Adding a drawstring to the elasticated waistband on Edith and Olive!

Hello everyone, 

I've done a little tutorial for you on how to add a drawstring to the elasticated waistband on either Edith or Olive skirt. (click on the names to check out the patterns)

It's an easy detail to add if you'd like to, just follow the steps below before attaching the waistband to the skirt.

Place the waistband piece flat in front of you, wrong side up. First mark the centre front on the waistband piece, then mark the middle lengthwise where the waistband is going to be folded in half, making a cross right in the centre. Mark the seam allowance on the half that's going to be the front of the waistband (pink line at the bottom of the pic). Draw two buttonholes, measuring about 1.25cm (1/2"), about 10cm (4") apart, either side of the centre front line. Make sure they are right in the middle of the space between the centre and seam allowance line. 

Fuse a couple of small pieces of interfacing to the buttonhole area to stabilise it. This will especially help if your fabric is lightweight, slippery or stretchy.  They should be roughly 4cm (1 and 1/2") square. Transfer the buttonhole markings to the interfacing.

Transfer the markings to the right side of the fabric. I used an awl for this. 

Redraw the buttonholes to the right side of the fabric.

Sew the two buttonholes on your sewing machine.

NOTE: If sewing buttonholes is not your favourite thing to do and you'd rather avoid it, you can install two metal eyelets/grommets instead.

Cut them open with a seam ripper, but place a pin at the end so you don't go too far.

Attach the waistband to the skirt and insert the elastic as per the pattern instructions. (see tip on threading wide elastic on my instagram reels) Sew two rows of stitching about 1.25cm (1/2") from either side of the waistband. This will ensure sufficient space in between for the drawstring.

Use anything you like for the drawstring. This is some kind of suede braided cord I've been hoarding for years, no doubt harvested from some RTW garment at some point.

Here's a quick Edith skirt trial I made using a lightweight, bamboo French terry fabric. The drawstring on this is from the same fabric. I cut a thin strip across the grain and pulled it until it rolled. I simply knotted the ends, but I can imagine you can add beads, etc. for added interest. Btw, has the word 'sweatskirt' been invented yet??? Well, you've heard it here first...

NOTE: the pattern worked really well with stretch fabric. I skipped the pockets as I was in a bit of a rush (regretting it already!) and I went down one size to allow for the stretch in the fabric. No other changes apart from using stretch stitches instead during construction. It feels lovely and comfortable and I think it'll be great when the weather is a bit cooler. Now I know that it works, I will definitely be making a summery one in thinner jersey.

This is how it looks when the buttonholes are 10cm (4") apart. You can have them a little closer together if you prefer, although I would not recommend them less than 5cm (2") apart.

Take care and keep creative, Dhurata x