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Posted by LizzieB! on July 16, 2006, 3:25 pm
Dear All,
I have a much-loved skirt from Marks and Spencer which has stretched out
of shape (and as I have shrunk somewhat, it is too large and trails on
the ground!). The skirt was advertised as:
bias cut; godet inserts add an elegant finish to the unusual design of
this gorgeous full length skirt
* Bias cut
* Ankle length
* Added stretch
* 96% viscose, 4% elastane lycra; deep cherry red
* Machine washable
I have to shorten it by about 6 inches. The problem is, it has no
waistband, no elastic in the waist either, and 6 unevenly-spaced, deep,
lettuce-finish godet-insets start about 3 inches below the top of the
skirt. I cannot shorten it from the bottom (lettuce finish and 12 feet
of hem rather restrict me!) but am stumped for shortening/folding it
from the top without the jersey-like fabric rumpling up after
shortening. Do not want to put a stiffening waist facing in; the skirt
is waaaay too comfortable as is.
Sorry, I'm not describing my problem too coherently. Please could anyone
help with ideas. I do not want to ruin a lovely skirt.
Elizabeth
--
Banging your head against the wall uses up 150 calories per hour
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Posted by cea on July 16, 2006, 6:00 pm
LizzieB! wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> Dear All,
> I have a much-loved skirt from Marks and Spencer which has stretched out
> of shape (and as I have shrunk somewhat, it is too large and trails on
> the ground!). The skirt was advertised as:
> bias cut; godet inserts add an elegant finish to the unusual design of
> this gorgeous full length skirt
> * Bias cut
> * Ankle length
> * Added stretch
> * 96% viscose, 4% elastane lycra; deep cherry red
> * Machine washable
> I have to shorten it by about 6 inches. The problem is, it has no
> waistband, no elastic in the waist either, and 6 unevenly-spaced, deep,
> lettuce-finish godet-insets start about 3 inches below the top of the
> skirt. I cannot shorten it from the bottom (lettuce finish and 12 feet
> of hem rather restrict me!) but am stumped for shortening/folding it
> from the top without the jersey-like fabric rumpling up after
> shortening. Do not want to put a stiffening waist facing in; the skirt
> is waaaay too comfortable as is.
> Sorry, I'm not describing my problem too coherently. Please could anyone
> help with ideas. I do not want to ruin a lovely skirt.
> Elizabeth
> --
Elizabeth, given your parameters, I suggest you shorten the skirt
from the top, then take the side seams in enough to fit you. I've
altered skirts in this manner, when they could not be shortened from
the hem.
If this seems beyond your skills, perhaps you could find an
alterations expert; a lettuce-edge hem _can_ be duplicated, given the
right equipment.
A really great garment deserves all the care you can give it, so let
us know if you salvage your beloved.
Cea
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Posted by LizzieB! on July 18, 2006, 3:18 pm
show/hide quoted text
>LizzieB! wrote:
>> Dear All,
>> I have a much-loved skirt
show/hide quoted text
>> * 96% viscose, 4% elastane lycra; deep cherry red
>> * Machine washable
>> I have to shorten it by about 6 inches. I cannot shorten it from the bottom
> but am stumped for shortening/folding it
>> from the top
Hi, Cea, and thanks for replying!
show/hide quoted text
> Elizabeth, given your parameters, I suggest you shorten the skirt
>from the top,
Ah, as I thought - good.
show/hide quoted text
>then take the side seams in enough to fit you.
Hmm, wideness not really a problem as the "cut" and fall of the skirt
hides this so will probably not narrow it!
show/hide quoted text
> If this seems beyond your skills,
Hmm, I really needed to know whether shortening from the top was ok
(glad it is!).
More importantly, however, is the crumpling of the folded over material
at the waist once I'm wearing it. The hemmed fold will be about six
inches deep after I've folded it over enough and stitched it down.
I'm worried this will not remain a neat, six inch "hem" but will crumple
into a messy "spare tyre".
I was reading another news thread about inserting stretchy "maternity"
fabric. Perhaps if I lined the inside of the six-inch-fold (closest to
my skin) with this fabric, it will stabilise it, stop it srumpling into
a roll but also, importantly, be really just as comfortable as it is
now?
show/hide quoted text
> A really great garment deserves all the care you can give it, so let
>us know if you salvage your beloved.
I've folded up the six inches and pinned it with fine pins. It looks
good but I just daren't start sewing yet until I'm certain that it will
work when I wear it.
--
Banging your head against the wall uses up 150 calories per hour
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Posted by BEI Design on July 18, 2006, 3:04 pm
show/hide quoted text
> In article
>>LizzieB! wrote:
>>> Dear All,
>>> I have a much-loved skirt
>>> * 96% viscose, 4% elastane lycra; deep cherry red
>>> * Machine washable
>>> I have to shorten it by about 6 inches. I cannot shorten it
>>> from the bottom
>> but am stumped for shortening/folding it
>>> from the top
> Hi, Cea, and thanks for replying!
>> Elizabeth, given your parameters, I suggest you shorten the
>> skirt
>>from the top,
> Ah, as I thought - good.
>>then take the side seams in enough to fit you.
> Hmm, wideness not really a problem as the "cut" and fall of the
> skirt
> hides this so will probably not narrow it!
>> If this seems beyond your skills,
> Hmm, I really needed to know whether shortening from the top
> was ok
> (glad it is!).
> More importantly, however, is the crumpling of the folded over
> material
> at the waist once I'm wearing it. The hemmed fold will be about
> six
> inches deep after I've folded it over enough and stitched it
> down.
> I'm worried this will not remain a neat, six inch "hem" but
> will crumple
> into a messy "spare tyre".
You don't have to retain that extra six inches! Cut it down to
about 1-1/4 inch, and make a casing for elastic.
show/hide quoted text
> I was reading another news thread about inserting stretchy
> "maternity"
> fabric. Perhaps if I lined the inside of the six-inch-fold
> (closest to
> my skin) with this fabric, it will stabilise it, stop it
> srumpling into
> a roll but also, importantly, be really just as comfortable as
> it is
> now?
I don't think you need maternity stretch for this skirt, a 3/4"
non-roll elastic should do just fine.
show/hide quoted text
> I've folded up the six inches and pinned it with fine pins. It
> looks
> good but I just daren't start sewing yet until I'm certain that
> it will
> work when I wear it.
Once you're happy with the length, you really *can* cut off the
excess, and you don't want that bulk. Serge the edge if you can,
or zig-zag if you don't have a serger, sew the casing, thread the
elastic through, et voila!
Beverly
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Posted by LizzieB! on July 18, 2006, 8:08 pm
show/hide quoted text
>I don't think you need maternity stretch for this skirt, a 3/4"
>non-roll elastic should do just fine.
show/hide quoted text
>Once you're happy with the length, you really *can* cut off the
>excess,
*smiles* I only really needed someone to encourage me! You and Cea have
decided me!
show/hide quoted text
>and you don't want that bulk. Serge the edge if you can,
No serger, just a New Home, all-metal, straight stitch, one-direction-
only machine (yup, I know some of you might remember I got given a
Frister + Rossman but now is not the time to try out a new machine with
my fave skirt!!)
show/hide quoted text
>
>or zig-zag if you don't have a serger,
Not sure it's really zz, the needle moves once to the left and then back
again. I can alter how much it moves to the left with a lever. I have a
range above the lever of 1-5 (5 being the zaggiest) for this zz. I can
also alter stitch length, 1mm to 5mm.
What zz and what stitch length should I use?
What thread should I use?
show/hide quoted text
>sew the casing,
Is there more than one kind of 3/4 inch non-roll elastic?
How do I know which one to ask for if there is more than one kind -
should I take the skirt with me to the shop?
Am I right in thinking one needs about 2-3 inches less elastic than
one's waist size?
If I use 3/4 inch wide n-r elastic, how wide should the casing on the
skirt be?
show/hide quoted text
<short interlude while I do a headless chicken routine>
OK, better now!
show/hide quoted text
>thread the
>elastic through, et voila!
show/hide quoted text
<big breath in>
I shall try this on Saturday (only free day between now and then!). That
will give me time to get up the courage to cut into the fabric.
Thanks bunches!
--
Banging your head against the wall uses up 150 calories per hour
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> I have a much-loved skirt from Marks and Spencer which has stretched out
> of shape (and as I have shrunk somewhat, it is too large and trails on
> the ground!). The skirt was advertised as:
> bias cut; godet inserts add an elegant finish to the unusual design of
> this gorgeous full length skirt
> * Bias cut
> * Ankle length
> * Added stretch
> * 96% viscose, 4% elastane lycra; deep cherry red
> * Machine washable
> I have to shorten it by about 6 inches. The problem is, it has no
> waistband, no elastic in the waist either, and 6 unevenly-spaced, deep,
> lettuce-finish godet-insets start about 3 inches below the top of the
> skirt. I cannot shorten it from the bottom (lettuce finish and 12 feet
> of hem rather restrict me!) but am stumped for shortening/folding it
> from the top without the jersey-like fabric rumpling up after
> shortening. Do not want to put a stiffening waist facing in; the skirt
> is waaaay too comfortable as is.
> Sorry, I'm not describing my problem too coherently. Please could anyone
> help with ideas. I do not want to ruin a lovely skirt.
> Elizabeth
> --