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How can you tell if your waist is too long/short?
ladyithis Intermediate WA USA Member since 6/5/08 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/13 12:39 PM I've recently discovered that back waist length is important. Previously, I've only cared about how a dress/skirt fits with my waist and pear-shaped hips. So I've started a new dress (the Louisa Drop-Waist dress from Burda) and looked into what vertical adjustments I'll need to make to my pattern. My husband measured my back waist length to be 15 3/4", the pattern calls for 16 1/6" back waist length for the size I'm using. A little less than 1/2" difference, but still enough to make me paranoid. So I threw on the old muslin to make sure there wasn't a huge difference from where my natural waist is (which is pretty high) and the pattern's waist. I compared the marks I made on the muslin to the pattern and they matched. So is that good? Am I being more paranoid about fit than I should be? My second muslin fit perfectly, but I'm still unsure of what to look for in the event that the waist length is too long.
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6111	Login to reply to this post In reply to ladyithis << Like this post Date: 1/8/13 1:35 PM The proof of the pudding (or the garment) is in the fit. Since your second muslin fit you perfectly, you're all set. If as you said your waist is "high," you'll need to consider this whenever you sew a new pattern that includes a bodice. It's always a good idea to sew a muslin as you've done. If the waist hits you in the wrong spot, you'll need to adjust your pattern. If the waist falls in the right spot, just sew the pattern as is. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
ladyithis Intermediate WA USA Member since 6/5/08 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/13 2:45 PM Thanks Nancy, I'm all for checking my measurements against the pattern now, I just wasn't sure if I was missing something in the fit of the second muslin that would require me to adjust the length of the waist on the bodice by less than 1/2"
clothingengineer   Intermediate CT USA Member since 5/7/10 Posts: 362	Login to reply to this post In reply to ladyithis << Like this post Date: 1/8/13 2:52 PM I have a 16.5" back waist measurement, and according to most patterns I shouldn't have to adjust. For the longest time I didn't, and then would wonder why the waist shaping always seemed off and why the darts needed to be extended so often. Turns out that when I actually measured the pattern, most of them were 16" long at the most. Many of them were 15.5" or even 14.5". I have no idea why patterns often set the waist marking line 0.5-1" below the narrowest part - shouldn't it be AT the narrowest part? Anyway, ever since I started adjusting for my actual back waist length I haven't had issues with stuff being too baggy in the back. As long as your muslin fits you shouldn't worry. Mostly you want to make sure any waistline details are where you want them to be. ------ -- Anne http://clothingengineer.com
SVN   Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 4/20/09 Posts: 405	Login to reply to this post In reply to clothingengineer << Like this post Date: 1/8/13 3:05 PM Remember to check the neckline before measuring the pattern. If the neckline at the back is at all scooped, then the measurement will be off.
Sherril Miller   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7473	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 1/8/13 4:57 PM Your title to this thread cracked me up. Your waist can't be too long or short. The pattern or garment's waist can be, though. Why do we always blame ourselves when it's the pattern's fault, not ours. Unless, of course, we don't do the alterations to fit our body measurements. Then it is our fault. Sounds like you are getting some great advice. ------ Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well; and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2469	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/13 5:19 PM Sherril, I had EXACTLY the same thought! "YOUR waist is PERFECT right where it is." But I think by "your waist" the OP meant "the muslin you've just sewn." She didn't seem to be bemoaning her (perfect-just-the-way-it-is) body at all. :) (And the question was a useful one!) -- Edited on 1/8/13 5:21 PM -- ------ ~Gem in the prairie
ladyithis Intermediate WA USA Member since 6/5/08 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/8/13 5:51 PM Hah! Yeah, that is a funny way that I worded the topic :P Got you attention though :P Sherril, you're right on the money, I didn't want to be at fault for not altering my patterns properly, even though the muslin fit just fine.
SandiMacD   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2/8/09 Posts: 1046	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/10/13 7:18 AM So many confusing waist areas- mine vs the pattern, natural vs narrowest. I used to think it was at my naval as a kid. The military always measured our waist at 2 inches above the naval to determine if we we carried too much fat. The older I got the higher my sewing waist became (the most narrrow) which puts me at a high waist now and long waist to hip. Used to be I was low waisted and had a long torso. Now i am just a rectangle! And then there is what the pattern chart claims and what the actual pattern measures. It is no wonder some of us get confused! -- Edited on 1/10/13 7:20 AM -- ------ re-living my youth through sewing...

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