How To Add Side Panels To A Skirt

HowTo Add Side Panels To A Skirt

There’s nothing worse than pulling on a gorgeous new skirt and finding that it’s too tight to wear. Or finding that the skirt has shrunk in the washing machine or you have put on a few pounds and it doesn’t fit any more. After all, you will struggle to walk if you go out in a skirt which doesn’t fit comfortably.

And you might find it hard to sit down in a tight skirt. Not only this but when you have a skirt which is too tight for you, it doesn’t look flattering. It can make you look bigger than you are, and on top of this, all your lumps and bumps might show when you wear the skirt.

Then it’s just going to end up as a piece which sits at the bottom of your wardrobe unworn. It will be such a shame that a pretty skirt doesn’t get to be put on show, let alone how much you might have spent on the new piece for your wardrobe.

However, if the skirt is too tight, there are some things you can do before you throw in the towel. For starters, you might want to consider moving the button if it’s possible. That way, you can slightly loosen the skirt so that you can slip it on easier. Also, you might want to put side panels on the skirt. By doing this, you can increase the size of the skirt and then you will be able to wear it out again for that next night out.

Also, adding size panels to a skirt can add character to the piece. For instance, if the skirt is a plain color, you can jazz it up with different colors which will help it to stand out. Or you might want to go for a cool pattern which will give it a splash of color.

However, a lot of people are put off adding side panels as they don’tknow how to do it. But if you are wondering how to add side panels toa skirt, here are some tips you can follow so that your skirt canbecome your staple piece.

Firstthings first, check your measurements

The last thing you want to do is add panels and then find that the skirt is too small, or has become too big. Therefore, you need to make sure you take accurate measurements before you do get the sewing machine out.

The first thing you need to work out is how wide the panels should be. You can do this by working out the current width of the skirt minus the size of the final one. You should allow a couple of inches so that there is room to maneuver. You should then work out what the panel length will be.

Remember to measure from the waistbandto the hem and then add on extra allowance. And remember to do thistwice as you will need to do panels for both sides of the skirt. Getsomeone else to double check your measurements so that they areaccurate and that you don’t have a skirt which is differentlengths.

Now you need to take care unpicking the seams

Ifyou ask anyone who sews, they will tell you how annoying it can be tounpick seams. After all, if you go a bit wrong, it can leave you withhours of mess to sort out. Therefore, you need to be very carefulunpicking the seams of the skirt. You should slowly unpick both sideseams, ensuring that you don’t touch any other part of the fabricof the skirt. Once you have unpicked the seams, you should now havethe side seams of the skirt in your hands.

Nowto attach the side panels

It’s very important that you align the panels to the skirt properly. After all, you don’t want to have to start again from the top as you figure out they don’t look right on the skirt. You can’t go out with one side panel positioned differently to the other side.

Therefore, make sure you have aligned it properly and then start stitching the new panel to the side seam of the skirt. Once you have done one, you can then sew the other panel before you check out your handy work.

For the sake of durability, make sure you reinforce your hard work. After all, you don’t want the panels falling apart in a month or two. It will be a nightmare having to start again from the beginning.

Once you have completed the side panels, you might want to widen the waistband of the skirt. After all, you don’t want the skirt to look misshaped as the waistband is now smaller than the skirt.

Andremember to be careful when it comes down to what fabric you use forthe new side panels. After all, you don’t want something which is aheavier material than what the skirt is made out of.

Not only mightit end up causing a fashion faux pas, but it could also cause theskirt stitching to come apart before long. Therefore, stick to asimilar material to make sure that your skirt doesn’t go wrong. Andthen you can enjoy wearing the new stylish piece out and about.