Waist Facing & Waistband

Mastering the Art of Sewing Waist Facings and Waistbands with an Invisible Zipper!

Waist Facing

1. Overlock or zig-zag the hem of the waist facing. Pin one side of the zipper to the fabric seam. Make sure that the top edge of the zipper extends by ½ inch (1.2 cm) beyond the fabric.

2. Use a zipper foot on your sewing machine to sew the zipper in place. I suggest gently opening the zipper teeth with an iron. This makes it easier to stitch closer to the zipper teeth.

3. Pin the waist facing to the skirt with the right sides of the fabrics facing each other.

4. Sew along the waist edge. Remember to backstitch. Be careful not to sew over the top stop of the zipper; keep the stitch line above it.

5. Sew the waist facing to the zipper.

6. Pull the waist facing right side out, and press with an iron.

Waistband Method #1

1. Prepare the waistband by ironing a layer of the interface on the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the waistband in half and press it with an iron.

2. Pin the waistband to the garment with the right sides of the fabric facing each other.

3. Stitch the waistband along the seam.

4. Pin the zipper to the waistband and the garment. Ensure that the top edge of the zipper extends by ½ inch (1.2 cm) beyond the fold line of the waistband.

5. Using a zipper foot on your sewing

machine, sew the zipper starting from

the fold line of the waistband.

6. When you reach the zipper slider, pause

and raise the zipper foot.

7. Carefully pull the slider upwards so that

it passes beyond the needle and the

foot. Note: if you stitch too close to the

teeth of the zipper it might be difficult

to pull the slider up.

8. Make sure that the seam where you

sewed the waistband to the garment

faces upward towards the waistband.

This is important for concealing the

seam later.

9. Turn the waistband inside out. Fold the

seam over and secure it with pins,

ensuring that the fold aligns with the

stitch line underneath.

10. Sew the waistband to the garment

along the side seam, following the

same stitch line as the zipper.

11. Turn the waistband right side out and

pin it in place, aligning its edge with

the stitch line below.

12. Your waistband is now complete.

Waistband Method #2: Using Trim

1. Stitch the waistband to your garment (with the right sides of the fabric facing each other).

2. Pin the zipper to the waistband and the garment. Ensure that the top edge of the zipper extends by ½ inch (1.2 cm) halfway beyond the waistband.

3. Use ready-made trim or make one yourself: Cut a strap from fabric; fold it in half and iron; fold each edge towards the middle fold line; close the trim and press with an iron.

4. Place the trim over the edge of the waistband.

5. Pin the trim to the edge of the waistband.

6. Stitch the trim to the waistband.

7. Fold the waistband in half towards the

zipper. The top edge of the zipper

should fold under by ½ inch (1~1.2cm).

8. Using a zipper foot, stitch the waistband

to the zipper.

9. Make sure to backstitch on both ends.

10. Turn the waistband right side out.

11. Pin the waistband in place and stitch in

the ditch following the original

stitch line.

12. Your waistband is now complete.