Skirt Alterations
Improper fit and unsightly wrinkles detract from the appearance of a skirt. Most adjustments are simple and it’s amazing how much better the skirt will hang.
When deciding on the length of a skirt, keep in mind the best length for YOUR figure and what you’ll feel comfortable wearing. The current fashionable length may not be the best for you.
Protruding hips make wrinkles on the sides of the skirt front and the grain of the fabric becomes uneven (figure 1). To correct, raist the front hipline edge of the skirt slightly and ease the extra fullness along the upper hip part of the side seam.
Figure 1
Narrow buttocks cause wrinkles on the back of the skirt (figure 2). To adjust, deepen the center back waistline curve as shown below.
Figure 2
High buttocks cause the back of the skirt to be raised, making side seams slant and the back hemline protrudes (figure 3). To alter the skirt pattern, raise the center back waistline slightly and draw in the new curve. Also, make the second back dart a little wider and add to the hipline edges of the skirt to allow for the extra width of the dart.
Figure 3
Too much of a curve along the hipline causes wrinkles along the sides of the skirt (figure 4), so the hipline should be altered slightly as shown in the following diagram.
Figure 4
In addition, protruding abdomens make the front of the skirt pull up and the hem move forward. To allow for a large abdomen, raise the center front waistline of the skirt as necessary and add extra width along the hipline.
For additional pattern alterations, check out our book, Altering Patterns To Fit YOU. Your customers will be very thankful that you’ll be able to spot the problem areas in their patterns and garments, and will be grateful that you can do the adjusting for them.
This is really helpful! Thanks!