Pin the hip-lines, waist-lines, and hem-lines of the gores together. Place as many pins as necessary between these points. If it is necessary to baste the skirt before trying it on, observe the general rules (page 353). If the skirt is simple, it may be turned at this time on the line of the hem, and the hem may be basted into place. This will give a better feeling when the skirt is first tried on. At the placket extend the basting of the seam on each side, in order that a good fine for the fitting may be observed. The placket is generally about 12 inches deep.

If a tuck opening is desired or a seam stitched on the outside, the gore edge or center front of the skirt is generally turned toward the wrong side on the line of marking, basted if necessary, and then pressed. The gore to which this edge is to be sewed is then placed perfectly flat on the table and the pressed edge of the first gore placed just to the line of marking on the second gore. The waist-line, the hip-lines, and the hem-lines of the gores must be made to coincide. Pin the gores carefully in place, and baste them.

In basting darts in a skirt, begin at the point of the dart and work toward the waist. Care must be taken to keep both sides of the dart smooth. When observed on the right side, the dart should form a line at right angles to the* waist-line or a line with a slightly outward curve like the curve of the body. Darts should not be cut open until after the fitting.