Circle skirts have curved hems that can be awkward to turn up. One way to deal with the curve is to hem with bias strips cut from the same fabric. Because bias strips have some give, you can stretch out the lower side as you sew it to the dress, then neatly turn under the top side and not have a bunch of little pleats of excess fabric to deal with.
For this dress in semi-sheer cotton, I cut a bias strip two inches wide, and sewed it to the bottom of the dress, right sides together, using a half-inch seam. Then I turned it up under the skirt and neatly pressed it, and then folded in and pressed the other raw edge.
That edge can be machine-sewn in place, or hand-sewn, if there's time to kill, and that circle skirt will be nicely hemmed, with a nice hang.
Anna, I can't believe the timing of this post. I have a dress hanging from my dress form at this very moment, with a nice big full circle skirt, (Butterick's retro Walkaway wrap dress) and the only thing left to do is hemming. I have done some Internet research, and had just about decided machine stitching a narrow hem was going to be the easiest thing to do. But I wasn't crazy about the idea. Your technique sounds and looks so much nicer. I have plenty of fabric, I believe, to do the bias strip, so I really want to try this. Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I never would have thought about that. I'll keep this in mind for any circle skirts in my future. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I have been working on a poodle skirt. I can use this idea!
ReplyDeleteHow come I spent five years earning a fashion design degree and never learned this (or thought of it!). Thanks so much for sharing. I'll be using this one on the next dress I sew for my daughter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress!!! I have tried using bias tape to hem a circle skirt. Silly me, I used white bias trim on a navy dress. Not a good result. Can you tell me the pattern information for your dress?
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, thanks! This beats my current method of lead foot on the pedal and hope for the best. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very useful thing to know! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely, sweet dress, and a wonderful tip--but I need to know (please, if you are willing to share) a *pattern number*!
ReplyDeleteWHAT a smart tip. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAny tips for leveling the hem line before applying the tape? I still use a bellows chalk line yardstick. Would love an improved method.
I once read that Yves St. Laurent hung fabric on the bias --if it was destined for bias cut skirts-- an entire 6 months before cutting and leveling. haute couture!
deb meyers
Sweet :)
ReplyDeleteIs this Miss Daisy's Easter dress?
ReplyDeletesuper cute dress
ReplyDeletesoooo pretty! Whose charming dress is that?
ReplyDeleteI love to do hand sewing like this while I watch a movie after the kids are in bed. Bliss.
Dear Anna,
ReplyDeleteThis dress is so sweet...I'm rather partial to pink! Love the idea of the hem...I have just the dress to try it out on. I am curious about the pattern for this dress...would you be willing to share this info?
Thanks so much!
Sweet blessings,
Laura
I'll get the pattern out tomorrow and post the number. I think it is a vintage McCall.
ReplyDeleteSeashoreknits, I want to see that walkaway dress when you finish!
that dress is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThat is vintage McCall 7713.
ReplyDeleteI do have problems any time I want to hem a circle skirt...very frustrating! This technique is one I will very likely try out soon. thanks! :o)
ReplyDeleteBrenda