Skirt - alternatives to a dart?

[SuperNerky]

Hi everyone,
Like the title says I'm looking for an alternative to putting a dart in a skirt, as I pinned my skirt to see what it looked like, it seems to distort the bottom on the skirt. It's about 4" too big in the waist, it's a UK20 but depending on the skirt and brand I usually wear a UK16 - UK20 so I'm a bit surprised with how big it is.

SKIRT PHOTO - http://s1142.beta.photobucket.com/user/nerkysera/media/Capture-2_zps09e64f53.png.html

I haven't much experience at sewing, so I saw this [elastic directly sewn to the waistband tut] but it ended up pretty wavy. It's okay in a way, I wear cardigans most of the time so it hides the back, but don't think it'll last that long. I imagine this happened because of the amount put on to get it the right size.

SKIRT WITH CRAP SEWING - http://s1142.beta.photobucket.com/user/nerkysera/media/1Sera/DSC_1676_zpsc157b99f.jpg.html

Is shirring properly with elastic thread the only way to go or have I another choice?
I appreciate anyone taking the time to reply on this.

[String_Of_Cranes]

Did you make one 4-inch dart? That's bad news bears. Try pinning eight 1/2 inch darts, that might suit you better.

[SuperNerky]

Did you make one 4-inch dart? That's bad news bears. Try pinning eight 1/2 inch darts, that might suit you better.

I didn't make any dart, I only pinned it. A smaller dart sounds like a good idea, I'll see how it looks pinned first. Thanks for the advice!

[kjlutz]

lots of small ones would work evenly spaced around the top, or really long ones at each side seam might also work so that the angle of the darts is gradual. 

[SuperNerky]

lots of small ones would work evenly spaced around the top, or really long ones at each side seam might also work so that the angle of the darts is gradual. 

There's a zip on one side of the skirt, would it be bad to do a dart beside it, would it look silly?

[Ludi]

Pleats can also take the place of darts.

[SuperNerky]

Pleats can also take the place of darts.

I never would have thought of that for a waistband, thanks so much 

[kjlutz]

lots of small ones would work evenly spaced around the top, or really long ones at each side seam might also work so that the angle of the darts is gradual. 

There's a zip on one side of the skirt, would it be bad to do a dart beside it, would it look silly?

It shouldn't be a problem as long as you are careful not to mess with the zipper.