How to Make a Skirt Out of a Tablecloth in 3 Simple Steps

Tools and materials:

• Round tablecloth
• Wide sewing elastic
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Thread
• Sewing machine

1. Choose your tablecloth

When you are choosing a round tablecloth for this DIY circle skirt, keep in mind that the larger the diameter of the tablecloth is, the longer your circle skirt will be. So, fold the tablecloth in half and hold it up to your waist to see how long of a skirt it will make.

Note that I worked with three different tablecloths for this tutorial, so you will notice different fabrics in the images.

2. Make your circle-skirt waist

Fold your tablecloth in half twice so you have a quarter-circle. Make sure that all the edges of the tablecloth are straight.

Measure your waistline and determine how large you will need it to be on your skirt so that you can make an elastic waist, with no zipper, and still pull the skirt on. From that measurement, determine how much to cut from the corner of your quarter-circle.

Here is the math to follow if you want to know how I arrived at a 5-inch waistline cut. I worked this out after the fact, and I hope it makes it easier for you!

Once you have that measurement, plot it in three places from the point of the corner of your quarter-circle: along each side and down the center.

Draw a curve to connect those points, and cut the waistline along that curve.

3. Add an elastic waistband

Cut elastic to the size you need for your waist. I chose a wide metallic elastic for a bit of extra drama. Sew the ends together so that you have a full-circle waistband.

With right sides together, pin the waistband to the waistline of the skirt, aligning the edges. Start by pinning the center-front and center-back points. Then stretch the elastic to pin the rest of the circle-skirt fabric evenly onto the waistband.

Sew the elastic waistband in place with a simple straight stitch or zigzag, stretching the fabric as you go to ensure it remains evenly distributed around the waistband.

Turn your circle-skirt right-side out, and see how cool that waistband looks!

How to make a skirt from a tablecloth

Here’s my gorgeous finished simple DIY circle skirt made from a thrift-store tablecloth. Check out the eyelet detail and the pretty scalloped hem that I got with no extra work!

Here's another DIY circle skirt that I made using the same technique.

Head to the thrift store to choose your own round tablecloth and start making circle skirts for yourself. Leave a comment to let me know how yours turned out.