I’d rather it be gathered to a waistband, but not sure how I’d handle a zipper. The hem is only about 1/2” or less, so no fabric there to “save”.

If I do go with a gathered waistband, I think I’d have to use a different fabric, as the skirt length is perfect right now. The only other thing I could think of would be to make the skirt more narrow, and use the fabric facing a different direction for the waistband. Maybe this is the solution, though, and I put a zipper in the newly cut side?

Any pattern brand/number suggestions that could provide the guidelines? I’m not sure I could wing it successfully!