It always makes me chuckle when I’m called a “skinny b*tch” by online trolls as one of the reasons I taught myself how to sew on an inherited machine and began refashioning was because absolutely nothing off-the-rack ever fit me properly. Tops that fit in the sleeves are always too tight in the chest, dresses that are fine on the bottom won’t fasten across the back, pants that are passable in the leg are absolutely insane in the rear and waistbands are a horror show unto themselves:
When I scored that skirt years ago in London it was too tight but could be zipped worn higher on my waist + some tummy-sucking-in. It’s since moved to 3 different countries with me and unfortunately years later, no amount of straining could get that zip even halfway closed! Fortunately my refashionista upsizing projects have made me loads less fearful about chopping up gear I’ve had for years!
Here’s how to easily upsize a skirt waistband:
Grab that too tight skirt + a t-shirt that’s the same-ish width of your waist.
Seriously, how awesome is that print?
Remove the zipper then stitch the opening closed.
Chop off the waistband and lining.
Cut the skirt to your desired length – chop from the top to keep the original hem.
Grab the t-shirt and cut it in half below the underarm seams.
Fold the bottom part back over itself to create a wide band.
Stitch the open edges together.
Hem the raw edge of the skirt.
Place the waistband inside the skirt with right sides facing and pin together (you may have to gather the skirt to fit the width of the waistband depending on how wide it is).
Stitch together, flip right side out and enjoy your comfy-fitting skirt!
Check out that fabulously comfortable yoga waistband!
Yay! I can wear my fab skirt again!
Take a peek at all of my upsizing tutorials here and remember that everyone is battling their own body image & clothing issues before you allow those resentful feelings and envious thoughts to take over and have you send a cruel comment to someone you see online. I struggled with bulimia for years and, like every other woman on the planet, continue to scuffle with my body image. The importance of providing my daughter with a confident, positive mommy as an example for her own body image definitely helps to pummel those negative thoughts when they appear.
Grab my oldie but goodie, super simple DIY circle skirt tute too:
Discover all of my upcycled fashion tutorials here then check out my E-courses right over here:
and transform your entire wardrobe for pennies with my groovy CoaR tutorial E-book collections right here:
I never quite understand the haters. Anyway, I LOVE your expressions in this post. They make it all the more fun. And your new skirt is amazing! I have my days filled with too many other crafts to try to venture into sewing, but this is a great post and I wanted to thank you for sharing!
Trolls make fab comments like yours extra special 😉 Check out my no sew refashions for quick & easy wardrobe DIYs: https://awesomesauceasshattery.com/category/tutorials/no-sew-refashions/
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing 😊. As for trolls, like you said in your other post, they are just sad and insecure or just cruel! Don’t let them influence you one bit!
You’re welcome Anna 😀 Cheers for the virtual support against the grossness of trolls 😉
You are adorable and I love your skirt fix. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers my dear 😀
I love the print AND the trick, can’t wait to try it! Oh and by the way, you look amazing but as I see it it has so much more to do with your smile and energy than your waist size! I had a similar experience with people around me “why don’t you try jogging instead of sewing?”. i don’t really know what jogging could do to improve my huge “nothing would ever fit on my chest!” problem but whatever.. plus it’s so rewarding to have your own style and to “keep” things instead of throwing.. Please keep going just the way you are!
😀 Jogging (or any bouncy exercise) with a generous chest is definitely a horror show I can relate to! Walking everywhere, being active with my kiddo and yoga are more than enough to keep me fit, healthy & energized 😉