I’m a fan of the french tuck. It’s the perfect combination of volume and shape and is a great way to add a bit of interesting layering to an outfit. I’ve got the waistband-tuck down pat, but what do you do when you’re wearing a dress? Especially when it doesn’t have a defined waist? That’s when a tuck band comes in handy.

You can buy tuck bands pretty cheaply, but even non-sewists can make one for even less, so I thought I’d do a basic sewing project tutorial to how I’ve made mine.

I hesitate to even call this a sewing project, because it’s so simple it barely dignifies the name. In truth, the tuck band is going to be hidden anyway, so really you could just sew two ends of a piece of elastic together and call it a day; but if, like me, you have some left over fabric from something else (this one is made from a Drapers Fabric silk dress I made at the start of the year) why not be boujee, and make it a bit special.

What you’re going to make is basically a scrunchie for your waist, so you want to start with wrapping a bit of wide elastic around your waist, making sure it’s firm but not so tight as to be uncomfortable.

The second measurement is for the casing – the fabric the elastic will be enclosed in. Measure around the widest part of your body (hips or bust) and cut a strip of fabric that’s twice the width + 2cms wider than the strip of elastic and 2cms longer that that measurement (the extra 2cms is for the seam allowance).

Your elastic will be shorter than your fabric.

Fold your strip of fabric in half lengthwise, and sew a seam along the edge so that you end up with a long tube. Turn the tube inside out and give it a press, trying to keep the seam straight.

Grab a big safety pin and put it through the end of the elastic, then use it to feed the elastic through the the tube of fabric (careful not to lose the end into the tube, or you’ll have to start again!). When you reach the other end of the tube, sew the two ends of the elastic together to create a circle. Make sure the elastic isn’t twisted!

Ease one edge of the fabric over the other edge to completely cover the elastic in a delicious silk doughnut, then sew it into place.

Voila! You have your very own tuck band!

Sit it comfortably around your waist, tuck the hem of your jumper up underneath the band, and enjoy the relaxed and effortless chicness!