bias cut

[crisgal]

I can recognise a skirt that has "been cut on the bias" but what does it actually mean?

[Metz]

You cut diagonally across the grain of the fabric :o)

[womandriver!]

Each pattern panel for the skirt is laid onto the fabric at 45 degrees so that when you wear the skirt it hangs more softly and 'drapes' around your body.

Other types of skirts are made by putting the pattern onto the fabric with the woven threads running straight up and down and straight across, the fabric is less 'flowy'