Replies

1. 
   Bill_Stewart | Nov 17, 1999 01:04pm | #1

   *
   Maria, I do this all the time and it is based on the cost of the dress and how much time you want to invest for the finished look. please describe the hemline and how much you want to shorten. The side seams can be attackaed 2 ways. Undeading, tying off threads, sewing the fabric, rebeading to match original or "down and dirty". If down and dirty, simply turn to inside, lightly steam seam flat, use a 14 or 16 needle and sew. You will hear breaking beads, etc. sew slowly to allow this to hapen and keep the seamline straight. press seams in direction they were going originally.
   if you want more detailed help on doing the unbeading, etc., describe the pattern and materials. Look on the inside to see if it is chainstitched to make unbeading somewhat easier. Also on hem area.
   waiting to hear back from you.

1. 
   Maria_Avina | Nov 27, 1999 01:05am | #2

   *Hi Bill,Thanks for replying. I have finally received the gown on 11/24! It's by Moonlight and made in India. I will only need to hem it up about one and a half inches. The dress seems to be made of silk fabric, lined in rayon, with a scattered bead pattern that is chain-stitched.The hem is finished off by four, parallel rows of the same long beads, that I probably wouldn't miss. I was thinking of hand sewing a hem. What do you think? Would that be too bulky or unadvised for this dress?Thanks and hope your having a nice holiday weekend =)MariaSilicon Valley, CA

1. 
   Bill_Stewart | Nov 29, 1999 11:36am | #3

   *Maria, two things. pin up the hemabout where you want it and try on to see finished effect. if it looks ok, hem it up. it will make the hem a littel stiff with it turned up inside, especailly with the 4 rows of beads. also note hopw the lining is finished. is it sewing inwith the dress side seams almost to the hem? if so you may need to redo several inches of the seams at the bottom so you can hem up the slip properly. as for stitching the outside hem, on the inside don't use a traditional hemming stitch, but rather a modified basting stitch. take a tiny stitch through the hem to the outside and then jump over about a 1/2 " and repeat around. remember to not pull the thread tight as it will make the outside pucker. also to distribute the weight of the hem, you need to put in three hems as described above at 1/2" & 1" from the fold and at top edge of hem. this helps to keep the weight from dragging down on just one hemline, which in silk is a strain on the fabric. in hemming, your stitches of the outside should just catch 2 threads at most. hope this helps. Bill