Sew, What's Up

Sew What’s Up Presents

The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: sanda
Date: 08-10-2006, 07:32 PM (1 of 6)
I am having problem with my skirts with the front waistband elastic back.
The back of skirt is hanging longer than front. My hem is even, I measured
all around. I think skirt is droping at back while wearing it. If I make the
elastic any smaller I won't be able to fit it on over me. HOw do I prevent
this?
User: sanda
Member since: 01-03-2005
Total posts: 16
From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-10-2006, 10:08 PM (2 of 6)
First, make the waistband comfortable for yourself so you can enjoy your skirt once you're through. Then get a buddy to go around you with a yardstick, measuring up from the floor, while you're wearing the shoes you plan to use with the skirt. It can be marked with chalk or pins so that you'll know where to turn up the hem so it appears even while you're wearing it. The hanger doesn't need flattery as much as our figures often do! When I hem my skirts to fall evenly while wearing them, the backs are always longer than the fronts. That's b/c my lower back sways out. If I don't adjust for it this way, then my skirts will look silly on me. Perhaps there's some way in which your weight is carried in the front more than the back which takes up some of the slack in the front. My husband is my fitter. He can pin up a hem with ease in about 3 minutes without even disrupting his sci-fi tv program viewing.
Andrea
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005
Total posts: 1007
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-11-2006, 07:04 AM (3 of 6)
That's what I call a useful man.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: paroper
Date: 08-11-2006, 07:38 AM (4 of 6)
If you don't have someone who can mark it for you there are some self-marking chalk markers or you can stretch a plumb line across a doorway at the right height and take a walk into it.

The pattern companies try but fact is that our bodies sometimes have a little more curve than they allow for in the patterns.
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-11-2006, 04:20 PM (5 of 6)
Here's a link to Clotilde (http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?listtype=search&searchterm=hem+marker&dept_name=Search+Result%3A+hem+marker&g_id=147451-2&imgsize=large) where you can find a hem marker. It's only a few cents less at Joann, but this link provides a good image to see how it's used. I remember playing with my Grandma's when I was a little girl while she sewed and sewed. I just loved the poof! of chalk that came out when I squeezed the bulb! Thanks for bringing me back, all!
Also, while looking for an image to demonstrate, I found a better (well, harder, but makes a better product) way to solve my own problem on the Threads (http://http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/nmt037_25.asp) site. This is why I stick around.
Andrea
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005
Total posts: 1007
From: sanda
Date: 08-11-2006, 10:32 PM (6 of 6)
I went to fabric store to buy the chaulk marker so I will redo my hem.
I do not have a hem problem with store bought skirts or dresses.
User: sanda
Member since: 01-03-2005
Total posts: 16
Sew, What's Up
Search the “Sew What’s New” Archive:
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-19855.html