Thread: Wire for hem of chiffon skirts

Hello ladies

Has anyone tried putting wire in the hem of a chiffon or lightweight circle skirt? Thinking about trying in in some skirts I'm making, but wasn't sure exactly what to buy. I like the waving/scallop effect it has.

Thanks!
Gwen

When I use a shell hem foot on my sewing machine the edges of the skirt ruffle up themselves as I sew (and the bias stretches).

I think I have also heard of people doing this also by sewing over clear nylon thread (fishing line).

Depending on the weight of your fabric and the effect you want, you can use fishing line, wire, or horsehair/crin tape.
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-question.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...em-skirts.html
Wire Hem - What kind of wire do you use? - Dance Forums

I'm so glad you posted! I've been wondering how to do this....love those curly hems...g.:

Thanks so much Tourbeau! I tried a search on the forum before I posted and didn't find anything - guess I didn't do a good search ;)

I only have my grandmother's old sewing machine which is an antique and does nothing but straight stitch forward, so I would have to feed it in the hem, or put it in on the 2nd "roll up" I'll have to try it and see if it gives the same effect as those that can sew/serge it in.

Probably should get a new fancy dancy sewing machine if keep up on the projects.

Anyone have any pix of this effect? I'm unfamiliar...

Here's a picture from a costume sale. It's usually found in the bottom of Pharaonics full chiffon skirts.
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/euro-zone-...ics-skirt.html

Google images has pics of the different hems. Horsehair has a wider, wavy effect, while wire and fishing line make for a more ruffled edge. Here are two more links...
The Application of Horsehair Braid (crin trim) to Hemlines.
[ame=http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=135132]fishing line/ biased binding hem on skirt - The Sewing Forum[/ame]

I've got a skirt with the fishing line/nylon in it and the curl is really fun.

I always used fishing line, the heaviest possible (they go by the weight they hold). It's really not hard to do and doesn't take a very long time to do it. Also I don't use any special equipment, just a regular sewing machine with the regular foot.

I haven't heard of actual wire being used in skirt hems - does that actually work?

I'd be afraid of real wire poking out. The nylon pokes out just a hair in a few places... if it was wire instead, that might hurt or tear up the skirt a bit.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I'd be afraid of real wire poking out. The nylon pokes out just a hair in a few places... if it was wire instead, that might hurt or tear up the skirt a bit.

If you are feeding the wire through a casing or hem or under a zigzag stitch or serger loops, I would think you would want to turn the ends with a tight loop using a pliers (before insertion for the leading end and after you have determined the proper length for the trailing end). This makes the wire less likely to snag or poke out during the threading process and protects the edges of the garment once in position. You can also buy small ball caps that fit over a wire end (usually sold as end caps for memory wire) at most hobby stores, and a little E6000 or similar adhesive will achieve the same effect of blunting any poking wires.

Other considerations for wire would be does it rust or will it bend if it gets stepped on? My experiences with fishing line have all been good. It's cheap, easy to obtain, comes in excessive lengths, and has a beautiful effect.