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how to make your skirt fit: hip measurement


Have you ever wondered how to make your skirt fit the way you like? Have you wondered why it is always too tight around the hips even when you have carefully followed the pattern size chart?

Wearing a dress with a skirt that pulls around the tummy area is just too uncomfortable. It makes you feel conspicuous, right?

Here's why. It's all about taking the hip measurement correctly. Yes, you might have been taking it wrong this whole time! 🙈

So the solution is to take your hip measurement in a different way, finding your new hip measurement, and creating a skirt pattern that really fits!

The solution is super easy and will take only 2 minutes of your time.

Make your skirt fit: Step 1

This is where the hip measurement is usually taken. It is below the tummy and as you can see the figure's tummy sticks out beyond where the measurement is being taken.

When the measurement is taken this way the skirt is going to be too tight because the tummy is taking up space.

Make space for the tummy! 😊 And just so you know, you are not alone in this problem. Otherwise, this blog would not need to be written, right? 🥰

Now, find a piece of cardboard or some other wide flat "piece of something". It should be about 4 inches wide and at least 10 inches long.

Now, hold it against your tummy with the long edge vertical.

Like this.

Make your skirt fit: step 2

Next, take your hip measurement.

Measure around the fullest part of your hips including the piece of cardboard and the space that creates between you and the cardboard. You now have your new hip measurement.

Make your skirt fit step 3

Now it's time to compare your new hip measurement with the pattern chart. Does it now fall into a larger pattern size? Most likely.

In that case you will need to do a simple trick called pattern grading. The next blog will show you the super simple steps to pattern grading and how to create the skirt that will fit!

Make a skirt that fits by taking your hip measurement the right way, making enough space for the tummy.

What is your biggest struggle with getting your skirts to fit the way you want?

Let me know in the comments below!

By: Cheryl

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