4 ways to hem circle skirt

How to hem circle skirt or any curved edge

I've made many circle skirts now, and the nirma skirt is essentially a circle skirt and I've made many now. So its time for me to share my learning.
Click the image for the method you want to see.
Circle skirt although is the simplest to cut, I think it is the most difficult to sew - simply because we need to sew a much larger fabric onto a smaller fabric without gathering. It is tricky really. I'll here show the various methods I've used. My favorite here is double fold. It gives a very professional look - if I may say :)

All images are edited using picmonkey. 
I'm slowing moving away from gimp and using picmonkey.


I'll show you four different types here: (Note I have used white thread just to show, you would need to use matching thread)

1. Zig Zag finish or serger to hem curved edge

( if you have one):  This is the easiest for a starter, but doesn't give a neat look though. You can learn how to zig zag here.
Difficulty level: super easy, very simple
Look: not bad
Time taken : hardly


I've used this method for the 1 hour nirma skirt I made. It was less than an hour because I used the easiest method to hem.

Once you have zig zag stitched if there are threads hanging then you can cut them out.

2. Zig zag and fold to hem curved edge:

Difficulty level: easy, simple
Look: not bad
Time taken: 15 minutes. (this is for me)


This gives a better finish than above zig zag. It is neat from front but since a circle skirt twirls the zig zag will the seen which is on the wrong side.
I've used this method in this circle skirt

 a. Zig zag stitch the ends and sew 1 cm from the edge.

b. Sew all around the skirt. Above is just for the tutorial and I've just used a curved fabric piece ..  obvious I know but just thought of mentioning, just in case :)

c. Press wrong sides together at the sewn line with the sewn line folded towards the wrong side so it is not seen.

d. Sew on top of the zig zag stitch.

e. In case you cannot manage the fabric (the top part is much larger than the bottom in figure above) then use a pin to push some of the fabric under the presser. You would get a small pucker there but that is on the inside and will not be seen)

3. Bias Tape to hem curved edge:

Difficulty level: easy, simple
Look: Good
Time taken: 15 minutes. (this is for me)

 a. With right sides together, pin the bias tape all around the skirt edge and leave a 4 cm tail on either side of the middle line shown. After that start to sew from the point mentioned Start up until point mentioned End. The start and end are about 6 cm apart.

 b. Sew all around

 c. You can see here the gap, we left

 d. Pinch the tails with right sides together at the middle line and pin together.

 e. Sew on the pinned line.

 f. Cut the tails close to the stitching line.

 g. Sew close the gap we left of about 6cm

 h. This is how it looks.

 i. Press the bias towards the wrong side of skirt

 j. If there is any extra fabric (bias) than the skirt below then push in some of the bias into the presser foot or raise the presser foot creating a pucker. It is on the inside, so it will not be seen.

4. Double Fold hem circular edge: 

Difficulty level: medium
Look: quite professional.
Time taken: 25 minutes (this is for me)

This is the most complex of the lot and the most professional looking. However it is also the most time consuming way to finish the skirt - but I'd say it is worth the time and effort.
I've used this method  black circle skirt,  nirma skirt, nirma skirt, nirma skirt.

 a. From the edge of the skirt sew 1 cm from it. This stitching line will help to fold the fabric.

 b. Press the wrong sides together at the stitching line with stitching line towards the wrong side.

 c. Just go over the whole skirt again to press.

 d. Now sew again over the first stitching line all over.

 e. Sew all along.

 f. Again fold 1 cm same side as before (right with wrong side this time since it was already folded once). Press.

 g. Press all over again.

 h. Sew on top of the stitching line. you will have 2 stitching line here. On the bias fabric side it is easy since you can stretch the fabric as you sew but on non bias side it is difficult. So there are 2 ways here: One is to create a plucker.

i. Two is to pull the bottom fabric and leave the top fold loose as you sew. I have done this for all skirts and have managed to sew one of them without a single plucker.
Thanks,
Preethi.

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