Shortening stuff is easy. It's worth taking the extra time to press the hem and measure with a ruler as this will make it easier to quickly sew a constant 1-2mm from the edge with a sewing machine as well as reducing the risk of getting a wonkey finish.
1) Try on the dress and put a pin where you want it shortened to, add a few cm so it's not too short at the back. Double check this. You may want to put the garment-to-be-shortened against a similar one already the correct length.
2) Take the dress off and measure from the hem where the pin has gone. Call this length A. Mark at least 3cm less than length A from the bottom edge - that 3cm is the minimum hem allowance you need to enclose the raw edge. Call this hem allowance length b. Depending on the fabric you might want this to be greater than 3cm. Generally you want this smaller the more delicate the fabric but larger if the fabric frays easily.
3) Turn the dress inside out and mark distance (A - b) from the hem with a pencil or tailor's chalk, measuring with a ruler. Cut on the line you have drawn with sharp scissors to shorten the dress.
4) With the dress still inside out, fold the raw edge over by length b and press over with an iron. Do this all the way around the dress.
5) Fold the raw edge inside the fold by a constant amount all the way around the dress. Iron to press into place. With a small hem of 3cm, folding the raw edge inwards until it reaches the first fold is quick but for a larger b you may want to fold the raw edge inwards by a set amount depending on how wide you want the hem.
6) Once the hem is pressed, tack in place. Then machine sew (running stitch) or hand sew (oversewing stitch) with invisible stitches.
7) Put dress on. Dance!
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| Dress - Charity shop |
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| Shoes - charity shop |
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| Rings - self made, Topshop, charity shop |
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