If you’ve ever wanted to make a circle skirt, a cape, a peplum, a ruffle, a tree skirt, or even a round bag, but didn’t want to stop and do all that circle math first, these templates are designed to make the process so much easier.
In this post I’ll show you how to choose the size you need, how to print (or project) the templates, and a few different ways to use them in your sewing projects.
What’s in the circle template set
These circle templates are a simple tool you can keep in your sewing room and reuse whenever you need a circle. The set includes:
- Sizes from 15″ to 60″ circumference
- Letter and A4 files for printing at home
- An A0 file for copy shop printing
- A projector file
Each template is labeled with its size in both inches and centimeters, so you can grab the one you need quickly. There’s also a QR code on every template that brings you back to the video, so if you ever get stuck, help is one scan away.
Important: the templates do not include seam allowance. Decide how much your project needs and add it before you cut.
Each template is a quarter circle
Before you cut anything, here’s the key to understanding these templates: each one is a quarter circle. The curved edge represents one quarter of a full circle. Depending on what you’re making, you can use it:
- As is, for a quarter circle
- On folded fabric, for a half circle
- On double-folded fabric, for a full circle, without having to draw the whole circle yourself
Printing your templates at home
Choose the Letter or A4 file to match your printer and paper.
When you print, set your printer to 100% scale / actual size. Don’t use “fit to page.” It changes the dimensions of the template, and then your circle won’t be the size it says it is.
Before you print everything, print just the first page and check the test square. It should measure exactly 2″ x 2″ (or 5 cm x 5 cm). Once that’s right, print the sizes you want and tape them together.
Tip: If you’ll use these often, print them on heavyweight cardstock, or mount the printed pages onto cardstock or manila paper. A sturdier template is easier to trace and holds up to being used again and again. You can even punch a hole near the top straight edge of each one and keep the whole set on a large binder ring, so every size is always in one place and you never have to reprint.
How to cut a half circle skirt
Here’s how I used a template to make a half circle skirt for my half-scale form:
- Cut out the template on the line.
- Decide how many pieces your skirt needs (two halves or one whole circle). This depends on the size of the skirt and the width of your fabric.
- For a half circle skirt, fold your fabric in half, line the template up in the folded corner, and pin it down.
- Trace the curve. This is your waist seam line. (I used a black marker so you could see it on camera, but use pencil or something that won’t show through.)
- Measure the skirt length. Pin the end of a tape measure at the corner, then measure out your skirt length (I used 9 ½”) at several points along the curve, marking as you go.
- Connect the marks to draw the hem.
And that’s half of a circle skirt.
How to cut a circular ruffle
You can use two templates together to make a circular ruffle. For a ruffle that’s 3 ¼” wide, find the two templates whose curves are 3 ¼” apart when you lay one on top of the other.
- Pin the smaller template in the corner of your folded fabric and trace the edge.
- Remove it, pin the larger template in the same spot, and trace that edge.
Now you have a ruffle circle.
Remember: these are stitch lines, not cut lines. Add seam allowance (at least ¼”) around the edge you’ll sew, and add a hem allowance to the outer edge if you plan to hem it.
How to draft a cape or cloak
All you need to know is your starting circumference. For a cape, measure around your neck and add a few inches of ease so you’re not choking yourself. Then:
- Find the quarter circle that matches the neckline size you want.
- Place it and trace it.
- Use a tape measure to mark the length of the cape from that curve, the same way as the skirt.
This is when a really long tape measure comes in handy. For a floor-length cloak, you’ll usually use one of the smaller templates (15″ to 20″) for the neckline. And you’ll want to find really wide fabric, so you don’t have to piece more in.
Using the projector file
If you sew with a projector, the projector file means no printing and no taping. Even better, you can edit the template on your computer to create the exact pattern piece you need, then project it.
Here’s how I made a quarter of a long skirt in Adobe Illustrator, with a 35″ waist and a 50″ waist-to-hem length:
- Open the projector file and the Layers panel. Turn off the layers around the size you want (35″), so it’s easy to see which one you’re working with.
- Create a new layer on top of the 35″ layer.
- Draw the side lines. Click with the Line Segment tool to draw a 50″ line at 0° from one end of the waist curve, and a 50″ line at 90° from the other end, extending the two straight edges of the quarter circle. Thicken the strokes so they’re easy to see.
- Offset the waist curve. Select it and use Object › Path › Offset Path with an offset of 50″. The result looks a little funky, but it gives you the general hem shape.
- Redraw the hem with the Pen tool. Pen from the end of one side line to the other, dragging the curve until it lines up with the offset path. Then fine-tune it, because it’ll need a little love.
- Delete the offset path once you’re done with it.
- Reconnect the waistline by tracing over the waist curve with the Pen tool, then turn off the 35″ layer.
Now you have a quarter skirt piece with a 35″ waist and a 50″ length, ready to project. You can do the same thing in Affinity Designer or any vector program that can open a PDF. A cloak works the same way: start from one of the smaller neckline circles and extend the length to the floor.
More ways to use circle templates
These templates aren’t just for clothing. You can also use them for:
- Tree skirts
- Round bags
- Quilting and appliqué
- Table toppers
- Circular patchwork pieces
- Costume pieces
- Decorative fabric circles
- Craft projects
Anytime you need a consistent circle or quarter circle, these give you a fast starting point.
Templates are tools, not finished patterns
One important thing to remember: these templates are tools, not finished sewing patterns. The size printed on each template is the circle measurement. To finish your project, you may still need to add:
- Seam allowance
- Ease
- Closures
- Design adjustments
- Your hem length (like the skirt and cape examples above)
So always think about how the circle is being used in your project. That gives you much more flexibility than being locked into one finished pattern.
Once you understand that each piece is a quarter circle, these templates become a really versatile tool for garments, quilting, crafts, and so much more.
Get the printable circle templates →
If you use them for a project, I’d love to see what you make. Was it a circle skirt? A cape? A ruffle? Something I didn’t even think of? Let me know in the comments on the video.
For more pattern making, fitting, and digital sewing resources, subscribe on YouTube.
Happy creating!
