Thread: How tight is your waistband elastic?

I just got a chiffon circle skirt and harem pants from L Rose and I need to adjust the elastic to fit properly. Does anyone have a rule of thumb they use to figure out how tight to make it so it won't fall off or ride up? Thanks!

I put a piece of elastic in, put the skirt on, and pin it with a safety pin where it's tight enough to stay up but not uncomfortable or causing muffin top. I then cut the elastic and hand stitch it.

From Shushanna Designs: Elastic Waist Bands

"Usually you can determine the right tightness for the elastic by feel, but if you're still having trouble, here's a method that may help you. Put the elastic around your lower hips (the largest part), and using both hands pull the elastic till it can't get tighter. Use one end of the elastic to mark with a pen or a straight pin where it lays on the other end of the elastic. This is the maximum tightness you can do while still being able to get the skirt on and off. The minimum tightness would be if the un-stretched elastic is the same length as the circumference of your upper hips. Mid way between these two lengths is probably your ideal tightness. Mark both lengths with a pin, and pick a length in between. If you're still unsure, you can safety pin your elastic instead of sewing it closed, follow all of the sewing instructions below, and be able to tighten or loosen it later as needed."

If the skirt is so much fabric/so heavy that you can't position the elastic tight enough without creating muffin top, another option is to replace the elastic with a drawstring or narrow belt.

^
typically causes me muffin top with a drawstring- but I have a skirt with 33+ yards of hem and its elastic and drawstring combined- works nicely for the most part LOL