Replies

1. 
   mimi | Dec 09, 2005 02:48am | #1

   The fastest and easiest way would be to machine stitch it.  The nicest finish would be to hand sew it.

   Either way, try on the dress and pin to correct hem length; cut excess material away.  Sew a basting stitch half and inch away (longer)and pin up skirt.  Pull the basting stitch to ease in the fullness.  This will insure that you have a smooth hem.  You are now ready to stitch the hem, wither by hand or machine.  The two layers should be hemmed individually.

   mimi

1. 
   rsolish | Dec 09, 2005 03:12pm | #2

   thank you very much mimi!
   the idea of easing in the fullness sounds like the answer i was looking for.
   i'm not up to hemming the dresses yet still have to finish sewing them together and then try them on so i'm open to more advice.
   thanks again.
   Raya
   from netanya

1. 
   Teaf5 | Dec 10, 2005 12:35am | #3

   Especially since you have to hem 18 skirts (nine dresses times two layers) you might want to take this advice from a big-volume costumer: use very narrow hems and use your machine! On the underneath layer, I'd use a hemming foot that rolls a very narrow edge and secures it at the same time--one line of stitching around the hem. If the upper layer, the fashion fabric, looks good with a narrow hem, do the same for that. With a very narrow hem, you don't need to do an ease line to take in fullness, and you have less chance of ironing an imprint of the hem onto the finished skirt.On formal dresses, especially long ones, the focus of the dress is on the bodice; no one will be inspecting the hems. You need to finish them off, but they aren't a design feature or focal point. A bonus of very narrow, machine-stitched hems is that they don't get caught on the heels of the dressy shoes you wear with them!

1. 
   rsolish | Dec 11, 2005 10:35am | #5

   thank you!!
   i have a narrow hemming foot that i've used before and thought that would be the fastest way.i'm happy to see you think it willlook nice too.
   Raya

2. 
   sewpro | Dec 10, 2005 06:12am | #4

   The easiest and nicest way and fastest with the least amount of glitches would be to use a narrow hem stitch on a serger. It has a very professional look and no problems with easing fullness, or messing with a hemstitching foot. If you don't own one, try to find one you can borrow or possibly rent or if you cnba afford it, buy one. Good luck, JG

1. 
   rsolish | Dec 11, 2005 10:38am | #6

   i dont have a serger and didn't hear of a place in Netanya that rents them.but i will try the hemming foot on my sewing machine.
   the dresses are for my sisters, nieces and daughters so there should'nt be too much complaining!
   thanks for the advice
   Raya
   from Netanya

2. 
   rsolish | Jan 29, 2006 11:30am | #7

   to all
   thanks for the advice
   the dresses turned out wonderfull and everyone loved them.
   here is a picture of all the girls in there dresses.
   Raya

   
1. 
   SewTruTerry | Jan 30, 2006 06:25pm | #8

   Raya what a wonderful job that you did on those dresses congratulations.

2. 
   suesew | Feb 03, 2006 04:20am | #9

   Congratulations. Thjey look great. Just think - the youngest has 8 other dresses to grow into!

1. 
   rsolish | Feb 03, 2006 12:21pm | #10

   thank you all!
   i thought of that - she'll probably be sick of them by the time she gets through with the first 4,and ask for something new!!
   Raya
   From Netanya

3. 
   TzipiGlick | Feb 05, 2006 10:14am | #11

   Raya- Kol Hakavod!!