Sponsors
Sponsors
I'm getting desperate... (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 4/25/05 2:04 PM ET
I've just finished a pair of pants and I feel like crying.. This is probably the fourth pair of pants I've made and all the pants fit me perfectly, except.....
Everytime I attach a wistband to the pants it comes out all streched out and bulky and ugly.
It is perfect on the paper and on my sewing desk, but as soon as I start attaching it, the waistband stretches for some reason.
I'm obviously doing something wrong, but I don't know what!
How can I achieve a RTW look?
Does anyone know any good websites with waistband techniques? Books don't really help since I can't get them here.
Thanks,
------
Everytime I attach a wistband to the pants it comes out all streched out and bulky and ugly.
It is perfect on the paper and on my sewing desk, but as soon as I start attaching it, the waistband stretches for some reason. I'm obviously doing something wrong, but I don't know what!
How can I achieve a RTW look?
Does anyone know any good websites with waistband techniques? Books don't really help since I can't get them here.
Thanks,
------
Maja
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
Posted on: 4/25/05 3:49 PM ET
Did you interface your waistband?
Posted on: 4/25/05 4:16 PM ET
Maja,
Can you post photos so we can see. Maybe its not as bad as you think it is. Like Ping said the first rule is to interface the waistband. Did you do it?
Also are you sewing one piece waistband or a curved waistband. Chances of stretching out a contour or curved waistband are more since they are on the bias and since fabric stretches on the bias its very likely to stretch out unless you interface and handle it gently.
Interfacing is a MUST! And interface RIGHT after you cut out your pattern pieces, even if you dont sew it right away. That way it wont stretch out.
Not sure if this helps,but it might point you in the right direction. Have faith.. its not that hard.
------
Can you post photos so we can see. Maybe its not as bad as you think it is. Like Ping said the first rule is to interface the waistband. Did you do it?
Also are you sewing one piece waistband or a curved waistband. Chances of stretching out a contour or curved waistband are more since they are on the bias and since fabric stretches on the bias its very likely to stretch out unless you interface and handle it gently.
Interfacing is a MUST! And interface RIGHT after you cut out your pattern pieces, even if you dont sew it right away. That way it wont stretch out.
Not sure if this helps,but it might point you in the right direction. Have faith.. its not that hard.
------
- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Founder, PatternReview.com
Posted on: 4/25/05 4:26 PM ET
You could use petersham ribbon to face the waist rather than apply a waistband.
------
------
JanieV
Posted on: 4/25/05 4:32 PM ET
Do you have to interface both, the inner and outer part of the waistband? Even if you're sewing light fabrics?
------
------
Maja
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
Posted on: 4/25/05 5:00 PM ET
Hi Maja you can test some interfacing on your fabric to check the stability of the interfacing and test if your fabric needs only the innerside interfaced or both.It depends on what interfacing you are using.
A informative article about waistband complete with pictures should help you, see
Straight-of-Grain Waistband Made Easy
------
A informative article about waistband complete with pictures should help you, see
Straight-of-Grain Waistband Made Easy
------
http://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 4/25/05 7:33 PM ET
Maja, do you staystitch the waist before attaching your band? Is there any possibility it's stretching there? I usually stitch twill tape or even lining selvage to the stitch line prior to attaching the band. I used to get terribly stretched out waists before doing so; lighter-weight fabrics were the worst. Good luck! :)
Posted on: 4/26/05 6:51 AM ET
That was my first thought too, did you staystitch the waistline of the pants...very very important.
Lightweight fabrics need interfacing the most, I would use it on both halves.
------
Lightweight fabrics need interfacing the most, I would use it on both halves.
------
Ardis
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
Posted on: 4/26/05 7:40 AM ET
Maja, when I use really lightweight fabrics I interface both sides but in most cases you can get away without interfacing both sides. But since you are getting it to look very good, I recommend interface both sides. Another trick is to use fusi knit interfacing, its very thin so if you use that and interface both sides, you will not feel that the waistband is stiff and since your fabric is woven it wont stretch anyway. Fusi knit is meant for knits actually.
Are you sewing a contour waistband?
------
Are you sewing a contour waistband?
------
- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Founder, PatternReview.com
Posted on: 4/26/05 8:37 AM ET
Deepika, yes, I'm sewing a contour waistband. I'm just cutting out a new waistband pieces and will interface both sides.
I'm having trouble understanding the term staystitching. All the definitions I got on the net don't make much sense to me. Can someone explain to me in simple terns, as you would to a child?
Could the topstitching I did have caused all the stretching?
------
I'm having trouble understanding the term staystitching. All the definitions I got on the net don't make much sense to me. Can someone explain to me in simple terns, as you would to a child?
Could the topstitching I did have caused all the stretching?
------
Maja
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
"Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns







![Stylearc Ethel Designer Pant Digital Pattern [18-30]](https://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/stylearc/ethelpants/ethelpants_t.jpg)