How to alter back waist length

2 replies [Last post]
Mon, 11/16/2015 - 22:38
mariac
User offline. Last seen 2 years 11 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 02/13/2013
Posts: 1

Altering ready made clothes is my problem.  They are always too long and fall below my waistline.  I would like instructions on how to fix this problem.

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Thu, 05/05/2022 - 06:21
#1
enaya0
User offline. Last seen 2 years 27 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 05/01/2022
Posts: 2
 I alter my pattern for a

 I alter my pattern for a swayback by just pinching out those unwanted folds and thereby shortening the center-back, without changing the side seams or front. 

Put on your toile and carefully pinch out the horizontal folds that occur across the small of your back, and that's it..
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Mon, 11/23/2015 - 16:48
#2
Nehzat
User offline. Last seen 38 weeks 3 days ago. Offline
Instructor
Joined: 10/27/2007
Posts: 1026
Re: How to alter waist length

Dear mariac,

You can wear one of the dresses you want to adjust the waistline for. Then tie a narrow ribbon around your waist. This will be your new waistline for the dress.
 
Then Using a tailors chalk, draw lines below the ribbon at the side seams, and where the waist darts cross the waistline on the front and back of the dress. Also do this for the center back if you have a seam or zipper there.

Now remove the ribbon. Then pinch and pin the excess fabric where ever you drew the chalk lines. Making sure to take in the same amount from either side of the dress. You need to gradualy tapper the intake as you go up and down from the waistline.

It is possible that the existing waistline of the dress, which falls below your own waistline could be snug. If this is the case, you need to let out the intake in that area.

 

To get a better idea of how to continue the alteration after the fitting and get a symmetrical result, you can watch the first fitting and consequent chapters in the below video lessons:

Happy sewing,

Nehzat

 

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