Shorten skirt from waist big tummy.  Most people who have a big tummy prefer to buy their skirts with elastic as the waist.  Shortening a skirt from the hem for these people will mean you are going to be cutting on the bias, because the front is more than likely going to need to be taken up less than the back.  This is because of body shape.  Of course if the person is proportional front and back, the garment could be altered from the hem.  But if the stomach is larger than the bottom, the hem line will be crocked.

Instead of cutting the hem, try shortening from the waist.

Roll the fabric over at the waist.  Do the front first, and put a double pin to make sure it doesn’t undo.  If you are concerned about pinning the person, use safety pins.

Measure from the floor up to the new hem length, then move around to the sides and roll the back up the same about.  Check the length is the same as the front from the floor to the new length.  Move around to the sides and do the same thing.  You should have four safety pins or double crossed pins at the waist band.

When you are preparing the garment, work on these measurements.  The band will be on the bias, but because it’s elastic it should be easy to sew.  You also don’t need to worry about unpicking the band if it’s going up more than one band turn.

Happy altering
Judith aka genie