Fat Quarter Circle Skirt (pattern hack)

I’m sharing the tutorial and pattern for this adorable Fat Quarter Circle Skirt today!

Fat Quarter Circle Skirt

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I had gone on a fun trip a few weeks ago and was able to meet up with other sewing bloggers and even got to take a few hands-on classes.  There were quite a few classes offered and I took a paper piecing class and an embroidery class.  (See what I made in the paper piecing class here.)

Since the paper piecing/pillow class was the last teaching class of the trip, we were able to keep our scrap fabrics (6 fat quarters.)  Once I got home, I realized the fat quarters I chose didn’t really match anything in my house, so rather that use them to finish the pillow project, I made a skirt!

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Oh yes, a much better use of those fat quarters!  Wouldn’t you agree?

I used my free Roller Skate Skirt pattern to make this version, but instead of knits, the skirt is made with quilting cotton and an elastic casing for the waistband.  I also split up the panels to allow for more fabrics to be used

Turned out so cute!  Plus I love having another way to use up my stash of fat quarters.  (Because you know I’ve got a ton, lol.  And if you are a collector of pretty fabrics, you probably have a few too!)

If you are looking for a way to use up some of your fat quarters, here are a few more projects you might enjoy:

• Fat Quarter Picnic Quilt
• Reversible Apron Top using Fat Quarters
• Flat Front Panel Skirt (free pattern sz 2 to 10)
• Easy Child’s Apron Pattern and Tutorial (this pattern comes in 3 sizes now, but this size can be made with fat quarters)
• Free Motion Quilting – Embellished Towels
• Patchwork Shorts and Appliqued Tee Tutorial

Ready to see how this skirt was made?

Fat Quarter Circle skirt Instructions

Click here to open the post with the pattern link and tutorial.  (You will need to grab the pattern and read through that tutorial first.)

The changes to make this multi-paneled version are:

Materials needed:

• 6 to 11 fat quarters
• 1/2 inch elastic or stretchy knit fabric- depends on your waistband choice
• basic sewing supplies

Step 1: Read through the original tutorial and download the pattern.

1.  Print out the skirt panel in size needed.

Instead of cutting fewer panels on the fold, you will cut individual panels and sew them together.  Cutting the panels this way means we need to add fabric for extra seam allowances.  

You can do this 2 ways:  Add extra seam allowance on one side of the panel when cutting them out or just add 2 extra panels.  (If using quilting cotton, finish the panel seams with your favorite finishing method!)  (I chose the second way, because I could get 2 panels out of one fat quarter. <Size 7 and smaller, with no extra seam allowance, can get 2 panels from 1 fat quarter.>)

2.  Once the panels are sewn together, you can follow the patterns original instructions and add a yoga-style waistband with knit fabric or follow the instructions below to add an elasticized casing waistband with a coordinating fat quarter.

Adding an Elasticized Waistband instructions:  

1/4 inch seam allowances unless otherwise specified.

Step 2.  Get your measurement:  Measure around the widest point of the hip and add 4 inches to that number.

Hip measurement + 4 inches = Your waistband measurement.

If you don’t have a child to measure, here are the standardized measurements I like to use.  (Though, I alway recommend getting measurements if you can- children can be all over the chart.  My daughter falls in a size 7/8 height size and size 5 hip.)
Standard size 3 hip:  22
Standard size 4 hip:  23
Standard size 5 hip:  24
Standard size 6 hip:  25
Standard size 7 hip:  27.5
Standard size 8 hip:  28.5
Standard size 10 hip:  30

Step 3.  Cut/sew waistband:
Cut out a strip of fabric, the width of your measurement by 5 inches tall for size 6 and under and 6 inches tall for size 7 and over.  If you are using a fat quarter, you will need to cut 2 and sew them together- if this is the case, add another .25 inches for the extra seam allowance.

Right sides together sew the waistband side seams together.

To create the casing, fold the top of the casing over 1/4 inch, press.  Fold over another 3/4 inch and press.

Sew right along the bottom edge of the casing, leaving a 1.5 inch opening to thread the elastic through.

Don’t forget to leave the opening!

Step 4.  Gather and attach the skirt.

Sew a basting/gathering stitch all the way around the top of the skirt. (1/4 inch from the top.)

Pull on the bobbin thread to gather the skirt.  Keep gathering until the top of the skirt is the same width as the waistband.  (Keep in mind, it is not very much gathering.)

Right sides together, pin the skirt to the waistband.

Sew together, just under the gathering stitch.

Finish this seam.

Topstitch and remove any gathering stitches that show.

Step 5: Hem the skirt (1/2 inch hem allowance included.  )  If you are having trouble hemming a circle skirt, check our my single fold bias tape method I showed in the original pattern instructions.

Use a saftey pin to thread the elastic through the skirt.  Sew elastic ends together and close the opening.

You are done!

Have your little one try it on show you some twirls!

On a side note, I’ve been trying to get down to this little field of yellow flowers for a month… Finally did, so gorgeous!

Don’t forget to share photos of your creations to my facebook page or tag me on instagram.  I can’t wait to see them!