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: kaykay
Date: 12-02-2006, 07:27 PM (1 of 14)
|
Hello everyone I do many alterations in my home, but here's a new one for me. Prom season is here, and a student has brought me her dress which is too long. It has a "pick up" skirt like many bridal gowns have. Also a side zipper which goes beyond her hip-bodice is very fitted and fits nicely. Just the length is 4-5 " too long. I didn't think altering from the dropped waist is the way to go,(zipper involved) but How does one shorten the flounces of the pick up? LOTS of flounces, about 5" apart all the way around. And all the way up to the bodice. I would Really appreciate some advice-you girls are great! Dazzled & frazzled 
Originality is undetected imitation
|
User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 12-03-2006, 05:27 PM (2 of 14)
|
Hmm...I'm thinking about this, and I just can't figure out what a pickup skirt is. Is it the same as a balloon skirt?
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 12-03-2006, 05:34 PM (3 of 14)
|
Alright, I found an image. Is this the type of skirt you're dealing with? http://www.foreverbridals.com/gownpix.asp?Style=27110 In this image, it appears that the skirt is atteached to the lining, so, depending on just how much length needs to come off, you _might_ be able to get away with opening that seam (the one that connects the skirt with the underskirt), shortening the underskirt, and reattaching. If needed, perhaps a few of the lowest "pickups" could be undone and pressed out. If you open up the waistline, there's the risk of upsetting the proper fullness where the skirt attaches to the bodice, in addition to disturbing the zipper. I wonder what other ideas folks here have. Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: paroper
Date: 12-03-2006, 09:40 PM (4 of 14)
|
My daughter and I got a bargain on her jr prom dress...a $600 fully beaded garment for $125 NEW at a boutique. It was just generally too long by about 6 inches. I didn't want to mess with it so I took it to a good friend who does professional alterations...thought I'd save myself a lot of rebeading. The friend cut off what was needed in front and then tapered it to the sides so that it tapered back into the sides about 6-8 inches past her arms...so of toward her calves. Unfortunately, the good friend didn't tie off the beads and I still had to do the beading part..but I didn't have to mess with the circular skirt (you know how I hate those anyway). If you start the tape too soon they'll step on the skirt as they walk sideways. I also picked up the train in the center and added a pretty matching button and a thread loop so she could pin it up and dance without worrying about holding the dress.
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: kaykay
Date: 12-03-2006, 10:01 PM (5 of 14)
|
I'd be glad for your opinion, tried to post a picture, but am so far unsuccessful, If you'd like to PM me, perhaps I can send you one . It isn't a true pick up as in your post, but smilar. More flounces,like an austian shade, about 5" apart all around.I might just cut it CAREFULLY 1" longer, and put a simple baby hem, & re-tack at the flounces. But a picture would help me explain myself...
Originality is undetected imitation
|
User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33
|
From: Carol in ME
Date: 12-05-2006, 07:22 PM (6 of 14)
| Can you just pick up, raise the bottom tier of pick-up points? |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: VenusElaine
Date: 12-06-2006, 12:46 AM (7 of 14)
|
The last few times I "hemmed" a pick-up skirt (and yes, it does resemble an Austrian shade), I simply made more pick-ups. Pin the skirt up to a point, as you would a bustle. Sew in place, and you are done. When I have marked and actually tried to hem one, I found that the original hem is so uneven and crossing the bias that it does not turn out well. VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
|
User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: kaykay
Date: 12-06-2006, 10:04 AM (8 of 14)
 Here is an attempt to share a photo of the Project In Question... Thanks Andrea for reminding me of Photobucket! And that is a great suggestion to just "pick up" more in the skirt- After seeing it ( I hope) do you still "Concure" ?  OOOH need lotsa this this morning!Thanks again every one. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/sskkbk/DSCN0454.jpg Originality is undetected imitation
|
User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33
|
From: kaykay
Date: 12-06-2006, 01:00 PM (9 of 14)
|
I think the method of gathering the gatheres from the bottom edge will work- I began on the WS about 13" above the hem with needle & upholstery thread. cinched it up about the 5" it needed-voila ( I hope). It's definitely Not a Dancing dress, one could catch a toe pretty easily.Oh, Thanks for the advice!
Originality is undetected imitation
|
User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 12-06-2006, 03:05 PM (10 of 14)
ahh, so to raise the hem, it would be quite similar to raising the drapes? Wouldn't it be clever to have a cable installed so you could just pull it and be done with it! ...learned something new again 
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: paroper
Date: 12-07-2006, 07:17 AM (11 of 14)
|
Ah, that is not what I pictured at all. Gathering is brilliant!!
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: JFiore
Date: 02-02-2007, 10:59 AM (12 of 14)
|
Hold up here! DO NOT CUT OR ATTEMPT TO HEM AT HEMLINE! A "pick-up skirt is not possible to hem as you do a normal hem. There are 3 ways to hem correctly with these type designs. The first metod is to simply deepen the existing pick-ups equally all the way around the skirt. (if the pick-ups are symetrical).You start by deciding the amount that has to be hemmed then simply divide that amount by the amount of levels you have in pick-ups. ie. If you have two levels of pick-ups and 4 inches to shorten you take up (or deepen) 2 inches off the first level and 2 inches on the next level. Just remember that when you FOLD up a pick-up ONE inch that is 2 inches (1 inch on either side of fold). The second method is as mentioned above. You can either buy carbone rings (the little plastic rings used in roman shades) or use ribbon to create your own loop. Either way it works. Make loops of ribbon (or use carbone rings)and attach in STRAIGHT line starting approximately 8" from waist line down, at/on points where pick-ups are already existing (if pick-ups are not symetrical, still just attach in straight line skipping some pick-ups). Three to four down will be sufficient. You should have 6-8 rows of these all the way around the dress. Once you have attached these, then attach a ribbon AT the waistline of the dress sliding it through each loop straight down the full length of the skirt to the floor at each of these 6-8 rows letting it hang. Call client for a second fit. Pull ribbons as you would a roman shade and tack to lining. The third way is if the pick-ups are NOT symetrical. You just have to deepen pre-existing pick-ups and create some smaller new ones to keep the hemline even, WHILE THE DRESS IS ON THE CLIENT. The new pick-ups should be attached to the lining only. Then simply tack. Good luck! |
User: JFiore
Member since: 01-16-2007 Total posts: 3 |
From: BabsSewingRoom
Date: 04-08-2007, 07:16 PM (13 of 14)
| I've got a prom dress like this to alter but thank goodness the length is OK! This is a regular prom dress customer that always needs adjustments made to the bodice. I am thankful for the instructions on how to shorten/lengthen one of this type. I'm sure I'll need it at some point. |
User: BabsSewingRoom
Member since: 04-10-2004 Total posts: 80 |
From: kaykay
Date: 04-19-2007, 07:41 PM (14 of 14)
|
I had my second such dress to shorten the other day. NO problem, as know I understand just how to go about it. Thanks Kaykay Originality is undetected imitation
|
User: kaykay
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 33
|
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-20880.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft