Abstract
A flared skirt may have various curving lines at the hem depending upon drawings, grain directions, figures, and materials. The changes in flares were tested by making, wearing various flared skirts and tracing each curving hemline.
To make a paper basic pattern for a flared skirt, a concentric circle is drawn based on the waist measurement and the length of the skirt. A fan-shaped pattern with the waist line up and the hemline down is cut out, and may be splashed and spread to add flares.
In cutting the vertical direction of the skirt pattern is placed on the lengthwise grain of the fabric, with the center front on a lengthwise fold. The “bias cut” (at an angle of 45 deg.), with the center front and back seamlines to keep the hemline even, makes flared skirts drape more softly.
As for figures the best effect in drapes will be gained when every point of the hip line is equally distant from every opposite point of the waist line (in cross-sectional view).
Softer materials will give more flickering effects. Hard ones will provide stiffer drapes.
