Sewing Basics # 10 - Encased Elasticated Waistband

The "dress to skirt" restyle as seen in my last post and an earlier restyle, has got to be the simplest restyle of all. Lop the top portion off the dress then sew in some elastic. There's a couple of ways that I'm aware of to create an elasticated waistband. The one I did on my grey dress restyle, and this one...

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1. Press over the raw edge about 0.5cm all the way round, then press it over again about 1-2cm (or more even) depending on the width of your elastic. Pin in place and mark a 3-4cm "gap" using a couple of pins as markers either side. Then sew all the way around, close to the bottom edge of your waistband casing, but leave the gap between the 2 pins open/unsewn.

2. Measure the amount of elastic you need by holding it around your waist so it is stretched a little, but comfortable and secure. Cut the relevant length  of elastic (allow 2" ontop of your desired length for knotting) and knot it on the end of a crochet hook. Use the crochet hook to feed the elastic through the "gap" in the waistband casing, all the way around and back out the other end of the gap. Knot the 2 ends of the elastic together. Trim if necessary. Hand or machine sew the gap in the waistband casing.

There you go! Bob's your uncle & your dress is a skirt!!

Numbers 1-9 of  Sewing basics