Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hemming a Circle Skirt, Part One
Hello, friends! When I posted my version of Vogue 8615, a few of you mentioned wanting to make this as your first dress project. This is a great choice for a beginner, but the hem is a little tricky since it's a circular shape. So I thought I'd do a little two-part video series showing you how to make a narrow hem on this kind of skirt. (A narrow hem is the best choice, since you won't have to deal with easing in the fullness on a wider hem.)
In this first part, you'll see how I marked the hem on my skirt. This involves putting the dress on a dressform and using a mark on a wall to get a level hem all the way around. (You'll see what I mean!)
I had wanted this to be a one-part video, but it got a little long. So watch out for the next part soon!
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Good idea using the wall to make measuring easier. In my experience I would let the dress hang for more than a day though. I week, at least. And the fabric can actually keep stretching for a long time, so if you have long skirts that stop excatly at floor lenght they should actually be stored lying down.
ReplyDeleteSuch a clever girl you are! Thanks for the wall tip.
ReplyDeleteHemming a circle skirt is no ease task. I have some thing that was my mom's when she was in high school. It's a yard stick on a stand (it stands vertically) and it has a metal pin gauge that can move up and down the yard stick. You put the yard stick so it is under your dress/skirt and set the gauge for where you want to pin it. You can pin a 1, 2 or 3 inch hem. Then you have some one pin around the hem. (If this makes any sense) If I'm alone I put the garment on my dress form. It works great. I am not sure what this is called, a hem marker maybe, or if they make them any more. It's great for full skirts. They come out nice and even.
ReplyDeleteI really appreicate all of your videos. I am a beginner and am learned so many great tips. Your blog is one of my favorites. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnother great video! :) I like the tip for marking the wall and using that to keep the hem even. Normally I just use a yardstick to marking it (measuring down from the CF waist to my preferred length, as you do, and then measuring from the floor to that pin mark). But I'll have to give your wall tip a go next time I'm hemming a full skirt! :)
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
I agree, letting the dress hang for a few days is very important for most fabrics.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I've done circular skirts, I usually draft a facing for the hem. That way I get whatever length hem I want, as well as a little added weight which usually enhances the look of the skirt. Of course, added weight = possibility for more stretching. Therefore, the faced hem is made out of a much lighter, complementary fabric.
Just a couple of things that have worked for me -
Oh, and I love those measuring sticks!
Thank you for the wall tip! I'm so excited to try this method. Those dern circle skirt hems.
ReplyDeleteI use a yardstick for all my skirts - although I've never done a circle skirt! I want to though. My back hem is normally too short if I measure it evenly - I haven't tried it on my dressform. To remedy this - I have Jonathan mark from the floor using a yardstick and then we mark it with pins or chalk all the way around. I like to see this alternate method though!
ReplyDeleteI have a big booty and my hem lines need to be adjusted to compensate for it (shorter in front, longer in the back). If I did this method it would turn out all wrong on me, sadly. Just a word of caution for bootylicious babes like myself!
ReplyDelete- Backseat Betty
That was so helpful. I never knew to do this. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a dress form on a stand (as mine is home made) so when I make skirts I have to recruit a friend or family member to mark the hem height on for me much the same as you have done in the video but using a stick to gauge the height of the hem from the floor.
ReplyDeleteThere are also nifty gadgets that can blow a puff of chalk onto the skirt at the same height while you're wearing it. (eg: http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/acatalog/Freestanding_Chalk_Hem_Marker.html )
Both of these two methods are good for people like me and 'backseat betty' who have to make their skirts longer at the back to account for extra booty.
I love the way you think & the clever way you present your tips & ideas. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI love you SO much Gertie! That video was exactly what I needed as a refresher, it's been decades since I hemmed a circle. My mother had a gadget that tailors use that stands on the floor, adjusts to the hem height and then puffs chalk dust in a line! Someone needs to re-invent it.
ReplyDeleteYou also have the most BEAUTIFUL ink I have ever seen! (((((HUG)))))
Pam {aka StrangePuppy}
That wall marker is such a clever tip! Thanks so much for sharing
ReplyDelete