This is a simple tutorial for those dancers who need a simple full-circle Jig skirt but don't feel like having to buy patterns. This works for all ages and sizes!!

For all patterns:
* Add seam allowance after drawing your pattern. This is not included in the maths. 15 mm is normal.
* For plus-size dancers, add 2-5 cm of length to the back. Because these dancers usually have a bit of a booty, you'll need to compensate for the difference in 'curves' between the front and the back of the body. Average size adults can often use 1-3 extra centimetres in the back too. Children and slim teens don't need this.
* You can put elastic in the waist, in which case I'd advice to use the hip measurement as the waist or the dancer won't be able to get into the skirt. The elastic will be the waist measurement.
* If you use a waistband and zipper (neater, but more fiddly), you can use the waist measurement.
* Of course you can use a combination of waist band and elastic to allow for a little flexibility combined with a sleek finish. In that case, take the waist measurement for the skirt to be half-way between the waist and the hips.

What do you need?
* Dancer (just kidding . Just take her measurements.)
* Measuring tape in either inches or centimetres.
* Pattern paper. Preferably with squares, but blank paper will work too.
* Calculator (cell phone will do nicely in a pinch).
* Pen or pencil, scissors.

* Fabric (any supple non-stretch fabric is good), 20 cm zipper and snap OR elastic band (depending on what you choose, see above)
* Sewing machine

RIGHT, HERE WE GO!

FULL-CIRCLE SKIRT
(The drawing is for this pattern)

1. Measure waist of dancer, and required skirt length. (example: waist 72 cm, skirt length 46 cm -- you can also do this in inches, it won't make any difference. It's just that I'm used to the metric system.)
2. Divide waist measurement by 6. (example: 72:6=12 cm)
3. Draw a line on the pattern paper, which is skirt length + measurement you got in step 2 (example: 46+12=58 cm).
4. Draw a 90 degree angle off one end of the line, and draw another line of the same length (example: again 58 cm).
5. Connect the two lines to make a 1/4 circle. I usually draw about 8 more lines from the 90 degree corner so I can easily sketch the 1/4 circle.
6. Measure the amount of step 2 (here 12 cm) from the corner and draw another, smaller 1/4 circle.
7. Add seam allowances to both curved lines. Small circle is waist line, big circle is lower edge.
8. Cut out 1/4 circle. Cut out the small 1/4 circle too.
9. You now have 1/4 of a full circle skirt. My advice is to draw another 1/4 skirt and tape it to the original pattern piece so you have a 1/2 circle.
10. Place the 1/2 circle pattern on the fold of the fabric and cut out. You now have a full-circle skirt.
11. For ELASTIC WAIST: fold over waist to make a little tunnel. Thread through the elastic. Hem the bottom of the skirt.
12. For WAIST BAND: Cut strip of fabric of waist length + 5 cm. Cutting it on the bias will give a bit of stretch, but this is not totally necessary. Cut 20 cm slit down from waist seam for zipper. Stitch waist band to the waist line (extra 5 cm will give overlap to attach the snap). Put in zipper. Hem bottom of the skirt.