Measurements you need
Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually ¾–1⅝ in above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–4 cm above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.
Usually 22⅞–43¼ in.Usually 58–110 cm.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.
Usually 33⅛–51⅛ in.Usually 84–130 cm.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 23⅝ in, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 60 cm, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.
Skirt 15¾–39⅜ in, pants 35⅜–43¼ in, shorts 11¾–21⅝ in.Skirt 40–100 cm, pants 90–110 cm, shorts 30–55 cm.How the elastic-waist skirt is drafted
The skirt pulls on over the hips, so the elastic casing is the hip measurement (or the waist if it's wider) plus ease. On a gathered skirt, the top of each panel is wider than the casing by the fullness factor you choose: you gather it in when you attach it. On an A-line skirt, the top equals the casing, the side runs straight from the top and flares out by the amount you set, and the hem is curved so it meets the side seam at a right angle. The front and back are identical and cut on the fold.
Choosing fabric
For a gathered skirt, pick soft fabrics that gather nicely: spun rayon, viscose, batiste, lightweight cotton, chiffon with a lining. For an A-line elastic-waist skirt, linen, cotton, lighter denim and suiting with a little elastane all work. The heavier the fabric, the less fullness you get.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100% scale, without "fit to page". The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Tape the sheets together with an overlap along the strips ⅜ in1 cm; the sheet numbers and assembly diagram are on the first page. For a copy shop or plotter, choose "One-sheet PDF".
What you get
A full-size skirt panel on the fold — the front and back are cut the same way — plus the elastic casing. The pieces include the grainline, seam allowance and hem allowance. Below the draft you'll find the piece measurements and a suggested elastic length.
FAQ
How much fullness should I choose for a gathered skirt?
This is how many times wider the top of the skirt is than the casing: ×1.5 — light gathering, good for heavier fabrics; ×2 — classic full gathered skirt; ×2.5 — very full, for lightweight fabrics like chiffon and batiste.
How long should the elastic be?
Usually your waist measurement minus 3⅛–3⅞ in8–10 cm — the tool suggests a number below the draft. It's best to try the elastic around your waist: it should hold but not dig in. An elastic width of 1⅛–1⅝ in3–4 cm works well for a skirt.
Does it work if my waist is wider than my hips?
Yes. The skirt pulls on over the widest point, so the tool calculates the casing from the larger of the two measurements — hip or waist.
Can a beginner sew an elastic-waist skirt?
It's the best first skirt: two identical panels, two side seams, a casing and a hem. A gathered skirt is cut from rectangles — you can even draw the pattern straight onto the fabric using the measurements from the tool.
Is there a circle skirt with an elastic waist?
Yes: on the circle skirt page, choose "Elastic waist" in the "How it sits at the waist" field — the tool works out the waistline from your hips, the fabric amount and the cutting layout.