Sewing concept

Waistband preparation

Constructing the tie belt by folding, pressing, and topstitching.

Where it is used

p. 3

Fold the waistband piece in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press it flat.

p. 3

Fold the waistband piece with the right sides together, aligning the short edges. Sew the short edges together using either an overlock or a sewing machine. The seam should be 0.7 cm wide. Be sure to leave an opening for the elastic, about 3 cm. Secure the beginning and end of each stitch. Press the seam flat, then make a small notch along the fold line, stopping about 2 mm before the overlock stitch. Press the seam allowances open in opposite directions.

p. 4

Place the waistband piece and the shorts right sides together, aligning the waistband edge with the top of the shorts. Pin in place, matching the waistband seam with the back center seam. Align the markings on the waistband with the side seams of the shorts and the front center seam. Place the waistband on top with the side that doesn't have overlock stitching facing the shorts. Attach the waistband using the overlocker. Sew from either side.

p. 4

Press the seam allowances toward the waistband. Fold the waistband along the pressed line. Turn the waistband to the wrong side along the pressed edge, pin in place, and baste by hand. Sew the waistband by machine, stitching from the right side into the ditch of the waistband seam. Make sure the inner edge of the waistband is caught in the stitching along the entire seam. Press.

p. 5

Distribute the gathers evenly along the waistband. Pin in place at the side seams, as well as at the center front and back of the shorts. Sew the first stitch 1.5 cm from the top edge of the waistband. As you sew, gently stretch the waistband between the pins. At the point where the seam meets to form a circle, secure it neatly with a backstitch.

p. 5

Sew the second line 1.5 cm below the first. Where the seam meets in a circle, secure it neatly with a backstitch. Press the waistband.