Hi all – haven’t been blogging for a while as my company underwent some drastic restructuring and as one result, they eliminated my position, so I am back in the job market looking for opportunities. Some of you might remember me as JNCT14 – I was the one lucky enough to go to Bangkok on a business trip and pick up some of those gorgeous silks.
Since I now have some free time, I thought I would try to get back into some sewing (not just quilting). BUT – being over 40, my waist seems to have disappeared! (if anyone finds it, tell it to COME HOME 🙂
So I thought I would try the elastic waist finish shown in the September 200 issue of Threads to see if I can wear a skirt again and not look like a stuffed sausage.
Has anyone tried the technique? Does it work for those who have a lack of waistline?
Replies
I found your waist! It has attached itself to mine.
I told it to go away, but it won't leave.
LOL - why is it that after 40, women's figures change so dramatically? Men don't HAVE this problem!!!I would so love to wear some of the cute tops that are in style these days but unfortunately, they tend to look like maternity tops (and it is SO embarassing when people actually want to know your due date.....)
Of course a man's body does not change after 40. There is absolute proof of this as they keep the same belt size put it under their pot bellies and brag about not having changed a bit since their teens.
OK - that is true about the guys - but women don't have that luxury and for some reason the fashion industry thinks that we should all look like the 17 year old models! It used to be easy to get clothes but now that my body has turned traitor (or said 'enough, I'm going on vacation, eat what I like and PUT it where I like...')I need to resurrect my fashion sewing skills and try to make clothes that actually look decent on me.
"..my waist seems to have disappeared! (if anyone finds it, tell it to COME HOME :-)"
Thanks to you ...and Ralphetta for starting my day with a belly full of laughter! And welcome back, mktguru47; I wasn't here before when you were here ...but I can tell already that I'll try not to miss any of your posts. What a hoot you much be for your friends. Lucky ladies, I'd say. giggle
As for the elastic in the waistband: I'm still in the process of moving my things from the states to Canada, so I don't have all of my Threads magazines here yet, but I've used elastic in the waist before and find it very comfortable and attractive.
The technique I use (and I don't recall the one you are talking about) is where you make the waistband just a bit larger than your waist and then use non-roll elastic that is a bit smaller than your waist size. It makes the waistband fit snuggly, but still comfortable.
I've also used elastic just in the side only, and also in the back only. The sides works for me, but not in the back, because (unfortunately) I lost my "bum" somewhere (maybe someone can find it and send it back to me as well?) A flat rear on a woman looks absolutely dreadful!
If you would elaborate as to the article, perhaps we could all be a bit more helpful. Again, welcome back!
Mom taught me a fantastic elasticized waist that hides rather than emphasizes my tummy. It's a separate waistband with elastic sewing inside a folded piece of fabric. Leaving on vacation tomorrow and will try to get the detailed instructions for you before I go. If not, you'll be hearing from me upon my return. I'll try to post a picture for everyone of what this looks like on me -- a 34" waist with a considerable "pot."
Fabulous Donna, thank you. Enjoy your vacation!
I'm so glad you returned to our Gatherins Discussions spot. Really missed hearing from you. Gail
Just this week I picked up a straight skirt in a charity shop, and am impressed by the elasticated waistline arrangement that doesn't have any elastication showing. The photo shows the side front where the pocket is, but the trick is that where the front waistband reaches the side waistband, it actually goes inside that side part and has a hidden elastic extension which allows some 'give'. The second photo shows the inside, and here the front edge of the pocket has a similar extension attached to the inside front of the waistband. So there's two-directional stretch but no visible gathered part, and I like that because it's the gathers that would make me look like a sack of potatoes tied in the middle!I'm not sure if I've explained this very well - it took me a while to work out the mechanics of it, and I've got the skirt. But I think it would be a worthwhile idea for those of us with these expanding waistlines.Edited 7/5/2008 5:37 pm ET by moira
Edited 7/5/2008 5:38 pm ET by moira
This is similar to an old pattern of mine where the elastic is inside the front band - in fact, it is a maternity skirt, the pattern is from about forty nine years ago! I did use the pattern for a regular skirt without the elastic and had several buttons on the inside that could be adjusted.
I think they'll work fine. I've done my own variety of these over the years. The only thing I would add from both wearing/sewing/buying experience is that if there is no tab on the inside to actually button over to the other side - under the zipper - that that pesky zipper will itch the heck out of MY skin!
I'll try to write out directions to that and post them sometime...
Also - some of my best pants - picked up at Chico's after Christmas last year - have wide elastic that was obviously layed on the outside of the fabric, flush with the top of the pant fabric, stitched in a 1/4" seam or so - then turned to the inside - and in so doing, 'wrapped' the top of the elastic with the fabric. Pulled a tad smaller as applying, then stitched in the ditch along the center front, sides, etc. to hold down in place. That is a tad different from the Method Two in the article. ,
I recently made a pair of pants using the European slack pattern put out by Lois Hinse.......I used some stretch fabric thinking they would be good schlepping around home pants. I used 1.5" sport elastic in the waist. I serged the elastic on and then turn the top down, stitching only in the ditch at the front, back and side seams........I have the most flattering and comfy pair of black knit pants! Just awesome. The pattern has front and back darts so there isn't the bulk of normal elastic waisted pants. My hubby said they look so sharp I ended up wearing them to my granddaughters graduation!!! This may be something for you to check into.........it's a very flattering pattern.......at least for me. I'm short and a tad overweight but not extreme......just enough to be a bit 'round' in the midsection. I blame my height........I'm not fat, just too darned short!!!!!!!! :-)
Kay
Edited 7/6/2008 7:13 pm ET by Crazy K
I haven't tried the technique yet, but I own 2 pairs of pants w/that type of waist finish from casual corner and they're great! (I've owned them for 6 years; Casual Corner is now out of business). I was very very excited to see the article and can't wait to try the technique.
Jay
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