hemming a circle skirt

[Therese's Mommy]

UGH! Not so easy I found out last night. I am making Sew Baby's Twirly Dress and it says to do a 1 inch hem, but I don't think that is very smart. Should I just do a smaller hem so that there isn't that bunch of fabric? The one I made last night didn't come out so well. It is ok, since it is going on a 3yo who will be moving around alot I want the rest of them to turn out better. Any pointers?

[E.V. Lowi]

Does the design require the weight of this 1" hem to make the skirt drape?

I agree that a 1" hem on a circle skirt is a bit much. I would trim the hem allowance and turn back 1/4" and baste, then turn back 3/8" and hem. You can pin baste and steam before you sew to get the puckers/ripples to lay down.

Another way is to serge the edge and then turn back the hem allowance and sew. This eliminates the bulk for less rippling but isn't as pretty on the inside.

[Pepper44]

I'm not sure what that pattern is, but when I make a simple skirt I take a rectangle of fabric and hem the edges all the way around before doing anything else. Then I sew it up one side to make a circle, then make a case for the elastic in the top and add the elastic last. It's very easy and they look so cute!

[savannah smiles]

When I make circle skirts, I use double folded bias tape as a short cut so I don't have to bother with turning up the hems.

[sapphire_chan]

They're probably thinking of a deeper hem so that it can be let down as your LO grows and also protecting it from fraying.

For a skirt for a LO, I'd do the bias tape idea since that'll protect the edge of the skirt from some of the rigors of life, and then if it gets short while the waist is still comfy, add a ruffle of a contrasting color at the bottom.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Pepper44

I'm not sure what that pattern is, but when I make a simple skirt I take a rectangle of fabric and hem the edges all the way around before doing anything else. Then I sew it up one side to make a circle, then make a case for the elastic in the top and add the elastic last. It's very easy and they look so cute!

A circle skirt is a LOT fuller and has a special bounce caused by the way the fabric ends up draping.

But yes, I also like to turn up hems and cuffs and such before sewing up side seams.