.  Now you have a pie wedge shape.  Make sure edges are even.  Use a pin to mark the point of the pie piece.  This is the center of your circle.  

Step 2: Measure your waist.  Now, since this is going to be an elastic waistband it will have stretch, so you need to subtract about 10% off this measurement.  I didn't take mine in enough, so it fits a little loose. There is a good tutorial here.

Example:  

Waist=34"

34" X 10%=3.4"

34"-3.4"=30.6"

Step 3:  Figure out how big to cut your circle.  To make a full skirt, you need twice the amount of fabric to elastic. So, double your waist measurement.  (30.6 X 2 = 61.2)  Time to use some geometry!  You need to find the radius (the measurement from the center of the circle to the outside of the circle).

We know the circumference (measurement around) is 61.2".  Take this number and divide by 3.14.  This gives you the diameter (measurement all the way across the circle).  61.2" / 3.14 = 19.5"  Is this stuff all coming back to you now?  Next, take the diameter and divide by 2. 19.5" / 2 = 9.75".

Step 4:  Unfold tablecloth once so that you have a half circle.  Measure out the radius measurement in several places and place pins.  Use the pins as a guide to cut out your circle. (I'm all about eye-balling things).

Step 5:  Cut your elastic using the measurement you calculated earlier. Sew into a circle by overlapping the ends 1/2", and zig-zag stitching along both edges.  

Step 6:  Baste around cut edge of fabric and gather.

Step 7:  Place right sides of fabric and elastic together.  Keep working with fabric until fabric and elastic fit together, pinning as you go.

Step 8:  Stitch in place.  I used a straight stitch on mine, but I think next time I'll try a zig-zag to allow for stretchiness.  

Step 9:  Zig-zag around edge to keep fabric from fraying.

Step 10:  Twirl!

You may want to hem for a shorter skirt, or add some adorable ric-rac trim!  This would make an adorable poodle skirt.  I'm thinking about trying this with a square tablecloth.  Whatcha think?