Flounce skirt pattern making

Last week I added a hem to a dress. It is called a flounce. Here's what I used to do it.

You'll need:

• Measuring Tape
• Yarn
• marker
• pen
• pins
• tape
• scissors
• pattern making paper (I use packing paper)
• fabric (I can't remember if I got 1/4 or 1/2, whatever it was, I had plenty)
  

You will probably need a quick Geometry Recap to do this on your own skirt.

Smart people might be able to look at the diagram/equations and know how to do it. For the rest of us, here are some step by step directions to follow. I put my measurements in parentheses.

1. Measure the circumference of the hem. -Lay the dress flat and measure the length of the hem from one side to the other. This is equal to 1/2 of the circumference of the skirt. (33"). Multiply it by 2 (66") to get the whole circumference.
2. divide the circumference by 3.14 or pi to get the diameter (21")
3. Divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius (10.5")
4. Make a string pen compass- Tape some yarn around a pen (Pictured below) and make a mark from the pen to the length of your radius. (10.5") Tie a knot.
5. Add the length of your flounce to the radius. I added 6" (16.5") and I think I could have added up to 9" if I wanted to. Also, don't forget that about 1-2" will be used as a seam allowance and hem.
6. Make a mark on your string pen at the new radius length. Tie a knot over the mark.
7. Flatten out your pattern making paper. If it is not long enough, just tape a few sheets together.
8. fold it in 1/2 and make a crease down the fold.
9. Hold the first knot of your string pen at the base of the fold and use the pen like a compass to make a semi-circle
10. Double check the length with a tape measure to make sure that it is the same all the way around. If it is not, make the correct length in about 8 different places around the semi-circle and go back around with your string pen making sure to hit those points.
11. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for the second knot in the string,
12. Lay your measuring tape to be parallel with the bottom of the paper and draw a line across it. This is your grain line. The pattern needs to be cut on the bias so it will lay correctly.
13. Cut your pattern out of the paper. It should look like this.
14. pin your pattern to your fabric making sure the grain lines match up with the directions the threads are going in the fabric.
15. cut out the fabric
16. sew the side seems
17. fold over the top edge about a 1/4" and press all around. (This will help make sure the fabric doesn't unravel in the wash.
18. Pin the fabric to the existing skirt and make any side seem alterations that might be necessary if it doesn't fit well.
19. Sew the flounce to the skirt
20. fold up the bottom edge if the fabric about a 1/4", press and fold over again, press and pin.
21. Sew the hem into place and you are done.

This is a picture my daughter took of the dress, you can sort of see the way the flounce ruffles. No that is not my real tummy (it's a pillow). And no, I'm not making any announcements.