Thread: Can i shorten a skirt with a curly, wired hem?

I have a gorgeous costume i recently bought, but it is too long, the bottom of the skirt has a curly hem, not sure what you call it, wired hem, etc?

Can i get it taken up or will it ruin the overall look of the skirt?

I'm afraid i may have to sell if i can't alter it..g.:

Thanks.

Can you roll the skirt down from the top?

It has a belt part attached to the skirt, so can't be rolled down.

Thanks.

Can you remove the skirt from the belt and shorten from the top, then reattach? Or fold the skirt up under the belt part on the top?

You should be able to alter it. Can you post a photo so we can be of more help with suggestions? If all else fails, shorten it at the bottom and redo the wired hem. A seamstress experienced with ballgown alterations should be able to do this.

Thanks for suggestions.

Will post a photo later so you can see what it looks like.

Thanks.

Is the skirt made of half circle panels?

You really can't shorten a circle skirt from the top. It will never hang evenly.

You can shorten the skirt from the bottom, but you will have to sacrifice the wired edge unless you are willing to sew it in again.

To shorten the skirt from the bottom you need to put it on and stand on a chair, and have someone mark the correct length every couple of inches by measuring with a measuring stick *up from the floor*. Then you spread it out by section and cut. Then you let it hang for a week or so. Then you put it back on and have someone remeasure to see if it still hangs evenly or if it needs to be retrimmed.

Then you edge finish and, if desired, sew the wire back in.

It is a fairly huge task.

This is why, at 5'4", I never buy costumes that can't easily be hemmed up or aren't already the correct length for me.

Originally Posted by Souzan

Can you remove the skirt from the belt and shorten from the top, then reattach? Or fold the skirt up under the belt part on the top?

This is I shorten 25-yard skirts so I only have to deal with a yard or two of fabric instead of hemming the entire 25-yard bottom edge. (I just fold it between the tiers.) This way I don't have to redo the waistband. On some skirts, it’s okay to leave that extra fabric in place too, so that way it can let back out if someone taller takes ownership later.

Thanks everyone.

Have added a few pictures, hope that will explain it better.

Thanks.

absolutley beautiful. I'm not an expert but some of my costumes like that, I've taken up the skirt from the top and just sew to the belt portion.

How many inches do you need it hemmed?? that could really be the determining factor of what you can and cannot do with it.

I have nothing new to contribute to the altering, as I think it's been covered above. But I had to say, I really love this skirt--gorgeous. Hope you get it worked out to fit.

These hems are sewn with a certain type of rolled hem foot attachment and fishing line (I forget which gauge), which makes the rolled hem curl. You feed the fishing line and the fabric wraps around it. I've always been too scared to try. But someone who does professional alterations would be able to do it (this would avoid removing and rehanging the skirt). You might look for people who do alterations on wedding or formal wear...

Ssipes, have you had problems shortening a circle skirt from the top? I'm about to do this to a chiffon circle skirt, because I do NOT want to re-cut and trim another lettuce hem all the way around! Nooooooooooo! I was just going to iron a fold all the way around, sew it in place, and tack it up. That way it can be let down again for a taller dancer if needed. Do you think this is a mistake? I suppose if it turns out awful, I could just take it out and then force myself to redo the hem... ..c::

After seeing the picture, I would put the skirt on inside out. Have a friend help you pin the extra length to the inside of the belt and tack in place. That way, you can let it out if you decide to sell down the road.

Thanks for all your help, will see what i can do.

Not sure now whether to sell to someone who it will fit without altering, have also got a turquoise costume on it's way to me, so not sure i need 2..g.:

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Roeska

These hems are sewn with a certain type of rolled hem foot attachment and fishing line (I forget which gauge), which makes the rolled hem curl. You feed the fishing line and the fabric wraps around it. I've always been too scared to try. But someone who does professional alterations would be able to do it (this would avoid removing and rehanging the skirt). You might look for people who do alterations on wedding or formal wear...

Ssipes, have you had problems shortening a circle skirt from the top? I'm about to do this to a chiffon circle skirt, because I do NOT want to re-cut and trim another lettuce hem all the way around! Nooooooooooo! I was just going to iron a fold all the way around, sew it in place, and tack it up. That way it can be let down again for a taller dancer if needed. Do you think this is a mistake? I suppose if it turns out awful, I could just take it out and then force myself to redo the hem... ..c::

Well, I am picky about circle skirts. I want them to hang evenly all the way around. I tried taking one up from the top once and it did not work well.