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Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt

What you need

  1. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt, Waistband: step 1, image 1 of 2 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt, Waistband: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Try on the skirt to see how big it is.

    • Gather the excess fabric at one of the side seams.

  2. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 2, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 2, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Use a measuring tape to measure the excess fabric.

    • With straight pins, mark the length of your measurement on either side of the side seam.

  3. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 3, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 3, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Use a seam ripper to separate the waistband from the lining in the area between your straight pins. You should also remove the seam an inch past the pins on either side.

    • If you've never used a seam ripper before, read this guide.

    • Red arrows indicate the length of the measurement. Orange arrows indicate the length of seam ripped.

  4. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 4, image 1 of 2 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Use your seam ripper to separate the waistband from the skirt.

    • As before, stop approximately one inch past your straight pins.

  5. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 5, image 1 of 2 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the stitches from the top of the waistband, about one inch past your measurement on either side.

  6. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 6, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 6, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Flip the outer waistband inside out.

    • Pinch the waistband at the side seam with the right sides of the fabric facing together.

  7. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 7, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 7, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • On the waistband, use a straight pin to mark the length of your original measurement from the side seam.

    • Sew across the waistband at the location you pinned.

    • Make sure to remove the pin before sewing and back stitch at the beginning and end so the stitches don't unravel.

    • Trim the excess fabric with fabric scissors or a rotary cutter.

  8. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Repeat steps 6 and 7 on the inner waistband.

    • Make sure the two waistbands are the same length before you sew the inner one shorter.

  9. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 9, image 1 of 2 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Press the seam allowance on the new side seam flat and fold the top and bottom down.

    • Align the top edges of the inner and outer waistbands with the wrong sides facing together. Use straight pins to hold the fabric in place.

    • Stitch across the top of the waistband, right next to the edge. Make sure to begin where the original stitching ends to avoid leaving holes in the waistband.

  10. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 10, image 1 of 2 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Turn the skirt inside out.

    • Pin the pleats of the skirt to the waistband so the skirt and the waistband are the same length.

    • Try to follow the location of the original pleats, but make them deeper to account for the excess fabric.

    • Stitch the skirt and waistband together.

  11. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 11, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 11, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Mark where the new side seam on the waistband matches up with the side seam of the lining.

    • Stitch from that point to the seam line on the lining, forming a slight curve.

    • Trim the excess fabric.

  12. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 12, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 12, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • With right sides together, match the side seam of the lining to the side seam of the waistband and secure with straight pins.

    • Stitch the lining to the inner waistband.

    • Turn the skirt right side out.

    • Top stitch along the bottom edge of the outer waistband to secure it to the inner waistband.

    • Make sure the seam allowance between the lining and the inner waistband is on the waistband side of the seam so the top stitching will secure it.

  13. Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 13, image 1 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 13, image 2 of 3 Taking in the Waistband of a Skirt: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Stitch both waistbands together, following the side seam from the outside.

Conclusion

Your skirt is now finished! Wear it with pride.

One other person completed this guide.

Sky Carlos

Member since: 04/28/2017

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1 Guide authored

Team

UC Davis, Team S3-G6, Coad Spring 2017 Member of UC Davis, Team S3-G6, Coad Spring 2017

UCD-COAD-S17S3G6

3 Members

2 Guides authored

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