Comments on: Struggling to get that waistband closed? Ease-y Does It – Part 1

By: Curvy & Dressing Historical – Historical Sewing

Curvy & Dressing Historical – Historical Sewing — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:41:44 +0000

[…] waistbands to your corseted waist measurement over undergarments and with a little ease; fit skirts to the band length with darts and seam […]

By: Rebecca C

Rebecca C — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 22:02:12 +0000

I have a collection of UFOs gathering in what has become my Pending Waistband Wednesday Collection (Which Wednesday TBA). Procrastinating because I couldn’t remember the appropriate amount of ease to factor in. (THANK YOU for answering that question!) But I now realize it’s really because I don’t have all my layers done in the proper order, that I can’t get an accurate “waist over garments to be worn” measurement.

By: Donna Knower

Donna Knower — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:45:26 +0000

I aim for just “close”–I try to use era correct patterns, the much bashed poly/cotton blends (cuz I’m after fun, not hours ironing!), straight machine stitching and hand work. I will spend HOURS making hand pleated ribbon trims, too. But my weight varys 🙁 So my waist does. Which would leave all my work hanging in storage should I gain or lose a few inches—not something I much want happening!! So I put my thinking cap on and came up with an incorrect, but very handy, solution: I make a waistband with a twill tape ” draw string” inside! I fasten it on one side and bring it out thru a button hole on the INSIDE part of the other end of the waistband. The tape is several inches longer than my band and I put in lengthwise button holes 1″ apart for several inches. I sew 2 buttons to the fixed INSIDE waistband, also 1″ apart. In this way, I can draw the waist tighter or let it out as needed ;-)!! Oh, I also make my waistbands 2-4″ bigger than my actual size, for the unhappy event I gain instead of lose weight.

The result is a flat band that gets slightly ‘rumpled’ when the twill tape is tightened, but I figure so what? It’s under my bodice and out of sight so I’m good with it since it let’s me continue to wear my skirt.

I only wear costume for activities of my local Historical Society: I host at the house built by a CW Col during the summer, stand on sidewalks to encourage passersby into a fundraiser, etc. Nuttin like hoops to catch a driver’s eye! So “my public” isn’t highly knowledgeable about era correct, enabling me to cheat a bit easier than if I attended reenactments.

I just recently found this site and have spent the last week reading my way back to this post. Great info and I learned LOTS!! I’ve also decided to ‘clean up’ my sewing methods a bit for greater correctness. Not to forsaking the poly blends, tho 😉 Can’t afford the better fabrics, so I sorta have a reason. But I can improve methods during sewing! Thanks for all the great stuff!!
Donna
SW WI farm wife and lover of Victorian

By: LadyD

LadyD — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:13:34 +0000

When I’ve used hook and eye or hook and bar for skirts I’ve used 2 or 3 hooks so I could adjust the waistband tightness depending if I wanted it on high/mid/low waist (also helps with if different undergarments are worn). This is an issue with me as I like to wear historical stuff for modern as well so sometimes I have the petticoats sometimes not. 😉

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:48:48 +0000

In reply to Rebecca C. Your waistband should sit snug around the waist. This is why it's imperative to wear a good corset. The back wires should be supported well with ties or a panel to keep them tight and in place against the body. You can try a bustle pad UNDER the wired bustle to help support it.

By: Rebecca C

Rebecca C — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:58:41 +0000

Trying to figure out how much ease to build in for waistband on TV101 bustle. Tried on a friend’s (without corset–as yet to be built) who is slightly smaller than me, so it was hookable but a bit tight to be wearing for a long period of time. She had another with slightly looser waistband, comfortable, but then the bustle dragged down the back even more than the first one.

So, is there a trick to being able to “breathe” at the waist without the bustle sagging?

By: Val LaBore

Val LaBore — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:08:14 +0000

I found my waist size increased differently according to what I used to close or tie my waistbands with. I was using a cord for my ties on my petticoat but when I tied it, the knot sometimes was under my skirt waistband (or corset) so it added bulk. I’ve since used ribbon for that, or grosgrain sometimes. I just recently purchased some thin cotton twill to try.

By: Autumn H

Autumn H — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:13:52 +0000

I’ve never had any issues with fit, except for altering for a changing body. Your information was useful, and I’m definitely bookmarking it for later!