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A Waistband is the Perfect Finish for Your Skirt or Pant

Once you've designed your perfect skirt or pant, how to you finish it?

Most often, you'll use a waistband - a simple band of fabric that sits at the waist and allows your garment to "hang" and move freely. 

There are many other waist treatments you could use as part of your design, but if you need something simple that doesn't detract from the rest of the style, a simple waistband is perfect. 

A properly - fitted waistband encircles the waist, allowing the skirt or pant to hang and move freely. 

It's important, therefore, to ensure that the band fits properly. It should be snug enough that it doesn't allow the weight of the garment to pull it down, but allow enough ease for movement and comfort. 

In the illustration at right, the band sits with the waist seam is at the natural waist.  The actual band is about 1" high, and therefore sits above the waistline. 

sketch of woman wearing green skirt with waistband

Drafting the Waistband

sketch of waistband open and closed

The sketch above shows a skirt with a waistband, and a LEFT SIDE zipper opening. 

Of course, your opening could be at the center back or the front - the construction of the waistband really doesn't change. 

The waistband requires 1" more than your actual waist measurement for ease - this is fitting ease, which allows for movement and comfort. 

It also requires a 1" UNDERLAP, for a button or hook and bar closure. The underlap is the extension for the closure; the face side of the waistband should line up with the zipper placket.

This is illustrated in the sketch at left. 

The waistband isn't drafted from your pant or skirt block.  It requires a bit of math, and drawing it from the measurements you've calculated. 

I've shown the method for calculating and drafting a waistband for a 27" waist.  You can adjust from there, using your own actual waist measurement.

And remember, the measurements below do NOT include seam allowances!  Add whatever seam allowance you wish to use. 

sketch of how to calculate the measurements and draft a fitted waistband

That's really all there is to it!  

Set the straight waistband to the face side of your skirt or pant and stitch it in place.  Fold along the top edge and "stitch in the ditch" to secure the inside of the waistband. 

Add your button/buttonhole or hook and bar, and it's ready to wear!

More Waist Treatments

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