Thread: How do I fix the uneven circle skirts after they droop?

I have several circle skirts that are SO uneven after hanging in my closet (I have since learned not to do that). I don't know how to sew a rolled hem, so they are hard to re-hem if I cut them. Any suggestions?

I used to pin the chiffon skirt on the ironing board and then I let it hang for about 1 week and only after I cut the skirt.

If the skirts were not properly prepared before hemming, there's not much you can do but re-cut and re-hem them. If you don't have the equipment to do it by machine and don't want to do it by hand, you could take them to a tailor or ask around at class to see if anyone there would be willing to do the job for you for a small fee.

In the future, it might be helpful to make sure you are hanging your skirts evenly for storage--not just hanging them from two points on a skirt hook, but pinning with multiple clothespins across the bottom of the hanger so the waistband doesn't droop more in some places than others. Fabric that has a tendency to stretch on the bias will anyway, but it may do so more if you're putting uneven stress on the garment.

Oooo, I'm extraordinarily picky, borderline ocd, about my circle skirts hanging evenly. You don't necessarily have to do a rolled hem. I generally do a zigzag overcast with a very small stitch length, so that the stitches are so close together it looks like a solid edging (like a satin stitch) with a closely matched thread color. Make sure you have plenty of the thread because you will go through alot of it.

But first you have to measure, mark, and cut. I am fairly cylindrical (no booty) so I can mark my circle skirts the same length all the way around. I clip the skirt onto a hanger with clothespins so that the waistband is straight and parallel to the floor.

Then I hang the hanger over the top edge of a door. Then I get comfortable with a small stool, fabric marking chalk, and a measuring tape. Starting on one side of the skirt, I clip the the tape so it is even with the waistband and start measuring down from the top. I make a couple of marks and then reposition the tape a teeny bit further across the waist band and continue, ad nauseum, until I've gotten all the way around the skirt. I do lots of reckecking.

Then I spread the skirt out one half circle panel at a time and trim. Hopefully at this point, I've made my marks close enough together than I can connect the dots into a smooth circle with my eyes as a cut.

Then I do the edge finishing as described above.

If you are not cylindrical about the hips, then in order for the skirt to hang evenly, it will have to be a different length in the back vs. front. You will need to have someone else do the measuring and marking while you wear the skirt and stand on a stool or chair. For this method, it is easier to use a yardstick and measure from the floor up.

I would put the skirt on a dress manequin and re-cut the hem line to make sure it's all even, then have someone with a serger finish the edges for you. A serger is a the sewing bellydancer's friend. Particularly when it comes to hems on circle skirts.

If this is a job that will come up a lot, you can invest in a chalk hem marker so you can measure yourself. DELUXE CHALK HEM MARKER - Marking Tools - Supplies - Nancy's Notions

I've often wondered if you could kludge an equivalent sort of device with a much cheaper chalk line reel from the hardware store by suspending the line off the floor and bumping up against it. (String it across a doorway just above the floor with thumbtacks and brush the skirt against it or something?)

Originally Posted by Luccia

I used to pin the chiffon skirt on the ironing board and then I let it hang for about 1 week and only after I cut the skirt.

I use this method also and have the ironing board set for my height.

For a no-sew fix, you could try tucking the wonkiest bits of hem up into your waistband to show off a bit of leg.

Doesn't solve the problem, but it makes it much less inconspicuous!

Wow, thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've never stitched a ziz-zag....maybe its time to learn.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

If this is a job that will come up a lot, you can invest in a chalk hem marker so you can measure yourself. DELUXE CHALK HEM MARKER - Marking Tools - Supplies - Nancy's Notions

I've often wondered if you could kludge an equivalent sort of device with a much cheaper chalk line reel from the hardware store by suspending the line off the floor and bumping up against it. (String it across a doorway just above the floor with thumbtacks and brush the skirt against it or something?)

I have heard that- the issueis the chalk has to be pretty strong and you have to push against it fairly well to get a solid line- mostly you have to snap the line to get a solid line- but it might be worth a shot.

Originally Posted by Nebula

I use this method also and have the ironing board set for my height.

that's pretty genius- not sure how well that works for a girl with a bootie though- I have one hanging in my shower that's almost ready for trimming- might have to try this. :)

Originally Posted by iritle

Wow, thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've never stitched a ziz-zag....maybe its time to learn.

its easy- lol its like sewing a straight line... only at angles.

I actually soak my circle skirts in water and hang them in the shower till they're dry before I even out the bottom and cut them. The weight of the water speeds up the "growing" process. I've got more details about circle skirts here: Shushanna Designs: Circle Skirts

^ yeppers

I soak mine for a bout a week- mostly b/c I'm anal retentive and I want to make sure they are all stretched- and rarely do I have a lot of time during the week anyway

Originally Posted by Basha

that's pretty genius- not sure how well that works for a girl with a bootie though- I have one hanging in my shower that's almost ready for trimming- might have to try this. :)

Hmmm, well, I don't have a booty to take into consideration. I pin the top edges of the skirt evenly to the edge of the ironing board, stretching the elastic out and pinning about every 1/2". If I did have the booty factor working for me, I might try pinning first the back 1/2 of the edge to the board and then maybe pulling up and pinning the front 1/2 edge overlapping the back and higher. Then, you could cut the bottom straight and when unpinned, the skirt should be longer in the back but hang right when worn. But, again, I haven't tried this. Maybe try it with a mock up first. Of course, this method does involve much crawling around on the floor with your nose to the ground to get a good straight edge.

yeah I was thinking something about doing half and half- cause really I need the back 2 peices longerish- and the front one shorter... it causes some issues sometimes for sure.

I had a victorian dress I needed for a formal that I made- it was a 2fer so the bottom was completely separate from the top- and I didn't have the time to really do a good hem job- so I took it to the place down the street and it was a very Korean shop to say the least. He stood me up there- and measured a few places in the front- and a few in the back then we took it off and he went to mark it out and kept repeating- its like 2 inch longer here- but shorter here- and I was like yeah I know- he simply could not fathom my dress ACTUALLY needed to be two separate lengths due to anatomic issues. <facepalm>

men- I pretty much live on the floor as is- its just how it has to be!