Hey!! Been meaning to do this one for a while now, but I’ve only just got the chance/found something that needed doing!! It’s perfect for when you find that perfect vintage dress but it’s a bit too long, or trousers that fit you bum amazing just not in the length (happens to me as i’m a shorty!) or even to give a maxi dress a complete new look!!

So firstly i’m using a crushed velvet skater style dress, which i think is a touch too long (plus ive shortened the sleeves, and added a lace collar).

Ok then, firstly you need to put on the dress (or put it on a mannequin) and pin exactly where you would like the new length to be.

Then pin the fabric to the wrong side of the fabric all the way around, i find this easiest by measuring how much you want to take it up by and measuring each bit you pin.

Then trim off the excess fabric all the way around leaving enough for a hem (so an 3cm to 5 cm).

Then i give the folded part a good iron so that it gets a crease in it, this makes is easier when folding over to make the hem. To make the hem just fold the fabric under until it reaches the crease and pin it in place, do this all the way around. Now no raw edges can be seen.

Again give it a good press wit the iron. If you aren’t feeling confident about the sewing, i would here i would do a tacking stitch by hand holding the seam in place, then you can take the pins out, otherwise if you a confident I would just machine stitch the hem from round here. First you have to choose the colour of your thread, so either the same shade as your fabric or a contrasting colour to make it stand out! I’ve used the same colour as the fabric.

So i used the colour on the far right! Sometimes it is easier to match it with the colour threads used on the seams. So now you are ready to get your machine out and start sewing!! For my dress i used a zig zag stitch only because my fabric is very stretchy, but normally i would use a straight running stitch. A good hint it to start at a seam as it is good to hide the back stitch used to secure the stitching!! 

Then use the guide on the machine to keep it nice and straight and take it as slow as you need!! As my machine doesn’t have a guide I just the edge of the fabric as a guide! And there you go!! with a trim of the excess threads you have successfully took up a dress. Below is a close up of the seam on the right side of the fabric!! You can hardly see it!!

And voila!! The finished dress!! But I added a lace collar to it as well (vintage lace from my nan’s dress) So I hope that has been helpful!!

much love x x x 

Ok, so work has got a bit on top of the all the fun stuff, but i’m back!!

So after a few pricked fingers and a broken needle the dress is mostly done, just need to choose some sexy buttons for the back. Cant decide on covered buttons, or some big plastic olive coloured ones… decisions. Also adding a lining to the skirt, so shall be cutting that out this evening. 

Cant wait to wear my dress, specially made for ME, by ME. It will be a very proud day.

Other projects on the cards…. Found a broken wicca basket, so I have mended it using some raffia, and will be making a nice lining for it. Similar to some Cath Kidston shopping baskets (as shown below) I seen, but much bigger and sturdier, and i’ll make it my sewing basket. 

I’ve got some patterns for some culotte type shorts, and some really pretty vintage (and again flowery) fabric to do them in, so they shall be cut out in the next few days. So i’m excited to get then started.

 Need to buy some new machine needles first though (silly pins) and check the tension on my machine, cos it’s being a bit funny.

ooof and cheesecake, ive been making some excellent ones recently, delightful!!

made myself hungry now!!

much love

x x x