Waists & Waistbands

Create the silhouette you want with a fitting and flattering waist! The silhouette of a garment is often defined by the waistline. Whether it's a dress with a fitted top and body-skimming bottom or a pair of pants that sit at the natural waist and lie flat over the hips, your clothes should fit and flatter your figure. A well-made waistband is the key to a great-fitting and comfortable garment. Whether you are looking for a casual drawstring, a comfortable elastic band, or a tailored seam, this book will teach home seamstresses how to create waistbands to suit a variety of garments and styles. Here are easy-to-understand instructions for anyone seeking to construct or change the waistband of any garment. Here you will find the in-depth information you need for a waist or waistband that is fitting, comfortable, and flattering. The clear, simple instructions will help you reduce mistakes and construct garments successfully the first time. Whether you are working with skirts, pants, jackets, or dresses, this waist-sewing handbook will give you the secrets to refine and master your skills and create successful garments. Brighten up your wardrobe on a budget by learning how to add waistbands that fit, lie flat, and look professional. You will be able to set yourself free from ill-fitting clothes with trade secrets on how to alter and adjust existing waistbands to fit your body comfortably. Also, you will take the guesswork out of your commercial patterns with tricks to ensure stylish and appealing garments every time you sew. Expressing your creative ideas will be easier after learning how to mix and match existing elements in commercial sewing patterns. Refresh your pre-existing knowledge or build a solid foundation with straightforward instructions for common stitch patterns found in typical waistbands, such as elastic, drawstring, and peplum waistbands. Also, be confident you can craft strong and attractive buttonholes for different types of waistbands. Sew skirts with a waistband that lies flat, fits your body, and is comfortable. Included are instructions on how to create and use the drawstring, elastic, zippers, and more. Learn what makes pant waistbands special and learn how to sew men's zippers, women's fly-front zippers, and trouser waistbands. Put into practice the little things that will make sure your dress waistbands join smoothly and hang straight for a pleasing silhouette. Understand how to create a comfortable and flattering fit for outdoor gear, sweatshirts, and other special tops. Confidently fix a waistband on almost any garment with step-by-step instructions, and avoid common mistakes. Get the best techniques for how to draft a waistband from a store-bought pattern or your original creation. Understand the proper and visually appealing ways to choose, place, size, and sew buttonholes and zippers. This will extend the life and durability of your garments. Chapters include: Waistbands for pants and skirts, Dress waists, Waistbands for jackets, Fitting new and existing garments, Adjust patterns, Buttons and buttonholes, and Basic stitches. This guide to sewing waistbands has the detailed instructions essential for making a waistband or waist successfully. It also provides well-drawn illustrations and descriptions of common problems with existing garments and sewing commercial patterns.