sewing problem

[aimeekitty]

anyone have some suggestions for getting a really nice finished hem on the bottom of a skirt?

The fabric is somewhat see-through.

previous attempts have gotten weird bunched up wrinkly spots. I'm guessing this is due to it being a big curved surface. but I'm not really sure...

does notching the inside of the hem prevent this?.... or....?

I'd really like the hem to look nice on this one.

any suggestions or tips welcome!

Comments

[cassu-bean.livejournal.com]

You could sew a hem around it with a different fabric and make it a feature.
If you want the bottom of the dress fully round [sticking out] find some plastic straps and sew them into the hem!

Hope they helped.. I haven't done any sewing for a couple of months! ^^;

[ncsujen.livejournal.com]

Some small horsehair braid would also help if you want your skirt weighted a little.. is this a sweep-train kind of deal, or are you just hemming it to floor-lenth on you?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it's kinda tea-length actually!

[ncsujen.livejournal.com]

You probably don't need to worry about stiffening it to hold it out then :)

^^

[sabashii.livejournal.com]

If sewing it is giving you a headache, I'd suggest using some "stitch witchery" to hem along the bottom. With flimsy, delicate materials it can give you more control than a sewing machine, since you use an iron to fit it together. It's basically an iron-on glue like heat and bond, but you can get it in pre-measured strips all set for hemming at just about any place that sells sewing goods! ^_~ That's what I'd do, anyways. ^^V

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

Notching the inside of the hem is crucial for curved edges, period. There are also special hemming methods that you can use for fragile fabrics; I can go through some of my sewing books for you if you like.

[twjudy.livejournal.com]

Ditto!

So, you sew your lining to your fabric, right sides together at the bottom hem. Then, cut little v's into the seam allowance, as close to the stitching line as you can get. Then, when you flip it inside out, you won't have any bunching.

[silent-girl.livejournal.com]

I know little about sewing! *winces* However, you could try fabric glue along the edge first, and once that is dry, strengthen it with a normal hem stitch. This way, there won't be any tearing or bunching.

[ncsujen.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing this is a flimsier material like chiffon or another gauzy synthetic. The easiest way to hem this kind of material that I've found is to do a roll hem. Usually this will take into account the teensy bit of extra material due to the curved line of the skirt.
Notching really works best with heavier material, at least it has in my experience.
If you're using a machine instead of hand-stitching, go VERY slowly. I would even recommend doing a larger stitch to make it easier to take out and re-sew if you get those puckers. The smaller the stitches you use the more it is going to "pull" the material and make it look bunch-y.
Hope this helps!!

hmmm

[tristencitrine.livejournal.com]

you can do a very simple rolled hem with a roller hem foot for your machine (most places that carry presser feet and this one should set you back no more than 12 bucks). It helps you make those super-tiny professional looking rolled hems:

http://www.janome.com/product_show.php?id=8

With one of these, you can do it in no time at all! (Can you tell I'm LOVING all the new feet I got lately? XD)


If you don't want to buy a foot, then the other suggestions would wouk great as well.

Re: hmmm

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

wootwoot, I got one today!

[s8venus.livejournal.com]

you may need a VERY sharp, very thing needle for that kind of fabric. You maybe your needles just dull!

[s8venus.livejournal.com]

I ment to say thin.....damn "natural keyboard"

[lindze.livejournal.com]

i just liked reading everyones responses for my own benifit. you have talented friends!
i dont have anything to offer, but my mom used to be a pro seamstress and i know she always either did a rolled hem like people said, on sheer materials, or did a hand stitch slipstitch all the way around. she did that for my wedding dress >_< but id never tell someone to do something that insanely tedious!!

[lizzieluvsyou.livejournal.com]

Have you tried a narrow hem? I use it on circle skirts all the time ^^
How I do it is to do a basic surge on my machine (it's a regular sewing machine, but it has some sort of weird surged stitch option) and then fold it under so that the serging is inside. Then stitch regularly. If you want to do it without serging, try folding under 1/4 inch, and then do it again. Does that make sense? ^__^;;