How to Measure for a Skirt Alteration

Measure waist, hips and hem length for a proper fit.

Skirts bought in a store often don't fit properly. The only two ways to ensure proper fit is to make a custom skirt from scratch or to alter a store-bought skirt. The first step to altering a skirt is to measure your body and the skirt to ensure the correct adjustments. The three measurements needed for the alteration are the waist circumference, the hip circumference and the hem length.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Bring the measuring tape around the waist where it naturally curves in, about an inch above the belly button. Slip two fingers under the measuring tape to make sure it's not too tight. This will be the waist measurement.

2. Measure around the fullest part of the hips. This will be the hip measurement.

3. Measure the distance between your waist and where you want the skirt to fall. This will be the hem measurement.

4. Lay the skirt flat on a table and measure across the waistline. Multiply this measurement by 2 to get the waist measurement of the skirt.

5. Measure across the hips of the skirt, about 4 inches below the waistline, and multiply this number by 2 to get the hip measurement of the skirt.

6. Measure from the waist to the hem of the skirt to get the hem measurement.

7. Subtract the body measurements from the corresponding skirt measurements to determine how much the skirt needs to be adjusted.

Tips & Warnings

• If the skirt is too small and material needs to be added, subtract the skirt measurements from the body measurements to determine how much fabric will be needed..

References

• Transprism Shop: How to Take Measurements
• Stitch and Hem: How to Take Measurements
• Leena's.com: Drafting Patterns for Women's Basic Skirt