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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 2/15/07 7:01 PM ET
I'm trying to hem an A-line skirt. But it seems to ripple because when you turn it up there is more material around the bottom then 2" above. Is there is good trick that I don't know? Any help is appriciated.
Posted on: 2/15/07 7:15 PM ET
In reply to Ann+1
Hi Ann; I think there probably truly is more fabric, because the circumference of the skirt is just a tad bit bigger at the bottom than it would be a few inches up. the trick is to ease the extra width in. If you are hemming by hand and gently ease it into place as you work your way around it should be fine. If you are hemming by machine, you will probably want to actually gather it ahead of time by sewing long stitches about a half inch from the edge, and then gather it evenly, and then stitch the hem.
On this page, the third bullet describes the same issue in slacks: Hem info Good luck!
ETA: this page has some nice simple drawings to illustrate the idea.... Easing hem
-- Edited on 2/15/07 7:20 PM --
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On this page, the third bullet describes the same issue in slacks: Hem info Good luck!
ETA: this page has some nice simple drawings to illustrate the idea.... Easing hem
-- Edited on 2/15/07 7:20 PM --
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Viking Lily 545
Viking Ruby
Bernina Activa 210
Brother 1034d
Viking Ruby
Bernina Activa 210
Brother 1034d
Re: Skirt him (posted on 2/15/07 7:56 PM ET)
In reply to Ann+1
am I the only person who cuts their fabric/pattern so the hem allowance is the same size and shape as the skirt or sleeve area when it's folded up?
for example on an A-line....
A skirt
--- fold line
V hem to fold up
...it just seemed easier that way but I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong-ish.
EDIT tried to illustrate with back and forward slashes, but they didn't show up when I submitted. so I tried again and they showed in preview, but not when I submitted. So I had to use As and Vs.
-- Edited on 2/15/07 8:00 PM --
for example on an A-line....
A skirt
--- fold line
V hem to fold up
...it just seemed easier that way but I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong-ish.
EDIT tried to illustrate with back and forward slashes, but they didn't show up when I submitted. so I tried again and they showed in preview, but not when I submitted. So I had to use As and Vs.
-- Edited on 2/15/07 8:00 PM --
Posted on: 2/16/07 0:39 AM ET
In reply to dyno
Sounds like a really smart idea. You won't be the only one anymore.
Posted on: 2/16/07 0:58 AM ET
In reply to dyno
I think I know what you're talking about. The A-line pattern follows this ( / ) shape down to the hemline - and, at the hem you turn it up by the depth you want - then cut the hem along the same cutting edge as the skirt. When folded down again the hem would have a shape like this ( ). Is that what you mean? I do that now too...after learning the hard way. 
-- Edited on 2/16/07 0:59 AM --
2nd attempt, don't know why it won't show once posted but what's supposed to be in that blank set of parentheses is a (backslash).
-- Edited on 2/16/07 1:02 AM -- Okay, I give up!
-- Edited on 2/16/07 1:04 AM --
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-- Edited on 2/16/07 0:59 AM --
2nd attempt, don't know why it won't show once posted but what's supposed to be in that blank set of parentheses is a (backslash).
-- Edited on 2/16/07 1:02 AM -- Okay, I give up!
-- Edited on 2/16/07 1:04 AM --
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“Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.”
~Garrison Keillor~
~Garrison Keillor~
Posted on: 2/16/07 6:04 PM ET
In reply to Reggies Mom
*L* you had the same problem I did trying to use the slash characters to illustrate.
but yes, I think you are expalining the same thing. glad to hear others do this.
but yes, I think you are expalining the same thing. glad to hear others do this.
Posted on: 2/16/07 7:48 PM ET
I had meant to reply to you earlier but must have forgotten to hit the post button!
You will notice that some patterns have that design detail, where the hem area angles as a mirror image to the section (sleeve, leg, whatever) above it. This is very useful for some fabrics, which don't ease well, but not very for others which ease &/or shrink nicely (steam when turning up).
-- Edited on 2/16/07 8:23 PM --
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You will notice that some patterns have that design detail, where the hem area angles as a mirror image to the section (sleeve, leg, whatever) above it. This is very useful for some fabrics, which don't ease well, but not very for others which ease &/or shrink nicely (steam when turning up).
-- Edited on 2/16/07 8:23 PM --
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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Posted on: 2/16/07 8:48 PM ET
In reply to AnneM
Quote: AnneM
This is very useful for some fabrics, which don't ease well, but not very for others which ease &/or shrink nicely (steam when turning up).
This is very useful for some fabrics, which don't ease well, but not very for others which ease &/or shrink nicely (steam when turning up).
thanks, good to know.
I don't really use package patterns so I hadn't seen this elsewhere.
Posted on: 2/16/07 9:33 PM ET
A quick trick I learned sometime ago from a segment of Sewing with Nancy is to use your machine without thread to ease --- unthread the top of the machine and then run the fabric through but hold your finger behind the foot so that the fabric bunches up. This works great for hems and sleeve heads where there is a little ease.
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2012 : starting stash 386, net additions 206, used 164, ending stash 428...I'm never going to get in front of this pile of fabric!
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