Thread: waist bands-circle skirts

I've tried countless ways.
how do you guys find this works best? I typically don't care how mine look because I cover them up, but I'd like to make them look better.
I see a lot of them sew the material to the elastic. is there an online tutorial for a good way to do this with chiffon?
thanks so much!

I make a separate casing slightly bigger than my hips and gather the top edge of the circle to match the casing and stitch. Then I run elastic through. I find there's less bulk from the waistband under the belt this way. I don't like to sew through the elastic all the way around because then it's so much work to make adjustments, switch out elastic, etc. Maybe a few stitches on each side to keep the elastic from twisting, but that's it.

I do the same thing but I use the wide satin blanket binding that you can buy prepackaged in the notions area. It just feels good on my skin.

yeah... i do the same thing kiyaana... I like it better that way, but it doesn't seem to look as professional that way. Do you agree, or do u think I'm just messing something up? Its hard dealing with the curvature at the top of circle skirts and stitching that to a waist band.

I use extra wide double fold bias tape but I've been cutting it as long as the top of the skirt and gathering it as well. I never thought to gather the skirt fabric and then sew in onto the binding already gathered, duh!

Thanks ladies!

XOXO

Originally Posted by anala

I do the same thing but I use the wide satin blanket binding that you can buy prepackaged in the notions area. It just feels good on my skin.

does this already have elastic in it? is it just satin? or is it stitched to elastic? just curious!

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

does this already have elastic in it? is it just satin? or is it stitched to elastic? just curious!

No. You then insert eleastic into it.

for Chiffon I use baby blanket binding. For heavier fabric I use bias tape.

{{{HUGS}}}

Make a casing with wide bias tape or blanket binding. Insert elastic and go.

Souzan

I dont even know what bias tape is!

Gathering the top edge helps me eliminate the curve issue. I'll try to take a photo.

I like the idea of the bias tape or blanket binding!

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

yeah... i do the same thing kiyaana... I like it better that way, but it doesn't seem to look as professional that way. Do you agree, or do u think I'm just messing something up? Its hard dealing with the curvature at the top of circle skirts and stitching that to a waist band.

Bulk & Packaged Bias Tape by Wrights

Bias tape is created when fabric is cut on, well, the bias. In otherwords at a 45 degree angle to the weave. this makes it more flexible so that it can go around curves easily.

Commercially there are several companies which make it. It comes in a variety of wideths and colours and is relatively inexpensive. Optimally, you would want to make your own, but who has the time?

{{{{HUGS}}}}

For a more geekie explination of bias tape (I love wikipedia!)

Bias tape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

{{{HUGS}}

thanks tahira! does this mean you use a different color than your chiffon? or you buy it the same color?
sorry Im lost! haha.

I get bias tape of blanket binding in the same color as the chiffon. Make sure your stay stitch the chiffon before you start doing anything else to it and definitely before you put the waistband on.

Souzan

I usually serge the edge before I put the waist band on... do u mean so it doesn't fray?
Anyhow- when you use the double fold...then you can put the chiffon in between the sides? is that why it looks so awesome?

you ladies teach me a lot!
thanks again. I have a new task to try!

btw- I put wire in the bottom of my circle skirt for the first time. I'm in love!

Yes, you can serge the top edge. That works beautifully. And yes, if you use double fold or blanket binding you can basically just slipp the top of the skirt between the folds. My only suggestion with this is to make sure that the skirt is 'hanging' striaght down from the waist band when you pin it in. this will help avaid any pleats because the skirt fabric is at a wonky angle.

If the chiffon is light weight, I would use blanket binding which is generally satin, double folded and a lighter weight.

{{{{HUGS}}}

awesome! thanks again. I'm excited to try something new. I think I am going to gather the skirt before I add the waist band and see how that works (as Kiyaana said)

There's a page on my web site that contains instructions for this.

Belly Dancing: Costume Corner

Look under "Your Online Sewing Class" for the article titled "Sewing Hints: How to Make a Hip Elastic Casing".

Elsewhere on that Costuming menu are my detailed instructions for how to make a circle skirt, and also an article on how to hem one.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

you ladies teach me a lot!
thanks again. I have a new task to try!

btw- I put wire in the bottom of my circle skirt for the first time. I'm in love!

what does the wire do? what type do you use and can you post a pict?

Originally Posted by lylagus

what does the wire do? what type do you use and can you post a pict?

wire makes it rigid so you can make it form whatever way you want. I like to wrap it around a cylinder (about the size of wrapping paper) and then it gives you the really curly look at the bottom. I will do my best to post pictures soon....
does someone else have one? my digital camera is having a sleep over, haha

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

I usually serge the edge before I put the waist band on... do u mean so it doesn't fray?
Anyhow- when you use the double fold...then you can put the chiffon in between the sides? is that why it looks so awesome?

Okay, stay stitching is like a basting stitch that prevents stretching of the fabric during garment construction. You should do that (or serge along the raw edge) immediately after cutting. When you stay stitch you work from the outside to the center and then from the other outside to the center. So from left of the piece to the middle and from right side of the piece to the middle just inside of the eventual finished seam line. This keeps it from stretching even farther while you are stay stitching it. You don't need to do this with all fabrics. But should do it with anything cut on the bias, with curves, and with fabrics like chiffon that stetch easily.

The chiffon will be sandwiched between the layers of bias tape but it is applied in such a way that you will have a secure channel to run the elastic through. Follow directions on the package or in any good sewing guide. It is super easy to use and you will be glad you took the extra step to use it.

Souzan

Originally Posted by *Shira*

There's a page on my web site that contains instructions for this.

Belly Dancing: Costume Corner

Look under "Your Online Sewing Class" for the article titled "Sewing Hints: How to Make a Hip Elastic Casing".

Elsewhere on that Costuming menu are my detailed instructions for how to make a circle skirt, and also an article on how to hem one.

I swear by Shira's method using wide single fold bias tape. It's especially good to give stability to lightweight fabrics like silk and chiffon. I've been using her method for years.