Thread: partly elasticized waistband

I have a 5-panel circle skirt & I want to add a waistband that's only elasticized on the back 2 panels (and has a zipper in the center back). I can find directions on how to make a non-stretch waistband with a zipper, and how to make an elastic casing waistband, but I can't find directions on how to make a hybrid.

I could probably easily figure it out on my own if I just forced myself to do so, but I've got the heebie jeebies about messing it up.

Does anyone know of a video or illustrated instructions for how to make partly-elasticized waistband with a zipper?

The easiest way to do it is to make the non-elastic with zipper version and add thread-encased elastic in the back panels after.

Do you want the skirt to accommodate various sizes? In that case, divide the waistband in half: make the front half non stretch and add the zipper. In the back, make a casing that is long enough to accommodate the largest size you want it to fit, add elastic to the casing and stitch the two parts together.

You also need the back panels to fit the larger stretch of the elastic waistband otherwise it won't work.

I converted an elastic casing to a semi-fixed drawstring in a bought skirt once. I fed a sturdy ribbon through the casing, adjusted the gathers, and then sewed the ribbon in place at points in the casing approximately 25% and 75% along the waistband. Then I sewed through a few places along the 25-75% zone to keep the gathers from shifting too much. That way, I still had enough freedom in the 0-25% and 75-100% ends to get the skirt on and off, but the drawstring was fixed halfway around. You might be able to adapt this idea for what you want.

If you want to have less bulk at the top, I think you would have to adjust the gathers in the three fixed panels before attaching the waistband, and then leave the waistband flat for the last two panels to add your elastic, but how much you need to do this will depend on the radius of your upper circles. If you're aiming to have as little fullness as possible at the top, you'll have to make some adjustment on those panels to give the elastic something to gather.