Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon

Threads Project Guides

Learn to Sew

Guide Home
Chapter
Insider

Sign in or become an insider to access this story

Sign In

Foolproof Skirt Fitting

Threads #179, June/July 2015

Sarah Veblen’s skirt fitting technique from Threads #179 (June/July 2015) uses a grid-based system to achieve a foolproof fit. She writes:

“I’ve worked with many fitting methods over the years and have found that some of them leave you chasing your tail, as one fitting adjustment creates the need for more. Through experimentation and experience, I’ve developed a method that solves fit issues one by one, logically and without guesswork. Best of all, it achieves a high level of refinement regardless of your shape or size.”

Follow this tutorial to see how Sarah’s skirt-fitting technique works.

Rely on the grid

Your goal in fitting any garment is for it to hang plumb, with its hem parallel to the floor. Even if you work with a muslin directly on the body, it can be difficult to know for sure that you’ve managed this. By adding a fitting grid to the muslin, however, you create clear, fixed visual reference lines you can see and measure from, so reaching perfect alignment requires no vague “eyeballing.”

To get a custom fit, I start by using a grid to align a muslin test garment on the body, and finish by draping personalized darts to fit the waist. I’ll show you how to fit a straight skirt, but the same principles work for a skirt with a flared or pegged hem.

Working with gridlines is a simple concept, and it gives you full control over the fitting process. Once you learn the technique, you’ll be able to fit a skirt on any figure with complete confidence.

WEB EXTRA: Take a 360° view of this great fitting skirt and zoom in to marvel at the details.

skirt fitting
Proper skirt alignment, plus personalized dart placement, result in a garment that fits and flatters.

Start your 14-day FREE trial to access this story.

Start your FREE trial today and get instant access to this article plus access to all Threads Insider content.

Start Your Free Trial
Previous: Quick Fitting Solutions Next: Fitting a Full Bust | Video
Discuss

Discuss

  1. user-4348835 | | #1

    I cannot download the article on the skirt fitting by Sarah Veblen, I get the message ooops! cannot find the page. Can you send me a link please.

    Regards,
    mgower

  2. user-3965609 | | #2

    I hate to say this, but for an article on fit, one would expect the skirt to be parallel to the floor and not pucker on the behind. This is not up to Threads usual quality.
    Sorry!

Log in or become a member to post a comment.

Learn to Sew

Learn to Sew

Discover the tools and techniques for successful results.

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Learn to Sew Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Getting Started
Construction Basics
Garment Details
Fitting Fundamentals
Easy Projects