Rolled Up Hems

Thursday 5 February 2015


A short and sweet post.

I bought an off white shrunken fit sweatshirt from Gap in the summer sale last year. The sleeves were too long and they never seemed to shrug up properly so I decided to get the scissors out and give the sleeves the old chop. Kristina from Uniformly Dressed obviously studies my clothing pics as she asked me how I did the sleeves on this post here as she said they looked very neat. Well this is what I did .....

I decided on the length of the sleeves that I wanted and did a straight cut across.


And then I turned the edge up a fraction ....


.... and again so the raw edge was tucked neatly away.


And then I did a running stitch along the length to hold it in place.


And then I gave it a light press.


And that's what I did.


The reason for me doing it this way rather than leaving the edge raw and to curl up naturally is the fabric sometimes frays and you get loose threads after the garment has been in the wash. Great on jean hems, not so hot on sweatshirt sleeves.


------------------------------

Last Note : 

  • The technique I use for shortening the sleeves, I also use for shortening overlong wider legged jogging bottoms. 
  • After a once through the washing machine, the hems will take on a more natural roll shape.






19 comments

  1. Love the latest trick up your sleeve Sue! ;0) You really are a genius when it comes to these handy, helpful tips! Great post xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michelle. It wasn't a post I was going to do - these pics were taken last August actually and it was only Kristina asking that I decided to pop them on.

      Delete
  2. Love this illuminating post. I believe I was curious about how you made it neat because I'd read an article about hand-rolled pocket squares--your method is similar in some respects. Also it looks very clean, and I'm always about nice hems :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm funny about finishes on things. They usually have to be just so and when I get home, I find myself inspecting for loose threads and snipping and tidying bits to make the garment look complete. I find that if just makes a garment look that little bit more expensive if you're not wafting around with a trail of threads hanging off your hems.

      Delete
    2. I do that in-store and if possible I will look for the least raggedy piece. Why spend so much money on a new item that's been dragged through the trenches?

      Then again, see the whole pre-distressed denim section in the malls, n'est-ce pas?

      Delete
  3. Sue, you are clever, something as simple as that, has that has given your sweatshirt a whole new life.....It's all about having a good eye for how things look, and also being nifty with a needle and thread! Definitely Susie-sew -sew!! Helen xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess it takes it in to summer nicely without me having to shrug my sleeves up every two seconds. There seems to be a lot of shorter sleeved sweatshirts around so I thought I could give it a go and this one was a super simple hack.

      Delete
  4. Another great idea, Sue. You're so crafty! I would just chuck it away and look for a more suitable one. I should try harder! Lynne xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I'm a nutter. Well I'd looked at the sweatshirt a few times before it even went in to the sale and I loved the off-white shade. Sometimes brilliant white is not the best shade and can even be too white and cream is too yellow. This is just an off shade of white which I really liked so I persevered. Bet I forget to wear it come the warmer weather as there are so many nice tops calling me from my wardrobe.

      Delete
  5. Love these blog post so so helpful you sweater looks fab on, I always find myself chopping the ends off clothes to make them fit but I will follow your lead and try to do it nearer as it just looks so much better x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't worry so much with jean hems - the tattier they get, the better they look and sometimes they even need that little bit of extra roughing up. But the sleeves, I would end up with cap sleeves by the time these had finished doing their own thing. There's method in the madness.

      Delete
  6. ohhhh that running stitch is so simple and brilliant. i've lobbed off sweatshirt material clothing before and they always leave bits of fluff for a few days before they start fraying on me and eventually curl up after washing but that never stays in place. haha. doh. thanks sue, always thinking a step ahead!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup - one step ahead. I usually give the hem a little roll between my finger and thumb to round it a little so it doesn't look too flat or a once through the wash will get that effect and keep it even.

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Nah - just a little bit OCD about some stuff and a little mad.

      Delete
  8. You are such a clever Bunny! Ill be bringing you my sons Beaver uniform & badges at the end of the month Sue! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear fabric glue is quite effective for Cub/Beaver badges! That's what Ben's Cubs leader says - for all those mums who don't sew. I confess to being a bit lazy and then I have a mad sewing frenzy to get all his badges on. They're sat in a drawer at the moment!

      Delete

Susie So So