When You Sew, Do You Know How To Find Your Waist Line?

When you work on a sewing project, do you haveyour body naturally says it is.
trouble trying to find your waist line?Garments will be more comfortable there.
Some waist lines are not as obvious as others. YouDon't worry if your waist isn't level. Mine is up in the
think you know where it is, but you aren't sure.front, down in the back, up on the right side and down
You need to know this even for basic sewing.on the left.
So many sewing instructions tell you to do this or thatHave you ever put on a pair of panty hose, hiked
from your waist line.them way up trying to hold in your "blubber" and
If you can't find it, how can you follow the instructions?watched what happened?
As women age, they get thicker in the middle andThe minute that you bend, they will roll right to where
really have difficulty trying to figure out where theiryour body bends and the "blubber" just spills out over
waist is.the top.
Another reason so many of you have this problem isPlace a 1" waist band at that spot on your body. Bend
because you don't wear garments at your naturalin all directions. Wear it around the house for a while. It
waist line, especially in the last few years with soshould settle at your natural waistline. When it feels
many garments cut below the waist.comfortable, continue with the rest of your
There is a difference between where your naturalmeasurements.
waist line is and where you might wear your garmentsYou really should use your natural waist line when you
or be forced to wear your garments because of theare fitting a master basic pattern. This is particularly
ready-to-wear clothes available on the market today.true for pants and skirts.
Here are some tips to help you find your natural waistThen, once you have your fit, if you choose to wear
line.your garments below the waist, just make a design
1. Tie a narrow piece of elastic around your middlechange to a copy of your master basic pattern.
2. Bend to the right sideCopy design changes from other sewing patterns or
3. Bend to the left sidegarments and learn how to apply them to your master
4. Bend forwardbasic pattern that you know fits you. Don't start from
5. Bend backwardscratch trying to fit another pattern.
The elastic will roll to where your body bends.The rule is: Fit your natural body, then create your
Voila! That is your natural waist line.designs.
It may not seem like the best place, but it is whereIt just makes sense!