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how to reposition waistband when have hight front waist owing to posture (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 1/20/21 10:39 AM ET
I've just fitted a straight skirt (all praise to Sarah Veblen's book) and although the fit is good I hate the way the skirt looks on me. Specifically, the CF waist is very high, like up on my ribcage, and drops to my natural waist in the back. This accentuates the small put prominant high tummy bulge on my otherwise small-framed figure. My posterior-tilted pelvis plus my little "menopot" belly is making this happen.
Any suggestions for pattern alterations that will put the front waist straight and still keep the skirt in balance with my posture? Can I just cut off the excess across the front and re-shape the waist? Would elastic make this possible? Thanks for any help!
Any suggestions for pattern alterations that will put the front waist straight and still keep the skirt in balance with my posture? Can I just cut off the excess across the front and re-shape the waist? Would elastic make this possible? Thanks for any help!
Posted on: 1/20/21 12:51 PM ET
Create a contoured waistband? might make it worse. I would try reshaping the front as you are thinking. Is your hem parallel to the floor all the way around?
Posted on: 1/20/21 12:56 PM ET
Yes, completely level. The CF waist is about 3 inches higher than CB waist because of my posture plus flab.
Posted on: 1/20/21 1:05 PM ET
In reply to Fern 123
Make a loop of elastic a bit smaller than your waist, put it on over the skirt, and see exactly how much you need to add/remove. You can then either make a straight waistband (if your body is more straight up and down in this area) to match, or make a contour waistband (if your body is more curved than straight up and down in this area) to match, or the easiest, a facing to match.
I lost my contour waistband (pattern professionally fitted, I was in a panic!) pattern piece and the ladies here helped me to make a new one. There is a thread somewhere...it was this past year. I'll try to find it if you think it would be helpful...later today, though.
Disclaimer: I am a newbie to fitting so others may correct the above.
Please. I am learning.
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I lost my contour waistband (pattern professionally fitted, I was in a panic!) pattern piece and the ladies here helped me to make a new one. There is a thread somewhere...it was this past year. I'll try to find it if you think it would be helpful...later today, though.
Disclaimer: I am a newbie to fitting so others may correct the above.
Please. I am learning.------
Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Posted on: 1/21/21 1:35 AM ET
In reply to Fern 123
A photo would help, but no, don't cut it off at the waist. My suggestion for a pattern alteration is to shorten the front rise. My front waist is lower than my back waist so I do this all the time. I also have a tummy but this is an alteration I've always had to make no matter my weight.
To shorten the front rise use the lengthen/shorten line or draw your own horizontal line on your tracing. I use the tummy area, others may do it differently. Cut on the line from CF to but not through the SS. Leave a little pivot point at the SS. Overlap downward the amount you want your CF lowered. Tape it in place.
This way you have not changed your waist circumference on the pattern so should be able to use the waist band that came with the pattern. But 3" is quite a lot! If you don't like the back waist clear up to your waist you could also shorten the back rise a bit and that way there wouldn't be so much difference between front and back. Again, a photo would really help if you can post one.

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To shorten the front rise use the lengthen/shorten line or draw your own horizontal line on your tracing. I use the tummy area, others may do it differently. Cut on the line from CF to but not through the SS. Leave a little pivot point at the SS. Overlap downward the amount you want your CF lowered. Tape it in place.
This way you have not changed your waist circumference on the pattern so should be able to use the waist band that came with the pattern. But 3" is quite a lot! If you don't like the back waist clear up to your waist you could also shorten the back rise a bit and that way there wouldn't be so much difference between front and back. Again, a photo would really help if you can post one.

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Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
Posted on: 1/21/21 7:05 AM ET
In reply to SewLibra
Thank you! Disaster averted! 
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Posted on: 1/21/21 8:18 AM ET
I know this is likely a stupid answer, but personally stopped tucking in tops years ago due to age and the inevitable fat belly even thin folks get. Unless you plan to tuck your tops, does it really matter, if the skirt is comfortable, then wear a top to cover and camouflage the waistline?
Posted on: 1/21/21 8:58 AM ET
Thanks, Bonnybee, I guess that's the best answer. At least the skirt now hangs correctly now and everything but the waistline looks lots better.
I'll keep noodling around with this and if I come up with a way to keep a waistband where I want it and not where my body wants it, I'll post about that. Not holding my breath, though! :)
I'll keep noodling around with this and if I come up with a way to keep a waistband where I want it and not where my body wants it, I'll post about that. Not holding my breath, though! :)
Posted on: 1/21/21 9:42 AM ET
I stopped tucking tops as well, but I also started shortening the tops which helps a lot. There’s a magic spot that is the most flattering and it’s not where the pattern says it should be. At least not for me. The exception would be tunics.
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
Posted on: 1/21/21 11:02 AM ET
In reply to blueviola
Ah HA !!
I had a little voice in the back of my head that kept telling me this--thanks for the affirmation!
Quote:
There’s a magic spot that is the most flattering and it’s not where the pattern says it should be.
There’s a magic spot that is the most flattering and it’s not where the pattern says it should be.
I had a little voice in the back of my head that kept telling me this--thanks for the affirmation!
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