How to Alter a Skirt to Appear Slimmer

Skirts that are too full and long make you appear larger than you are.

The key to looking and feeling slim is a few minor alterations away. Clothing should flatter your form. Ill-fitting clothing can make you appear larger than you are or highlight flaws, but appropriately altered clothing can help you shed a few pounds by just getting dressed. The keys to slimming skirt are length and proportion. A skirt that is too long or too full will make you look larger than you are.

Things You'll Need

• Needle
• Thread
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from your waist to the middle of your knees. Ideally this is where the bottom of your skirt should fall. If the skirt is too long trim excess length, leaving about an inch for the new hem. If your skirt is too short, see if you can take out the hem and resew it to add more length.

2. Pin the front of the skirt at the appropriate measurement. Pin the back of the skirt one-quarter inch longer. Curve the sides up slightly as you move towards the sides where the front and back sections meet.

3. Open up the side seams and pin them, tapering them in about an inch on each side from the hips down to the bottom.

4. Sew up the side seams and then the hem, removing the pins as you go.

References

• Mary Roehr: 30 Top Sewing Secrets