Thread: Adding weight to a skirt edge- easy way?

I swapped my abla & the new costume is very pretty & flatters me better (it fits!) but I am used to that heavy, beaded edge. Is there an easy, non-beading way to add weight to the edge of a skirt? 4 kids + 2 jobs & no time easy?

Hi!

If it matches the style of your costume, I would sew some of those biiiiig Swarovski rhinestones around the hem of your skirt or a band with short fringes it it doesn't make the skirt too long, then. That brings some weight and is quick to be done.

Love, Sahira.

Originally Posted by Lara L

I swapped my abla & the new costume is very pretty & flatters me better (it fits!) but I am used to that heavy, beaded edge. Is there an easy, non-beading way to add weight to the edge of a skirt? 4 kids + 2 jobs & no time easy?

Sew metal washers to the inside of the skirt on the seam where you can sew them with out it showing on the outside.

Marya

Originally Posted by Wallowa

Sew metal washers to the inside of the skirt on the seam where you can sew them with out it showing on the outside.

Marya

That's what I was going to suggest too. Get some very small ones at a hardware store and just sew a few in here and there.

Some people like to use ball chain in a skirt or veil hem -- like this:

Ball Chain 2.4mm Silver Color Bulk/Ft

I vote for the sew-on stones! You could put one at the bottom of each of those vertical sequined seams.

Glad to hear it fits!

I haven't got my hands on the Abla yet. It's waiting for me at the local post office. Will have it tomorrow . . ...g.:

Rosette

I've seen people zigzag stitch sequin trim on the bottom edge. That seems a lot easier than sewing the beads and sequins on by hand.

If you add washers consider coating each with clear nail polish. Humidity can cause washers to rust, the rust will usually stain the fabric. Rust can also eat through some fabrics. You can also coat the washers with clear spray paint. We have made small fabric pouches to contain washers. We often used large washers for the additional weight.

this is a little more work than the washers, but you could sew tiny pockets on the inside of the skirt at the bottom and put a coin in them to help weigh it down too

They actually sell lead hemming weights for such diverse uses as period costuming, immersion-baptism gowns, and window curtains. If you are looking for something a bit more nontoxic, you could always make your own out of inexpensive tubular beads by stringing them up on durable thread and basting them into or onto the hem in segments. (This isn't meant to be artistic--the beads are on the inside of the skirt where they won't be seen.) You can also use bigger/fewer beads, but then you run the risk that the skirt will have bulges in the hem where the beads are. I've heard of people sewing pennies into their hems for this, presumably because the pennies are flat, but regardless of what you use, the bigger/fewer method may result in uneven drooping along the hem.

I thought about threading chain through the hem like it was a casing, too. I'd be tempted to go for plated costume-jewelry chain before ball chain, though. Maybe I'm not buying a nice enough grade, but I've had issues with ball chain rusting. You can also find more options in terms of fine gauge and flat links for the other kind of chain, too.

Originally Posted by Rosette

I vote for the sew-on stones! You could put one at the bottom of each of those vertical sequined seams.

Glad to hear it fits!

I haven't got my hands on the Abla yet. It's waiting for me at the local post office. Will have it tomorrow . . ...g.:

Rosette

Oh, good- shipping from Alaska always takes forever, but I was hoping you had it by now! I hope you love it! I don't even have to hem the back of the green one- I think that's a first!

the chain idea is very appealing- I'll have to see if there is some kind of jewelry chain at a reasonable price around here (tho the $30/yard swarovski chain is calling to me!) The washer idea scares me because I can just see me taking out my 4 year old during a practice spin...

Thanks all for the suggestions!