Perhaps you've lost some weight and your favorite skirt is now too big. Or maybe you found the perfect skirt and the only one left was a size too large. Paying for the needed alterations to save these skirts can get expensive, but with just a little sewing experience, you can alter the skirt yourself and save lots of cash.
![before and after altered skirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/ee5ef326-647b-419e-b4d7-5ddd2ddb0da7.jpg)
Video of the Day
Things You'll Need
Pins
Seam ripper
Dress form (optional)
Sewing machine with a universal 90/14 needle
Sharp scissors
Iron and ironing board
Hand-sewing needle
Tip
This alteration works best for a skirt with the zipper in the back.
![too large skirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/8818714c-0817-4e24-bb1a-f368f21786b5.jpg)
Step 1
If you're not changing the hemline of the skirt, use a seam ripper to remove 4 inches of hem stitching on each side of the side seams. If you're shortening or lengthening the skirt, remove the entire hem with the seam ripper.
Video of the Day
![remove hem stitching](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/2fc9b14a-7b33-44d8-a192-460fa5a35477.jpg)
Step 2
Put your skirt on inside out and have a friend pin down both side seams of the skirt so it fits you perfectly. Make sure both sides are pinned evenly.
![pin skirt sides](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/8b19f1d0-71c6-4445-8c5e-5154d285cdf4.jpg)
Tip
You can use a dress form for this step if you happen to have one, but it isn't necessary.
Step 3
Measure the distance from the pins (which will become your new seam line) to the original side seam stitching. Remember this measurement to use later.
![measure pin distance from seam](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/8f81ea5d-4550-40ba-8537-4d03cfe5aa23.jpg)
Step 4
Remove the pins from the side seams. Use a seam ripper to remove 4 inches of waistband stitching on either side of the side seams.
![remove waistband stitching.](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/df953d4b-c09c-416e-962a-45940f43540b.jpg)
Step 5
Use the seam ripper to open the side seams of the waistband and the waistband facing.
![remove waistband side seams](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/d793b1ac-b66c-46e8-b46b-58e94086fc05.jpg)
Step 6
With the right sides together, use the measurement from the pin line to pin the new seam line on the waistband. For example, if your friend pinned 3/4 inch in from each original seam line, then you will pin 3/4 inch in from the original seam line.
![pin new side seams](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/65ea9e4e-9610-4825-8196-3f50c4f77400.jpg)
Step 7
Continue to pin this measurement in from the original seam line down the entire skirt.
![new side seam](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/be6c0b90-ed97-4096-977e-b5fd0a1f4d68.jpg)
Step 8
Sew along the pin line, removing the pins as you sew.
![sew side seam](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/2e877d5d-7799-4df1-8392-ad0db0ff8b95.jpg)
Step 9
Trim the seams to create a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
![trim new seams](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/f00224e1-4273-4668-91b8-3b41acd162c6.jpg)
Step 10
Use an iron to press open the seam allowances.
![press open seam allowances](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/6f72aa7c-d016-4437-aee1-d234c6f2eaa6.jpg)
Step 11
Topstitch close to the new seams on the waistband, on the facing and down each side of the skirt.
![topstitch](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/56523868-b9a5-418b-a5ef-f978cbd9324b.jpg)
Step 12
Re-pin and sew the opened waistband and facing seams. Remove the pins as you sew.
![pin and sew waistband seams](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/b3997f08-ca11-4546-bcc0-62a2ae797eae.jpg)
Step 13
Fold the waistband facing back under the waistband and topstitch close to the top edge.
![topstitch waistband](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/22ea3eab-1c51-4292-86e9-847c81bd0183.jpg)
Step 14
Use a hand sewing needle and a blind hem stitch to resew the hem. If you are shortening or lengthening the skirt, press and pin the new hem line to your desired length, then stitch.
![resew the hem](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/73ee9e6f-a4ec-41b5-bdee-14afe2a1927d.jpg)
Now you have the perfect fit.
![altered skirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/af43a48c-08c7-476b-afaa-f56cfdb9a559.jpg)
![altered skirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/a3eac2b9-225d-4814-a94d-0db3c393f25f.jpg)