Things You'll Need:
- A pattern for the type of skirt you are altering.
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Step 1
Measure and mark the length you want the skirt to be all the way around.
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Step 2
Leave 1 1/2 inches from where you want the hem to be and the raw edge (bottom edge of skirt) of the fabric.
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Step 3
Surge the raw edge or fold the edge under 1/2 inch, iron and pin in place.
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Step 4
Sew the hem with a straight stitch.
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Step 5
Remove pins, and press with iron. Then press under where you have marked the hem placement.
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Step 6
Finish by either sewing in place by hand, picking up the smallest amount of fabric on the right side of the skirt to secure, or machine stitch.
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Step 7
Take out pins and press with iron.
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Step 1
Draw an alteration line on the skirt which goes against the natural grain of the fabric.
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Step 2
Cut pattern along the line of the alteration you have drawn.
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Step 3
Lengthen the grain line on the paper, marking the amount of fabric you want to add to the skirt.
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Step 4
Line up the other half of the pattern with the mark you've made as well as with the grain line. Next, tape or pin it in place.
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Step 5
Create a new seam line between the waist and the hip.
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Step 1
Draw an alteration line on the skirt which goes against the natural grain of the fabric.
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Step 2
Fold the pattern along the line of alteration you have made.
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Step 3
Make a pleat in the skirt which is half the amount of fabric by which you wish to reduce the skirt.
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Step 4
Keep the pleat parallel to the line of alteration.
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Step 5
Attach the fold in place by using pints or tape.
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Step 6
Mesh the seam line between the waist and the hip.








