sewing question - shortening posh trousers

carolt

Hi - a sewing question. Couldn't find sewing in the Indexed collections, though I'm sure it must be there somewhere. Any experienced sewers out there who could help?

My OH got a v expensive new suit and to save money I want to try and shorten the trousers for him but am scared of mucking it up.

They need about 3 or 4 inches off the hem. If I just fold it up (twice so the edge doesn't show and it's the right height) and stitch it as it is, it will presumably look a bit heavy. Bt if I don't turn the hem over twice the seam would be too high, IFYSWIM. But am terrified of cutting the fabric as I would presumably then have to overlock it, which even without the hassle of getting the sewing machine out and up and running, I'm not sure I can do.

Would it be OK if I cut the fabric but didn't overlock? Would it be OK if I just hemmed it as it is, without cutting? Should I not attempt it (it is a very expensive suit!) and write it off as a false economy?

Help very much appreciated!

ness_w

You would really need to cut the fabric for a good result - also use herringbone stitch to get a nice smooth invisible hem. However, if the suit is that expensive I'd take it back to where it came from (if new) and get them to sort out the alteration. You can usually get people to do hemming quite cheaply - but would need to be happy that they will do it well!

Ness.

purpleivy

Agree with Ness. Dry cleaner near us charges just under £11 for straightforward shortening. I asked as someone wanted me to do some for them and I didn't know what to charge.

Rikki

If you do decide to shorten them yourself.

Sew bias binding to the raw edge and hem by sewing this to the inside of the trousers just catching the main fabric in a herringbone stitch (small crosses). Press using a damp clothe before you sew helps.(wrong side with no steam)

If you can I would take them to the shop and ask them to shorten them for you. Tak OH too wearing the shoes he will wear them with.

Another alternative it the dry cleaners some offer an alteration service.

Pollycat

Carol
I do lots of shortening of trousers/skirts for myself, family and friends but I wouldn't touch anything expensive.

It may turn out to be a very expensive mistake rather than a money-saving plan, I'd do as Ness & purpleivy suggest and try a few places that do alterations if you can't get it done where you bought it from.

Polly

sandy2_2

I'd cut the bottom of the trousers off to 11/2inch longer than needed Fold the hem up, get OH to try them on and make any adjustments, then tack round the bottom abour 1/4 in from fold and iron gently. then I would use iron on webbing to stick the folded hem to the trousers. BUTensure OH realises your uncertain about this and persuade him it might be safer to get them professionally altered

chickadee

I think if you are unsure at all you should just pay the money and get them done professionally. It could prove to be an expensive mistake.

If I am hemming trousers I always cut them to the right length, zig-zag the raw edge on my sewing machine and either herringbone or slip-stitch the hem up. I do enjoy sewing though and would consider myself to be quite handy at it. When doing hems though, I ALWAYS try the garment on twice. Once to get an idea of the right length, then I either tack or pin up to what I have measured then try on again, just in case. I can still adjust it at this stage, but not after cutting the fabric! :eek:

Good luck.

champys

carolt - I am a short person and so is my OH and I always shorten everything myself, even expensive stuff. My sewing teacher taught me how to do this when I was about 15 and I have never looked back. The rules she gave me then are that 1) you definitely MUST cut the fabric. Leave a somewhat generous margin though, so you still have the possibility to drop a little if you feel afterwards you have made them too short. 2) Zigzag the raw edge and press gently with an iron and a damp handkerchief to make the zigzag stitches sink into the fabric. 3) Fold the hem in to the required length, then fold it back towards you about 1/3 of an inch. 4) Sew the folded edge to the trouser side using a herringbone stitch, picking up only one thread or so of the trouser side each time. Do not pull the thread too hard. 5) When finished, lightly press the finished seam again using a damp handkerchief.

This system always works great for delicate items. If you or your OH are of the build where shortening of trousers and skirts is a regular occurrence, it definitely pays off to learn how to do it. And practice makes perfect.....!

carolt

Thank you all - given the cost of the suit I will look at getting it done professionally this time, but I quite often get stuff that could do with shortening so the tips will stand me in good stead. Although I did learn how to sew when younger, I have no idea of the names of different types of stitches or how to do them - I just do what seems right in the circumstances but it would be very helpful to know more. Shame there isn't an old-style sewing circle to pass on these skills (think my mother's knowledge is about the same as mine) as it's a hard thing to describe online if you know what I mean! and doubt more detail is taught in schools these days. I've got no interest in doing it professionally but it's a shame the ability to do well, yourself, is something few people have these days.

Wonder if those who can do it well learnt largely at school or at home? Also wonder whether increasing inflation, credit crunch etc means that we will see a return to more make do and mend - when you can buy a new whatever from Primark for a couple of quid, it's probably only the very short or those otherwise challenged by conventional clothes sizing that can be bothered to sew anyway.....

BTW, just checked, and I can get alterations done at Johnsons Drycleaners using my Tesco Clubcard Deals Vouchers - that way I'm not actually spending hard cash on it... :j

jacky_horn

champys wrote: »

carolt - I am a short person and so is my OH and I always shorten everything myself, even expensive stuff. My sewing teacher taught me how to do this when I was about 15 and I have never looked back. The rules she gave me then are that 1) you definitely MUST cut the fabric. Leave a somewhat generous margin though, so you still have the possibility to drop a little if you feel afterwards you have made them too short. 2) Zigzag the raw edge and press gently with an iron and a damp handkerchief to make the zigzag stitches sink into the fabric. 3) Fold the hem in to the required length, then fold it back towards you about 1/3 of an inch. 4) Sew the folded edge to the trouser side using a herringbone stitch, picking up only one thread or so of the trouser side each time. Do not pull the thread too hard. 5) When finished, lightly press the finished seam again using a damp handkerchief.

This system always works great for delicate items. If you or your OH are of the build where shortening of trousers and skirts is a regular occurrence, it definitely pays off to learn how to do it. And practice makes perfect.....!

Hi

I too am short and have to shorten everything. A tailoress taught me how to take up trousers professionally. It is EXACTLY as described above. I have done this for years and you can not see the hemline from the right side of the trouders. The secret is definitely to fold the hem in to the required length, then fold it back towards you about 1/3 of an inch. Then sew the folded edge to the trouser side using a herringbone stitch, picking up only one thread or so of the trouser side each time. It is worth it and after practice doesn't take too long. They will look perfect.