How to Alter a Maxi Skirt

Maxi

Have you ever bought a skirt then tried it on and realized it was too big? I’m normally a small/medium size skirt and I recently purchased a size extra-large maxi skirt at Kohl’s . . . I had a giftcard AND a coupon for 20% off so it ended up around $9!!! Since it was a knit maxi, I knew I could alter it and be able to wear it. I was able to do it in literally less than an hour and now it fits like a dream! Here’s what I did –

First of all, I compared it to one of my maxis I already had . . . it needed taken in about 4″ on each side. I laid it out, pinned it to keep the seams lined up and in place, then used my chalk marker to mark 2″ in at the waist. Then I measured 8″ down, angled my tape measure, and drew a line. I did that on both sides.

How to Alter a Maxi Skirt

 

Next, I sewed on my yellow line, making sure to back-stitch at my starting and stopping points – creating my new seam.

How to Alter a Maxi Skirt

 

After I sewed my new seam, I zig-zagged right along the edge and trimmed it. I didn’t want bulkiness (is that even a word?) at my waist and hips 🙂

How to Alter a Maxi Skirt

 

Last of all, I tried it on. Perfect fit! In under an hour, I took a skirt that was an extra-large and made it a small/medium. The nice thing about altering maxis is there aren’t zippers or buttons to deal with – I love easy afternoon projects 🙂

How to Alter a Maxi Skirt

I love this skirt and wear it all the time! Here’s a link for it on Kohls.com . . . for some reason they only carry it in plus size and in black 🙁

 

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9 Comments

  1. Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my website something like that.
    Can I include a portion of your post to my blog?

  2. How do I manage one with an elastic waistband?

  3. Very good post. I absolutely appreciate this site. Continue the good work!

  4. Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and in depth information you present.

    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.

    Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my
    Google account.

  5. Hi! I just found your blog thru a google search. Would this work for a Lularoe Cassie skirt (the pencil type skirt)? I am a novice with a sewing machine.

  6. Hayley Doyle

    hey emily
    I made a maxi skirt and its too big in the waist which is elasticated and the fabric is WAY too full. I ma new to sewing . How do I scale this down?

    • Hi Hayley!
      Hmm – did you make it with a casing and elastic in the top? If so, your best option would be to take out the casing and elastic . . . then take in the side seams however much you need to . . . and make a casing again, this time making your elastic smaller {the formula for elastic is “waist measurement X .85”}.
      Let me know if you need any more help!
      Em

  7. Saved as a favorite, I love your site!

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