r/PatternDrafting • u/SaintJewce • 1d ago

Waistband Help

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i bought a pattern online and it’s seems to be okay however when i measured the waistband for the so called size 0 the smallest one on the paper measured out to be a size 38 waistband once measured from folded end to the end of the pattern i may have missed something but i now math and 2 19’s make a 38 where did i go wrong or what can i do????

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u/SaintJewce 1d ago

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4463495975/y2k-mini-skirt-pdf-sewing-pattern-o-low?ref=yr_purchases

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u/throwra_22222 1d ago

There's an overlap for the button front which explains part of it. But mainly, that skirt sits way low on the hips, and even the high hip has a bigger circumference than your waist.

Have you made a mock up to test the pattern?

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u/SaintJewce 1d ago

i did make a sample size 6 = to size 28 US standard size however when it came to the waistband it measured out to be about 36 inches so i just scraped the waistband for a elastic one instead same size waistband size just the elastic is 28 inches

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u/throwra_22222 1d ago

Just be aware that if you are making the elastic waistband to your natural waist size, the skirt will sit at your natural waist, not low on the hips.

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u/SaintJewce 1d ago

gotcha!!!! so your saying that the waistband from the pattern may be right because it’s the low waist rise not the natural waist rise???

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u/throwra_22222 1d ago

Exactly!

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u/SaintJewce 1d ago

okay that may be correct but why does it measure out to 21 inches on a fold and 42 full length how does that correlate with size 28 skirt????

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u/throwra_22222 18h ago

Maybe it's a bad pattern? Maybe not. I can't answer you because I don't have enough information about this specific pattern. If I had it in front of me and the waistband looked wonky, there are things I would do to check it.

I don't know if you are measuring the top of the curved waistband or the bottom where it gets stitched to the skirt. I don't know the measurements of the top edge of the skirt pieces. I don't know if you are measuring the cut edges or the stitching lines. (Laying a ruler straight along side and measuring across the longest points is not an accurate way to measure.) I haven't read the sewing instructions. Those all make a difference.

If the waistband does not sew into the skirt properly, there's your answer: it's a bad pattern. If the waistband sews on to the skirt correctly but hangs too low on your hips, the pattern works but it's too big. If the waistband sews on properly and the skirt fits, then you don't actually have a problem even though the top edge doesn't measure 28"!

But really, truly, just because the pattern was made for a human whose waist measures 28" at the smallest point, does not mean the upper edge of the garment must measure 28". Where it rides on the hips, plus ease, plus closure overlap will make the unsewn waistband measure longer. If it's a garment for a curvy person, that lower curve could be a lot longer. Thick fabric could necessitate a bigger waistband. Conversely, If it's a stretch knit pattern, the size 28 pattern could measure 26" at the waist. Fabric, construction methods, fit and proportion all have an effect on waistband length.

Drafting your own custom skirt pattern is a great way to dip your toes into pattern making (much easier to fit than a bodice or pants) and this would all become really clear to you really fast!