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Tuesday 1 May 2012

How To Fix a Skirt That's Too Small


I bought a skirt from Restyle and didn't bother to check the measurements, just picked the same size I usually wear. When it arrived, it was TINY! I couldn't fit in it no matter what, it didn't stretch at all, but since the skeleton print was so nice, I wanted to keep it. So here's how to make a skirt fit when it's too small!

Saved because of the print.
You need:
A skirt
Stretchy fabric that matches the skirt's colour or compliments it (amount depends on how long your skirt is and how much width you need to add to it, basically: length + 2cm x width to be added + 2cm)
Sewing machine (or lots of patience and a needle and thread)
Scissors
Pins

1. Cut the side seams open. I just cut the whole seam (and the zipper) off, but you could carefully open the seam if you want to. If the print had been so wide that it would have been cut it with the seams, I'd have opened them.
The skeleton skirt with seams cut off

2. Measure the skirt and yourself to find out how much fabric you need to add to make it fit. Cut two slices from the stretchy fabric that are as long as your skirt and half of the required extra width wide each. Leave 1-2 cm extra on the edges. If the fabric is super stretchy like mine, take a few centimetres off the measure to make sure it fits snugly. Make sure the fabric stretches so much you can get the skirt on, or add a zipper to the new side seam you'll soon sew.

3. Pin the stretchy fabric and one of the skirt pieces together, right sides facing each other. You can pin both stretchy strips to the skirt piece and sew them in one go. You should make the stretchy fabric follow the curve of the skirts edge, not like I did, because then you can be sure to get the same amount of added width everywhere. My fabric was so stretchy it didn't matter. If you do it my style, cut the excess off only after you have sewed the pieces together, it's easier that way.

On top is the back side of the skirt, with right side facing the stretchy fabric pinned to it.



4. Sew the new side seams you just pinned.

Sewing the skirt and the stretchy fabric together.

5. Lay the skirt pieces with the strips sewed on the floor right side up. Lay the other skirt piece on top of it, right side down, and pin it to the stretchy fabric edges.
The front of the skirt with the extra fabric added.

The back of the skirt laid on top of the front with added fabric, right sides facing.
Just pin and sew! I left the lining fabric in, the skirt originally had it just on
the front piece and it was sewed with the side seams.
6. Try the skirt on. If it's too big (like mine was, I didn't measure correctly), just sew a seam in the middle of the stretchy pieces to take a few centimetres in. If it's too small, you can cut the stretchy pieces in half and repeat the process to get some more room.

7. Once the skirt fits, hem the top and bottom of the added fabric strips. Zigzag the raw edges to prevent the fabric unravelling, the stretchy types fall apart fast if the edges are left unfinished.

Finished! Enjoy your new, correctly sized skirt :)

Here's mine, you can see the extra seam in the middle of the stretchy piece,
because I accidentally made mine too big at first.

15 comments:

  1. You are such a wizz at crafting! I don't think there is anything you can't do! I saw that skirt on Restyle and just knew it was gunna be popular - I'd definitely get it if they carried it in my size but they don't cater for larger girls which is such a shame.. still I do enjoy their non clothing items! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Restyle has some nice stuff, and I immediately ordered the skirt when I saw it. Right now I'd just buy one off the finnish goth flea market, because it seems like many other shoppers forgot to check the measurements too ;P

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  2. Oh my goodness that skirt is ruining my life. WHY MUST I BE BROKE?

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    Replies
    1. I hope they still have a few left when you can afford it, it's a really nice skirt :)

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  3. Wow, that skirt is awesome - well worth the effort customising it! :)

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  4. oh... I loooooooooooooove this print !
    always so sad to have some clothes to small to wear them.. so nice to change them !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I always have a pile of clothes that need some altering, then when I find the time, I'll do them all at once. I also made a bolero out of a baggy cardigan and shortened a fabric belt when I re-did the skirt.

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  5. Simple solutions I'd never think of. This is why I don't DIY, hehe.

    Definitely worth saving, and a good save, at that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why there's the internet! I usually just google if I come across something I don't know how to fix ;P

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  6. Thank you for posting, I made a skirt out of an Elvis fabric and I feel is way too tight for me. With this I can save it now! Thanks again.

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    Replies
    1. Glad that I could help, I hope your skirt turned out gorgeous!

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  7. You just saved me! Am making a fitted A-line and, when I went to put in the zipper, realized I was waaay off in my measurements. It's about 3 inches too small at the waist/hips! Am going to rip out the seams, add fabric as directed, and have an even more fabulous homemade creation. Thanks so much for posting!

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  8. Hi! I'm thinking about buying the skirt and normally I'm a size XS/S and the size chart of Restyle said I need a XL. I really don't understand the size from Restyle. What size did you order? :) Thanks, Niki.

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    Replies
    1. I think mine was an M or an S. This skirt runs SUPER small, I think even the L might have been too tight on me and I usually wear size S. I think your best option is to trust the measurements, not the letters :)

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  9. Thank you. Is it best to buy the skirt too small at the hips or too big at the waist? I don't know what's easier to fix. I'm not much of DIY-er.

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