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Drawstring Opening?

MaryinColorado | Posted in General Sewing Info on

I am trying to decide which method to use for the drawstrings to exit the batik cotton skirt waistband: regular buttonhole, round eyelet style buttonhole, bound buttonhole, or what?  I think a grommet would be too heavy for this fabric.

Also the pattern (Kwik Sew 3175) doesn’t say to use any kind of interfacing on the waistband. I am thinking it needs a little something, what do you think?

I am also considering putting a piece of elastic in the back attached to the drawstrings thinking this might increase the comfort. 

I appreciate any and all suggestions.  This is my first step back into making clothing for myself after all my frustrations with fitting this “middle aged” figure.  Mary

Replies

  1. Palady | | #1

    >> ... round eyelet style ... <<  MO, would be to go with this buttonhole. 

    >> ... interfacing on the waistband ... <<  Mo again, the better to use a very light weight one. 

    >> ... a piece of elastic in the back attached to the drawstrings ... <<  Excellent idea.

    Some years ago I purchased a light weight printed skirt.  In addition to a light weight interfacing, the waist band has three channels.  First & third have elastic.  Second, the middle one has elastic in the back part of the draw, which exits through eyelet buttonholes.  The draw is made of a bias strip of the fashion fabric.  Overall this skirt has worn very well. 

    May you know success in your getting back to fashion.

    nepa

    1. MaryinColorado | | #2

      Thanks so much for your input.  I thought the round eyelet one would look the best, but was concerned about longevity.  Now I feel confident to go ahead with it and the lightweight interfacing and the elastic in the back attatched to the drawstring. 

      I like the edea of 3 channels as in your skirt too.  Will try it on the next one as I think it would be more comfortable.  I'll just need to increase the size of the casing about 1/2 inch then.  Do you know how wide the finished casing is in your skirt?  Mary

       

      1. Palady | | #3

        >> ... how wide the finished casing is in your skirt? ... <<  I can give you the exact after Sept 13.  I'm away from home visiting family and will be able to measure it once back to get the skirt out of the closet.

        What caught my attention when I bought it was the draw being as the fabric.  Somehow, the affect appealed.   Looking over the construction at that moment, I realized the cost was reasonable enough to go forward.  After this skirt, I found a denim with a bias draw.  Far better, MO, than having to use the cord draw yardage.

        nepa

        1. MaryinColorado | | #4

          I really appreciate your help.  It was very difficult to get the drawstring through the loop turner and line up the fine seam to press it.  It turned out well though and I'm glad it matches the skirt fabric.  I'm wasn't happy with the instructions for the waistband and will do it "my way" next time.  It looked like it had a ruffle at the top of the waist.  I had to take the topstitching out.  I haven't tried it on again yet, but hope it will lay nicer now.  Mary

          Next time I will make it a smaller size!  I am going to serge the top of the waistband just above the drawstring to get rid of that "ruffle" look.  It accentuates my waist...or lack thereof!  Ugh!  Otherwise it is a pretty skirt out of the soft batik panels that flare just a bit at the bottom.  I love the pattern but expect to have better luck with a smaller size so it will lay flatter.  Mary

          On hindsite, there was nothing wrong with the instructions just a sizing issue and my brainfog. 

          Edited 8/24/2009 8:53 am by MaryinColorado

          Edited 8/24/2009 9:18 am by MaryinColorado

          1. zuwena | | #5

            One further suggestion for you to consider on your next draw. Leave about 1 1/2 space between the eyelet holes and thread the draws through the opposite holes in front. In other words, the draws would cross on the inside before exiting on the front. You will find that you get a nicer/stronger hold when you draw up the tie. Z

          2. MaryinColorado | | #6

            I fixed the wasteband and it lays so much better, I can't wait to buy fabric for the next one, it's so comfortable now that I got rid of that "ruffle" at the top. 

            I like your idea of crossing the draw before exiting the eyelets, will definitely do that on the next one.  Thanks so much for all your helpful assist on this!  Mary

          3. Palady | | #7

            Excellent pick-up for your suggesting to cross the draw.  This realy works well.  I missed including the idea in my post and it was astute of you to realize my oversight.  One of those things where the doing is just-done w/o additional thought.

            Sure hope lurkers and/or novices read through & see your post because it applies in making any draw.  But for a draw string bag perhaps.

            nepa

          4. zuwena | | #8

            Thank you for your kind words. This "Gathering" is just the best place. I've learned so much from all those who gather here. Z

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