Help salvaging a circle skirt Sewing Machines Parts and Sales in Los Angeles

So I wanted to make a circle skirt out of 44″ fabric, but naturally the fabric was too narrow. I got the cool idea to make a 3/4 circle skirt… So I folded off 1/4 of my pattern and used that to cut the fabric. I failed to consider that I was also cutting the waist of the skirt 25% smaller than I need it.

Is there a good way to fix this? I’m working with a limited amount of plaid (of course), so the two possible solutions are questionable:
– I would add panels to make it a 4-panel full circle skirt, but I don’t think I have enough fabric to match the plaid.
– I would just cut the waist farther down on the fabric, but since it was also narrow I risk making the skirt to short to wear.

Ideas?