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Member since 1/2/10
Posts: 232
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Posted on: 5/20/10 11:08 PM ET
I have a black gingham skirt that was my grandmas. I don't know exactly how old it was, but I don't remember ever seeing her in a skirt and I'm 31, so it's older than that. By the style, I'd guess 50's or 60's, but I really can't be sure. Anyway, it's a very full, pleated skirt and it's probably about 6 or so sizes too big for me. I'd really like to keep it as true to the original as possible but I'm not sure the best way to go about it. With the pleats, how much more fabric should I have than my waist measurement to make it work out? Is there a good way to alter the waistband down to my size?

Thanks!
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7941
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Posted on: 5/21/10 7:50 AM ET
In reply to Dustykins
What you are talking about having ''much more fabric'' is known as ease. Usually on a waistband there is about one inch ease. This allows you to sit down comfortably, as well as move around. If you want to tuck a blouse in, you might want a little more ease.

If this were my skirt, this is what I would do. I'd machine baste the pleats, about 1" down from the waistband. This is to hold them in place while the waistband is being adjusted. Then I'd remove the waistband and cut it down to about 2 inches more than my waist (I like to tuck my blouses in on a nice skirt, and a pleated one would look funny with a blouse hanging over it). Then I'd resew the waistband to the skirt. This is, of course, if you don't have any hip fluff or your high hip doesn't get in the way. If it does and the pleats look funny, you might have to readjust the pleats as well.
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Member since 1/2/10
Posts: 232
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Posted on: 5/21/10 9:15 AM ET
Thanks. I think, maybe, I wasn't clear. I'm pretty sure I need to remove some fabric from the skirt. I could almost fit two of me in it. I know I'm going to need to re-do the pleats, so I'm trying to figure out how much fabric to leave in the skirt when it's flat so I can make new pleats. (without having the skirt in front of me, I want to say they're 2" pleats).
  
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