Thread: tightening the hips of an egyptian skirt

sooo i have a problem when i wear 2 piece egyptian costumes...no matter how much elastic i put in the waist of the skirt, i still find the skirt riding down while performing. i have narrow hips and i'm sure thats part of the problem, but is there anything else i can do to adjust the skirt to stay put on my hips? thankss

How about wearing a pair of boy shorts underneath and either pinning or sewing the skirt to the shorts?

I think the problem is not how much elastic but how tight it is.

I use 2 inch wide elastic and case it in really well. This way it has more to grip (love handles) and it also helps to flatten them out without giving me muffin top.

I usually take the elastic and wrap it around where I want it to sit and then tighten it until it feels snug without pinching then I cut.

Originally Posted by shahla

How about wearing a pair of boy shorts underneath and either pinning or sewing the skirt to the shorts?

i forgot to mention i have a pair of boy shorts underneath already lol

Originally Posted by anyadance

I think the problem is not how much elastic but how tight it is.

I use 2 inch wide elastic and case it in really well. This way it has more to grip (love handles) and it also helps to flatten them out without giving me muffin top.

I usually take the elastic and wrap it around where I want it to sit and then tighten it until it feels snug without pinching then I cut.

hmm maybe i should try that. i have one inch wide elastic in some parts and then the manufacturers skinny elastic already in and i tightened all of the elastics and it holds if i stand still but when i shimmy too much, the skirt starts sliding down lol. thanks for the tip! i'm going to try the wider elastic and see how that works :)

Try putting a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a thread casing in the waistband and then fasten it after you put it on. Since it does not stretch, you can set it as tight as you need to.

damiena: i've never heard of grosgrain ribbon. is it easy to find at a fabric store?

Originally Posted by shaabichic

hmm maybe i should try that. i have one inch wide elastic in some parts and then the manufacturers skinny elastic already in and i tightened all of the elastics and it holds if i stand still but when i shimmy too much, the skirt starts sliding down lol. thanks for the tip! i'm going to try the wider elastic and see how that works :)

the 2 inch makes huge difference, especially if it's just a bit snug...it doesn't go anywhere.

usually the elastic that's used isn't strong enough to hold up a heavy beaded skirt.

Originally Posted by damiena

Try putting a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a thread casing in the waistband and then fasten it after you put it on. Since it does not stretch, you can set it as tight as you need to.

I do this and it works great.

Originally Posted by shaabichic

damiena: i've never heard of grosgrain ribbon. is it easy to find at a fabric store?

Yes, you can find it at a fabric store.

Originally Posted by damiena

Try putting a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a thread casing in the waistband and then fasten it after you put it on. Since it does not stretch, you can set it as tight as you need to.

Wow that will do the trick for the costume in my avatar. I never thought of that. Thanks for the tip. I did adjust the elastic already.

Alrana

Originally Posted by damiena

Try putting a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a thread casing in the waistband and then fasten it after you put it on. Since it does not stretch, you can set it as tight as you need to.

Damiena, you are brilliant! I have a two piece costume that won't stay up and this willl work perfect!

thanks everyone. i tried the 2inch elastic and it worked! :) my costume stayed up during my whole set. yay

Non-roll elastic is also essential! It has ribbing that runs across the elastic (short side) to keep it from rolling and twisting. You do get what you pay for so go for the good stuff (not the dollar store brand).

I sandwiched 2 inch elastic between the skirt and boy shorts and tacked thru all 3 layers about 15 places around the skirt where the beading hid the stitch. This skirt is really heavily beaded with a flared skirt that has lots of fabric...and as we all know...I have noassatall. This skirt is not going anywhere anytime soon!

Gros grain works good. I also like to use maternity elastic and one button inside the casing: that way I can adjust on the fly.

Originally Posted by damiena

Try putting a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a thread casing in the waistband and then fasten it after you put it on. Since it does not stretch, you can set it as tight as you need to.

So do you then sew hooks onto the grosgrain ribbon, or use a pin?

Giving this thread a boost because I need to do this before Friday if possible so that I can wear my Volcano Sim, which I was saving for my New Year's Eve gig that got canceled.

Anala, Damiena, other seamstresses, help out a sewing klutz! I sewed in the grosgrain ribbon and made the skirt TOO tight, so I ripped that out and I am starting over. Now I think it's barely tight enough. I don't want to take chances with a heavy skirt.

Anala's "sandwich" method sounds good and if the ribbon doesn't work out I will have to go hunting for a pair of boy shorts.

Get a custom made Bella. Her skirts never fall down ..g.:..g.:..g.:..g.:..g.:

I've always had the same problem with lycra skirts, especially Emans. No matter how much elastic I add, plumber's crack is inevitable. How embarrassing!

I've heard of some dancers using that rubberized elastic (like the kind on lingerie and thigh-high stockings) around the waist of skirts with success. Maybe this might work for you?

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Get a custom made Bella. Her skirts never fall down ..g.:..g.:..g.:..g.:..g.:

I've always had the same problem with lycra skirts, especially Emans. No matter how much elastic I add, plumber's crack is inevitable. How embarrassing!

I've heard of some dancers using that rubberized elastic (like the kind on lingerie and thigh-high stockings) around the waist of skirts with success. Maybe this might work for you?

I plan to add the textured rubber stuff after the grosgrain ribbon, plus padding my tush to help prevent slippage.

I suppose I could get some sparkly suspenders, ..l;,

Body tape has worked for me. A few pieces on the elastic and directly attached to my skin.

Update: the second try with the grosgrain ribbon seems to be working well. Since the skirt has a zipper, I just made the ribbon the length I wanted and then sewed it down on either side of the zipper, so I didn't have to worry about adding hooks or pins to the ribbon itself. I want back-up insurance, though! I've learned that when adrenalin takes hold on stage, I dance harder than I do when I practice in the costume ahead of time!

Originally Posted by dunyah

Update: the second try with the grosgrain ribbon seems to be working well. Since the skirt has a zipper, I just made the ribbon the length I wanted and then sewed it down on either side of the zipper, so I didn't have to worry about adding hooks or pins to the ribbon itself. I want back-up insurance, though! I've learned that when adrenalin takes hold on stage, I dance harder than I do when I practice in the costume ahead of time!

me too lol. i always practice beforehand to see how it holds up. so i'll choo choo shimmy like a monster and jump up and down, etc etc to see how it stays up. that works for me :)..l;,