Thread: 25-yard hem for a shortie on thin cotton fabric

i'm 5'6" and always getting 39" skirts for my 36" hip-to-floor height. Some fabrics are strong enough for me to take up at the waistband, although that's tricky.

this particular skirt is made from extremely thin cotton and i don't think the fabric can withstand the weight of the skirt and the 25-yard hem.

it's 38" long plus I need extra shortness under my belly. my butt takes up a lot of skirt in the back, but i tend to step on the fronts of skirts and I hate that.

so my question is this: shall i hem from the bottom the 2 inches all around, and just hem under 4 inches at the front third? or shall i be more mellow, 2 inches all around and 3 inches at the front third?

And because its 25 yards, should i pin it first to see, or just use a basting stitch so it's easy to rip out?

it's been suggested to take it up between a couple major tiers instead of the bottom. that's' sounding useful.

just so there's extra trouble, the bottom ruffle is only 4 1/2 inches deep. Sigh.

The easiest solution is just to give the skirt to me. ..g.:

I hemmed up my 25 yard skirt by taking it up at seam at the bottom of the first tier (rather than the waistband or bottom). I put it on inside out and pin all the way around - it's easier if you have a buddy to help. And I pin it shorter at the front too, so my bum has more room. :)

Karnak, you don't want a troublesome blue skirt, do you? The tripping and falling I've done in it could be a mojo issue! ;-P

I took it up at the tier above the ruffle instead of the tier just below the waistline. Made the hem go severely crazy!

Now I'm thinking of pulling it out by the threads and trying the tier just below the waistline as was suggested. Hmmmm.

I'd consider removing the top tier and making it into a yoke which is the depth you need to get the skirt short enough.

Your flimsy fashion fabric on the outside and a closely-woven cotton on inside of the yoke.

The smaller (less depth) the yoke, the less gathered it needs to be. A 3.5 - 4" deep yoke (INCLUDING the casing for elastic waistband) doesn't need to be more than 4-6 inches greater in circumference than your hips.

Thanks maurazebra! Good thought.

Taking it in a the bottom of the top tier, is pretty easy, not very much sewing, and makes less of an impact on the hem. But I do like your thought of reinforcing the top tier.

I found a mystery stain last night in the 2nd skirt (same issue as the first) (I wear them together a lot), soaked the spot in Dawn and washed it. It's mostly dry today. Today I plan to do the 2nd skirt, unless I decide to alter my top to fit better.

The crazy thing is that out of about 5 performances we do per year, we only have one left, LOL. Well, I should be ready, LOL.

I just rolled mine at the waist and pinned it flat LOL

(Tribal Bazaar and Flying skirts have a choice of length when you order.)

This fabric is so thin that pinning where there will be any resistance will just tear a hole in the fabric. I did try that. Once with a skirt that is actually made of fabric slightly stronger than these skirts.

Also, where my skirts sit, my body is all soft, and rolled waistbands are very uncomfortable! ... So I guess it's just as well I don't roll.

Believe me, if it worked, I'd do it!

Originally Posted by kemintiri

Tribal Bazaar and Flying Skirts have a choice of length when you order.

I'll have to keep these vendors in mind! The right length would be wonderful! I don't even know what the "right" length is, lol