Got a dance skirt that keeps on falling?
After I posted the 5-panel mermaid skirt DIY, the #1 question has been whether I put a waistband or elastic casing at the top of my mermaid skirt. My answer is generally no, because elastic casing tends to gather fabric around the waist, and if you plan on not wearing a belt on top, the skirt will not look smooth. Also, a tight elastic waistband causes muffin tops.
BUT if you make your mermaid skirt out of relatively thin or weak material that easily stretches out, you can get a gap at the back. Then what do you do?
In this video, you will see what to do to prevent the gap at the back from happening and maintain the smooth look of the skirt. This trick is used in professional costumes, but it is a simple, must-learn trick for belly dancers. So let’s get started!
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If you want to make a mermaid skirt, check out this post.
If you want cut outs on a skirt, check out this post.
If you want to make a modesty panel, check out this post.
🙂
To fit your belly dance skirt well, you need:
Elastic – use elastic that is at least 2.5cm or 1 inch wide. Here I’m using a wide, 4cm (1.5in) wide elastic.
Pins, thread and needle – it’s best to use strong thread like Craft & Button Thread
How to Fit your Belly Dance Skirt
So to prevent the gap and a muffin top, we will insert elastic only at the back of the skirt. First, place your skirt flat making sure that the front and back centres are lined up. Place pins at about 8cm or 3in from both sides, and make sure they are at the same distance from the centre seam at the back.
Then take your elastic, place it 5mm or ¼ inch or so from the edge. Pin it in place.
Take your threaded needle. Secure one end of the elastic by stitching along the edge. I’m stitching in a spiral fashion here. Taking a tiny bit of the fabric, so the stitches don’t show much on the front side of the skirt, then bring the needle through the elastic, and repeat. If your skirt comes with lining, then just sew it onto the lining.
Once the elastic is secured, we’ll create an elastic casing with the thread. First, take a tiny bit of fabric, then take the needle and thread over to the other side of the elastic. Then hold it at an angle, at a point about 5mm or 1/4in to the left from where we started, take a tiny bit of fabric again, coming out in a backward direction. Then bring your needle over to the other side of the elastic, and repeat.
Key is to not sew the elastic. The elastic should be able to move and stretch in the thread casing. Once you reach the mark, make a knot, and put the skirt on. Then pull the elastic to see how tight you want the elastic. I would mark it with a pin.
And finally cut the excess elastic, and secure the end.
And that’s it! By inserting elastic only at the back, you can avoid muffin tops, and still make your skirt waist tighter. You can use the exact same trick for your bedlah belt that is a bit loose on you.
I hope you liked this trick, and if you want more tips and DIY ideas on belly dance costume making, please sign up for the newsletter from the below link. All newsletter subscribers get access to a special page where I share free patterns and resources. 😀
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Thanks for watching, and keep sparkling!
P.S. Happy pinning!
What is the length of the elastic? Is it stretched or unstretched?
Good question! I started with whatever I had, but you need at least as long as the length of the back part of your skirt waist. You can have the elastic unstretched while you create a casing with thread. Then once you create a casing with thread, try on your skirt, pull the elastic a little, and you will feel that the elastic stretches to tighten the skirt waist. So find the most comfortable stretch for your skirt, mark the length with a pin so you can let go of the elastic while you take off the skirt. Then cut off the excess and secure the end to the skirt. Does this help? Like other costume pieces, it’s one of those things you adjust a few times – or many times in some situations – to get the perfect fit 🙂
You are awesomesauce!!! Thank you!
Aw thank YOU! <3
Hi Mao, I love what you have done with this site teaching us all these wonderful tips. Miss dancing with you.
Love,
Fanny
Aw thank you, Fanny! You and the belt you made for me years ago inspired me to keep learning and making costumes! Miss dancing with you too! *Hugs*
Great helpful info !!Thanks!!
You’re very welcome, Angelina. I’m glad I could help 🙂
Hanks for the tips! Do you have any advice for how to do the opposite of this, though? How would you advise taking a premade mermaid skirt and making it so that the muffin top $oes not happen? Maybe take out the elastic in the sides?
Great question, Meredith! If the skirt comes with an elastic waistband, yes, I’d try taking out the elastic – particularly the front and sides 🙂 Then adjust the fit. You can send me a photo of your skirt to me at mao@sparklybelly.com and I can take a closer look if you like!
How kind of you! Will send photos!
[…] If for some reason the skirt feels too loose, you can add elastic after you finish this part. Here’s a tutorial on how to do that! […]
[…] Finally, do a zigzag stitch along the top and bottom edges as top stitching. If the top part feels a little loose, you can add elastic on the inside as I show in the skirt fitting tutorial here. […]