I have received tons of emails asking how to take in a skirt or dress. Well, I hope this answers some of those questions out there!
Supplies:
skirt
sewing machine or needle and thread
thread
scissors
flexible measuring tape
fabric pen or marking chalk
iron
pins
Instructions:
1. Turn the skirt inside out and slip it on. Measure and mark the how much you want to take in at the waist and down the rest of the skirt (make sure to mark it onto the skirt fabric, not the lining). Then sew along those markings JUST the length of the waistband at first. Make sure to STOP sewing where the lining begins.
***If there are pockets - be careful, if you are taking a lot in, then you may have to remove the pockets. But if you are taking only a little in like I am here, then you are totally fine.
***If there is a zipper on one of the sides, you may want to take it in through the back or take out the zipper and reinstall it or install it in the back.
2. Flip the lining up - you may have to cut anything that is securing lining to the skirt. You dont want to sew over the lining because the lining will make the inside of the skirt pretty by covering up the corrections and the excess fabrics loose ends.
3. Starting where the waistband and skirt meet on the actual skirt fabric, pin and sew downward following the markings you made. Make sure that how much the waistband has been taken in, matches how much the start of the skirt has been taken in so when flipped right side out, it looks flat and even. Like, if I took the waistband in an inch, I will make sure the beginning of the skirt part will be taken in an inch too just at the start. DONE.
Alternative ways:
If there is NO lining, then continue to sew all the way down both sides!
OR
If you don't care about how pretty it looks on the inside, then just mark and sew down both sides!
This vintage skirt was thrifted from a San Francisco Goodwill for 2 dollars baby!
You find the BEST stuff at thrift stores!!! I'm so jealous! And oh yeah, I MISS YOU!
ReplyDeleteThx for sharing, I was going to ask. :)
ReplyDeletei have a skirt that i got at a thrift store that looks SO similar to this but in pink and black. and i got it for 2 bucks too. AND i was planning on making it a pencil skirt. so many similarities haha. thanks for the tips!!!!!
ReplyDeletetooo cute! I love that color!
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt. The print is AMAZING. Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThere is a blogger party on April 16th? I am interested. What's the info? Drop me an email? (madelinepetersen@gmail.com)
Hi! I have just recently been introduced to your blog and wanted to say that you are super awesome and cute! I'm way inspired by all your alterations you do. One of my goals I am trying to work on right now is sewing more in the clothes-department. So I definitely will be coming here for tips! Thanks a lot and keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteIt was so good to see you last week! I was SO glad you posted this! I have about 3 skirts in my closet that I was going to attempt to alter - now I know how! Thank you!
ReplyDeletegreat skirt. Thanks for the tutorial. I have taken in a few pants this way and a good fit is priceless. An ill fit isn't worth much in the looks department.
ReplyDeletei just want this skirt. orange is so the new black.
ReplyDeleteYOURS, MINE AND OURS
Intersting and beautiful blog lovely presentation thanks for sharing your views.Made in the processor of your energy and effort for a celebration last few days, using my tried & trued Burda 8155. Second time using a covered back vent out and am completely passionate to them. And to this happy shade pairing of blue-green fleece coat and violet coating.I determined to sew this outfit monthly and 50 % ago after purchasing natural rayon clothing at Jo Ann’s. pencil skirt You could not go incorrect here: the clothing was available.The design is based on the common pad outfit. I used the outfit from the wear McCall’s design M5972. First, I followed the unique design to the magazine, then noticeable the yoke, cut the newspaper and shut darts. Ready!My greatest error was that I created yoke too long. Although it installed me very well the prejudice check design created me look expecting. To fix it I had to decrease it by 5 cm (2 inches). I had to cut off the extra clothing since I did not had enough to just simply to make a new part. Thus my outfit came out reduced than I initially designed.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm new to your blog & am really enjoying it, I do a lot of refashioning myself, and it's fantastic to have some new & fresh ideas. Just to be clear--you don't take the lining in at all?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
sorry, that comment above was me, I was just accidentally signed in under my Husband's account!
ReplyDeletehi! I am pegging a satin pencil skirt but not sure how to work with the bottom hem as when it folds it not right! Do I need to unpick or???
ReplyDeleteMany thanks
Thank you, this is great! I am so excited to have found your site!
ReplyDeleteQuick question, though: Am I reading correctly that made no alteration to the lining at all? I am altering a skirt that needs about 2 inches off each side and so I don;t think I can leave the lining as is (without looking like I am wearing some crazy granny pants underneath!) Have you ever altered the lining, too?
This skirt is totally channeling J Crew
ReplyDeleteThis skirt is totally channeling J Crew
ReplyDeleteHow would you take it in on the back? Mine has a side zipper, or could I just cheat and take it on on one side? Haha
ReplyDelete