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hemmed anything recently? let me know! i'd love to hear and any tips you have too. please and thank you.
xo,
cb
Thursday, March 15, 2012
hemming hemming hemming
ahhh hemming. it can be sooo satisfying, especially when it comes how nicely and all your efforts are rewarded. recently, i have been doing a bit of hemming. here are a few things that i have shortened recently.
remember this skirt, i thrifted a bit a go? well, i hemmed it to a length that is perfect for me and my height and, i love it. i used a blind stitch hem which i did by hand. i am a visual girl so when i first started sewing a long while ago, i watched youtube videos and looked at a lot of pictures.
i also used a blind stitch hem for this dress that i thrifted last weekend. another dress that i found that had never been worn or washed. it has an old tag on it that maybe puts it around the 70's? i am really bad at telling the era of a dresses sometimes. what i thought was really funny is that i used to have this EXACT style dress from f21. the pockets, the tie back and the button up sweet heart front...oh f21....
this skirt i have had for a while. i have a hard time pairing shoes with longer skirts and riding in it was really weird because it would come up all the way to my thighs. don't get me wrong i have no problem showing a little thigh when riding but it started to be a bit ridiculous while riding so i trimmed it. for this skirt i used a double fold hem and used my sewing machine. this stitch is way easier but i prefer the look of the blind hem.
hemmed anything recently? let me know! i'd love to hear and any tips you have too. please and thank you.
xo,
cb
hemmed anything recently? let me know! i'd love to hear and any tips you have too. please and thank you.
xo,
cb
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gorgeous! they all look much better! well done you :)
ReplyDeletex
Thanks sweetie, coming from you that is a huge compliment! Expert sewer you!
DeleteI am a short-arse so I have to take most hems up! Since December, I have shortened three maxi skirts and one pair of trousers, by three inches each :)
ReplyDeleteYou have been a busy bee! I have not hemmed my own pants but i have for tom before, it was fun, tailored them a bit too. So fun!
DeleteYou've inspired me to go look for old lady stuff at the thrift store and hem it up!
ReplyDeleteOld lady stuff is the best to transform! Let me know if you find anything!
DeleteThat's awesome that you gave these pieces your unique flavor. Each piece looks more fun in their new lengths, AND they look great on you!
ReplyDeleteI like to use a blind hem if I need to fix the length on anything, but I use my machine set to a zig zag stitch. The regular hem, with the exposed stitching is usually what I use if I make my own skirts or dresses.
Can't wait to see what else you breathe new life into!
Thanks, they are now more porpotional for my body. With longer lengths i feel i have to wear heels and i dont like wearing heals all the time. I have never used a zigzag befire, i should try thst, thanks sweetie!
DeleteNo prob. It's a nice trick, blind hemming with a machine, when you don't have time to sew by hand. I don't have the blind hem foot for my machine, so I just eyeball it... but this video is handy in explaining how to blind hem by machine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy8tO03NwLg
DeleteHope you have a good weekend!
I am so jealous. I have so many things that could use a good hem and I am really, truthfully a terrible sewer (?) seamstress (?) Whatever you call it. I can't sew to save my life! I keep trying and don't seem to get better. I am not going to give up though!
ReplyDeleteKeep trying girl! You know what they say, prwctice makes perfect!
DeleteI love all of these! You breathed life into them. :) I will have to try blind hemming. Sewing machines and I don't get along, but I can usually get by sewing things by hand. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDelete-Hope
www.aflatteringtale.com
Thanks sweetie! The blind stitch is easy, just sit on the couch and watch a good movie or show and your set!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing this! I've learned how to stitch as straight of a line as possible for hems but it's just a great pain. This stitch seems so much neater and with less hassle. Now I just need to drag out all the things that need hemming lol.
ReplyDeletexo Amber P.
http://theowlsden.blogspot.com
It looks nicer then a machine swen hem, i think and is super easy! Let me know how it goes.
Deleteomgoodness i wish i could do this by hand on my own! i'll give it a try with a very old piece of clothing or something (just in case i mess it up) they all look marvelous on you!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea, emily! Once you feel confident you can work on something you want hemmed! Good luck sweetie!
DeleteI dont think I've ever hemmed anything in my life although I have a bunch a dresses that need it. These pieces look so much better after the hemming.
ReplyDeleteWhat you need is to take a sewing classes with me! Get on that jet girl!!!
DeleteI really like the look of your dress!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried doing this to any of my clothes, but I really like the idea, might have to give it a go! Knowing me and my sewing skills though I would probably mess it up!
You can do it! I have full faith. Try on something you thrifted that way you have no attachment to it. Give a whirl. Let me know how it goes!
Deletewow they look great! so you stitched them all by hand? my sewing machine is broken right now and i didn't even think about hand stitching. will have to now.
ReplyDeleteJust two of the items i did by hand. Te other black floral skirt, i did with the machine. Try the blind stitch, sooo easy!
Deletereason number four million why i need to live in your backyard: you can hem stuff.
ReplyDeletealso, why are so gorgeous? i LOVE your hair when it's wavy/curly. LOVE!!! <3
yes, hemming makes all the difference for lil ones like us... I have a yellow gingham dress in need of hemming... like asap
ReplyDeleteThey're all adorable, obviously, but I luuuurve the dress! I'll have to get the thread untangled from my sewing machine and haul the old girl out for spring DIY-ing.
ReplyDeleteI need to start hemming my britches, but I'm so scared to even try sewing on something I actually want to wear! So far I've just practiced on a scrap of fabric. haha! I love the lengths that you shortened these to. It's a great length on you!
ReplyDeleteThese look awesome! Ah if only you were my neighbor. i end up not wearing so many skirts and dresses because they need to be hemmed or altered. All the "after" photos look great. Certainly more flattering, I especially like how the dress turned out the shape of the dress remained and it compliments you so much better! All great prints too!
ReplyDeleteI needed to see this post! I have a small pile of dresses that need taking up. Like you I prefer dresses and skirts just above the knee - definitely better for cycling!
ReplyDeleteI just wondered though, how do you do the measuring/snipping? That's the bit I find hard: the sewing I can handle (I admit I'm not adverse to a machine-stitched rolled hem from time to time). I have a pretty dress hanging in my kitchen waiting to be salvaged from a botched cutting-shorter attempt! Any tips welcome!
when i measure i have tom chalk where i want it because if i do it then the fabric ends up moving and then it will be shorter then i want. it is best to have someone help you with that part. once i have a point of measure then i take my measuring tape and chalk off the rest of the skirt. then from that measurement i cut about a inch and a half from my hem line. that way it leaves room for folding the fabric over. i use a iron once i have folded the fabric and then pin to keep it in place...then you are all set to start sewing! let me know if this helped sweetie!
DeleteThank you so much for this helpful reply! I think the bit about getting someone else to chalk off the desired length is a fab idea (that definitely would have helped me with the messed-up dress) I think also having some better chalk would help so I can see what I'm doing - mine just doesn't seem to leave much of a mark. Also patience: measuring around the whole skirt more rigorously would have been a good plan too!
DeleteSo thanks, yes, that did really help and I will let you know once I get the dress all fixed up :)
i am so glad this helped! i use the chalk that is shaped like a triangle with rounded edges. it is super easy to use and makes great marks. yes being patient is key that is why i put on a good show and watch it while i work! you forget you are doing it...next thing you know it the show is over and so is your dress or skirt! good luck sweetie!
Deletelove the outfits, esp the dress, great job with the hemming; I've had to do this myself a few times, usually with trousers, I do find it harder with skirts, esp getting the back the same as the front, ha ha xox
ReplyDeleteYou're such a good seamstress! The difference on the first skirt is remarkable, from a quite frumpy skirt to a totally cute and sexy thing! Well done! I love the dress as well!
ReplyDeleteGirl you are on a roll! All of these look amazing! I especially love the first skirt with the yellow top!
ReplyDeleteyour hair looks so awesome curled! the dress looks beautiful on you, have a lovely day <3!
ReplyDeletethanks shannon! i love my hear curled too, it is so much fun and super easy! hope your having a great day too!
Deleteomg.
ReplyDeleteyou make hemming look so easy!
that is awesome!!!!
I wish I had the patience to hem -- I tell myself I should... i mean I can't work a sewing machine but I can sew by hand right? right? (crickets) :)
maybe..one day. for now, I'll stay enjoying these lovely before and after pics of your work! :)
xoxo.
Des.
YES you can sew by hand! i know you can! i hope to one day see a before and after picture of something you hem...maybe on your next note to self post you can add that? it is so much fun to hem something yourself...it is very empowering..trust! xoxo
Deletegaaaa, you've gone and done it now lades! i've had a pile up of "too longs" accumulating in the corner for a while now and this has inspired me to get busy and start hemming asap. what fab results, they all did a complete 180 and look fantastic. good job! like night and day total. xo ♥
ReplyDelete