You should probably STOP sewing curved waistbands

[@InsidetheHem]

Have you tried both curved and straight waistbands in high-waisted garments? Which one worked best for you?

[@ali21pei]

Great information. It’s hard because this is obviously so individualized to each persons own body. I do not have a “flatter” section of my waist running down the sides of my body (excepting the line along my rib cage), but where my natural waist sits, it definitely has a defined “dip or nip” in. So for me, I have found the curved waistbands (that should hit at my natural waist) fit exceptionally better 9 times out of 10 compared to straight waistbands that would sit at that spot. Also, I have found that with curved waistbands, I don’t get the “rollover” crease in that part of the garment from daily wear/movement/sitting because the waistband settles correctly on my body. Again, I don’t think this is a hard and fast rule as much as a way to really individualize and tailor a pattern or garment to our own unique bodies and curves. As with most other sewing topics, no exact right or wrong way to do it. Just preference.

[@InsidetheHem]

Great insight! I just want people to not be accepting of one way as the right way, as you said. Somehow curved waistbands became the "right way" and it's not always the case.

[@tammymasson2343]

The online sewing community has really opened my eyes to the freedom of changing things to really personalize my fit and taste. Your discussion about waistbands was another ah-ha moment for me. Thanks!

[@BudgetSew]

Oh wow! I had no idea! Great visual showing the differences between the two. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@InsidetheHem]

You are so welcome!

[@tishie42]

As usual, darts save the day on curves! Thank you for sharing this!

[@rivereye22444]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for the great demonstration and explanation, I will now go and get my tissue paper 😄💯

[@kathycasey9521]

Very interesting. Thanks!

[@denisedorsey2889]

What great information. I’m going to be making my first skirt in a few weeks. Definitely sewing up a muslin. I will refer back to this video if (when) I need to adjust the waistband. It’s fun to see how you are using your ditto form. I remember when you got it. 😊

[@mii-chin143]

Great help! Am sewing my first skirt ever and waistband, where I'm drafting my own pattern. Read a lot about curved vs straight waistbands but can't really decide but now it's much easier! 🥰

[@mylittlecanvas9719]

Oh my oh my... Thank you! I've been looking for this crucial info & that's an awesome idea. No more flappy waistband for me! Thank you! ❤️

[@bethsicilia8058]

Thank you. Finally clear to me -I am an upside-down unicorn. Of course! Proud of it!

[@InsidetheHem]

LOLOLOL! You do you!

[@donitatoavs]

Great information! I never though of this before. Thank you!

[@chloemccall2293]

upside down unicorn 😂😂😂 Thank you so much for this explanation!

[@romanalaister9899]

I ALWAYS have to make the curved waistbands even more curved when they sit on my natural waist 😃 But I am short waisted and have a swayback.

[@sandraash6225]

Thanks for the information. This becomes perfectly clear now.

[@KimberlyNichols]

Thank you for this! So helpful!

[@MangseMonie]

Thank you! I'm doing a wide and high waistband and every other tutorial I found was preaching that curved was the only way to go and I couldn't understand because bottoms of my fitted top patterns are not curvy, they're like squares with inclining sides

[@maureencullen1008]

Brilliant information.

[@Bushrasew]

Thanx this is so helpful

[@courtneyx9845]

I made pants from a lutterloh pattern and of course all of the waistbands are straight. I had to draft a curved one. It was so much easier than I thought it would be and the fit was perfect.

[@vintagegirl68]

This is a good point!

[@heatherthrone9999]

Hooray for the DITTO.

[@puzzlesgd]

I have a short torso & my waist is at my belly button. My rise in the front is short. I'm interested in experimenting with both waistbands. Thank you for insight.

[@ayame1957]

Most of the patterns i'm finding have contour bands. I have always made the straight bands. My daughter and I BOTH have high hip bones and smaller waists. RTW pants are usually a nightmare for me (ALWAYS a gap in the back, sometimes pulling in the seat as well. Is there any way to convert a pants pattern for a contour band to use a straight waistband?

[@InsidetheHem]

Of course there is!! I might even have a video for it. I can’t remember for sure. But it’s just putting little wedges in the wb making the bottom a little longer that the top.

[@glockstitch]

Is the dart in the band visible when you do that?

[@InsidetheHem]

No. You’d transfer it to the pattern piece and cut your fabric with the new pattern piece.

[@catherinejameson2168]

Super helpful. Playing with top down center out. I've done the method you showed (taking a few tucks) with a straight waistband before. I feel like otherwise even with a straight waistband I get a gap in the back. My question with high waisted pants is they do hit your ribs, right? So then you need breathing room? Or do most people have a bigger gap between the top of the hip and lower ribs?

[@marybethpazdernik9783]

TDCO - Ruth has made pant fittingvso much easier by sharing her method with all sewists.

[@drkatel]

Novice here attempting my first skirt. I found this video because I searched “troubleshooting waistbands.” It’s going to take me a while to figure out what works for me. I have no curves, am short-waisted, no butt…but now that I’m post-menopausal I seem to be rounder in the middle. No waistband fits me particularly well so I’m not even sure where to start.

[@InsidetheHem]

Start with a straight one, wrap it around your body, and pinch out any excess just like I did. If there isn’t any, make a straight waistband!!

[@stonecrestquilt]

When you have a ditto form, is there anything the company can adjust if you lose weight? If you gain weight I guess you could pad it out. But what about losing weight? I’ve been steadily losing weight since May(30 lbs lost). I have some skin hanging under my arms and stomach and I’ve lost my butt. I think my upper chest has shrunk too. Sigh..

[@InsidetheHem]

Yes! They will do a video call with you to walk you through how to shave down the foam! I had to do it to one shoulder blade and it was so easy. Sort of like slicing bread?! LOL!

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

Hmmmm. Interesting.