This modification works with this skirt style because the waist seam is designed to sit below the waist and the pattern piece is slightly gathered to fit the waistband. If you try this with a different pattern, check that the casing piece you plan will fit over your hips.
1. Design a casing. Don't cut the yoke pieces for Simplicity SewStylish 1542. To create a casing pattern, first measure along the waist seamline on the skirt front and back.
2. The sample shown here is based on 2-inch-wide elastic. The fabric casing is as long as the waist seamline and 5-3⁄4 inches wide. How did we figure out the width? It must be twice the elastic width (4-inches) plus two seam allowances (1-1/4-inches) plus a little ease (1/2-inch). Cut out the casing piece.
3. Stitch the casing to the skirt. First, sew the side seams and sew the casing pieces together along the short ends. Press all seam allowances open, then fold under the casing's seam allowance along one raw edge. Align the unfolded edge with the skirt's waist edge, and sew the casing piece to the skirt. Press the seam allowances toward the casing.
4. Then, fold the casing close to its lengthwise center. The folded edge should extend just over the waistline seam. Pin or baste in place. Stitch in the ditch from the skirt's right side, leaving a 2-inch opening unsewn.
5. Cut 2-inch-wide elastic 1-inch shorter than your waist circumference. Work it thorugh the casing. Abut the elastic's ends, wrap with a muslin or quilting cotton strip, and stitch through the strip and the elastic to join the elastic. Hand-slipstitch the waistband opening closed.
Voila! You'll have a comfy, easy, skirt with a stretch waistband. Do you prefer an elastic or a fitted waist on your garments? What's another easy garment construction conversion you'd like to try?
No comments:
Post a Comment