How to Hem a Bagged Hem (Enclosed Hem) Prom Gown. Formalwear Sewing Techniques. Wedding Gown
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Welcome to Christa’s Dress Shoppe
I am a seamstress and a former Bridal Boutique owner.
My purpose for this channel is to create video tutorials to help you turn your passion for sewing into a lucrative career.
Please like and subscribe and follow my journey.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you! I watched your tutorial over and over as I was hemming my granddaughter's wedding dress and anxious do so. Your tutorial was wonderful. Your video was so helpful!!
Oh that’s wonderful!! I’m so glad it helped. These crazy hems are so complicated these days.
Congratulations on your granddaughter’s wedding. What a fun time of life. I’m so glad you got to help her with her gown.
God bless! And Happy Sewing!!
Just to let you know, you made my life so much easier to do my granddaughters gown for A a wedding party that she’s in❤
That’s awesome!!! Yay! That makes me so happy.
I don't have your confidence, so I pin and hand baste before I use the machine. It takes longer, but it helps me. This was a great tutorial.
There is nothing wrong with that. Do what you need to do to feel secure in doing a great job. I often take way longer than some of my sewing friends because I am a perfectionist and I’m always checking my work to make sure I don’t mess up someone’s beautiful gown.
Just keep being you!! I’m sure you are doing amazing!
God bless!
-Christa
You are so clear and helpful. I really needed to see how to do this. Thank you!😊
Thank you so much! 😊
Thank you so much for this bagged hem tutorial! I’ve got 3 gowns in my sewing room now with bagged hems. Seem to be seeing more and more of them. I appreciate your instructions so much.
I love Duke, your 🐈. Have a senior rescue dog with the same name. He’s my sewing assistant. 😂
I love it! We all need a Duke 👑 to “lord” over our sewing projects. 😂 ♥️ 🐈 🐕
Yes! I’m getting so many bagged hems these days as well. I don’t know why so many designers are doing them. 🤷♀️
Have a beautiful day!
-Christa
Thank you so much for being so thorough with your alterations! You are a great teacher because you explain everything so well.❤
Oh thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️
I want to thank you for this tutorial. I have been altering bridesmaids dresses and prom dress and this is soooo helpful!!
Oh 💗 Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’m so so glad it helped. Thank you for watching my video.
Thank you Christa, I have been searching for a video of a bagged hem and you are the only one that I found that took the time to show how it’s done. Duke is adorable! I subscribed to your channel today and will keep watching for more tips. 😊
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing Helen!!
I appreciate your encouragement so much! I am close to making a video explaining why I haven’t made videos in a while. And also about to start making them again. Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me!
God bless! And happy sewing!
-Christa
Thank you so much for the detailed instructions!! I look forward to seeing more sewing videos from you. I love Mr. Duke 😊
Thank you so much for watching! And for your sweet comment.
Duke is funny. He was determined to be part of the video. 😂❤️
I love how clear and easy you tutorial. Thanks to Share your experience
Thank you so much!
Thank you for watching! And for your encouraging comment. 🩷
Enjoyed your video. I'm self taught so sit here wide eyed when you explain so clearly. It's just practice, however scarey business dealing with satin. I've subscribed.
Awe! Thank you so much for watching!
What an encouraging comment. Thank you so much. 🩷
You are right, Satin can be scary. Lol Actually, it’s not scary anymore to me since I’ve worked with it so long. But I do remember when I first started and it was slipping all over my machine.
Thank you so much for subscribing!
Happy Sewing!
-Christa
I truly enjoy your videos. I do very little alterations now days. At one time it was a part-time job for me. I now mainly sew for family and close friends. I love to sew and learn new techniques -- especially the new techniques for future alterations.😊 keep sharing you do such an awesome job teaching/explaining the technique.
Awe! Thank you so much!! I appreciate your comment! You made my day!
God bless!
And Happy Sewing!
-Christa
Thank you for this tutorial, I have done lots of sewing over the years. Brides & bridal parties but it has been an age since I tackled any 'expensive' projects. Now I find myself altering & hemming 5 bridesmaids dresses. This has given me the refresher & confidence to get the job done. Your technique is very much what I would have used in the past, now that you have lifted the fog brain. Thank you.
That’s awesome! I’m so excited. Thank you for your comment. Sometimes all we need is a refresh to clear any doubt or “fogginess”. Often, “before I start”, is the hardest part. My brain gets all tangled on how hard it is going to be to figure it out. But as soon as I dive in my mind starts figuring it out. Usually it was easier that I originally thought.
You will have to let me know how the dresses came out when you are done. I’ll be saying a little prayer for you.
Happy sewing Felicity!
-Christa
I think most of the prom (and morp) dressed that I hemmed last year were bagged hems. I use a similar method on them. Thank you for the work you do to teach people. I have been sewing since I was a kid (in the '70's), and love sewing historical garments, especially ACW ball gowns. Unfortunately, we no longer reenact, so for the last few years, it's been modern prom and wedding gowns. Plus making children's clothes.
Thank you so much!! 😊
So many dresses are done with this hem these days. I think there are more now than ever.
I too was a child in the 70s learning to sew. I love that we have that in common.
Oh reenactment clothing is so amazing and can be so difficult. That’s awesome that it is in your background. I bet it makes sewing prom and bridal much easier.
Thank you so much for watching and hanging out with me!
Happy sewing!
-Christa
Your tutorial is so helpful! I am a quilter but trying to learn more about garment sewing. You are a really good teacher. I am very fortunate to have a Bernina with a dual feed so my fabrics usually feed through quite evenly. However, your demonstrations and explanations are really important to keep in mind. I don't usually pin, but for my daughter's bridesmaid dress (several layers of rolled hems), I used lots of clover wonder clips 🙂 It came out really nice. The bagged hem looks extra challenging.
Thank you so so much for your encouragement ❤️❤️❤️
A dual feed, wow! I don’t think I even heard of that. How amazing!! That would be wonderful. However, I wonder if I would struggle since it’s second nature from all these years of tugging on my fabric to even it out. 😄
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!! I appreciate you so much
God bless! And Happy Sewing!
Christa
Wow! It is easy to do following this method! Makes sense! Thank You!
Oh that makes me soooo happy!
Thank you!
Great Tutorial, you are nice and clear in your explanations.
I have only just found you after altering 1prom dress, 2 bridesmaids dresses and making a wedding dress.
Thank you sooo much! 🤗
Wow! That’s awesome! You had a busy Spring/Summer. I wish there was a way to add photos on RUclips. I would love to see the wedding gown you made. ❤️
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed
Yay!! Thank you so much!!
Great video and very well explained. I see you used the lazy man thread. That is what I alway do. My Grandmother alway told me not to do that because it will tangle but mostly I still use a very long thread. Thank you for all of your ideas. I really got a lot out of your invisible side panels video..
Thank you so much!!
Lol on the long “lazy man’s thread”. I had a seamstress friend who said that her sewing teacher would walk by with a pair of scissors and cut anyone’s thread that was long. And she would make them start over. ✂️ 😬😂
I wouldn’t have survived that class. Lol
I get impatient with short thread. 🧵 It makes me crazy to have to keep retreading and knotting. But then again, I probably spend more time untangling. 😂😂 🤷♀️
Habits. Lol
Thanks for watching! And for your kind and fun comment.
Happy sewing!
So thankful for this information. I was starting the hem on my G-daughters prom dress all wrong. I am going to remeasure too to ensure it does not turn out too short. I'm still a bit shaky on making the inside liner shorter but fairly certain after I re-watch again I'll figure it out. Thank you
Oh I’m so glad it came just at the right time. These hems can seem scary. And frustrating. But you got this! ❤️❤️❤️
Let me know how it goes. Saying a little prayer for you. 🤗
I enjoy sewing but have been sooo nervous about hemming my daughters prom gown. Your video is so helpful! Thank you!
You can do it! ❤️❤️❤️
I’m so glad you found this helpful.
Let me know how it goes!
Great video, you explained each step so well. Thank you, ❤
Thank you so much Emily! Thank you for watching, and thank you for the encouragement.
Happy sewing! 💗
I needed this! Perfect Thank you!!
Oh yay!! Thank you for letting me know.
Great Video!! Thank you for Sharing!!! Just found your site!!!! I love it!!!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found me. I’m grateful to have you on the journey with me. ❤️
Now that the crazy bridal season is over, I have some new videos planned to start filming. 🤗
Thank you so much for watching and commenting.
Very good info. Thank you!
Thank you so much Karen!
God bless!
-Christa
Excellent tutorial ❤
Thank you so much!! 😊 🤗
Wonderful.. many thanks.
But I can’t figure out how to turn it right side out!
I did the hem leaving an opening to turn the dress. But it looked like I had made a big 29:03 error. So I turned it wrong side again..
can’t turn it !
Many thanks
Is there a trick to turning it at the hem side.
Hello 👋 😊
Open up a lining side seam to then pull it to the inside out position. Then sew. Then pull back through the side seam. 😃
No worries! We have all done that. lol 😅
Thank you, Christa, for this video! I am hemming a gown for a friend's daughter and it has a bagged hem. I hope my process of sewing goes as well as yours did!
I do have a Digital Feed Foot on my Baby Lock machine which should help feed the layers evenly.
Also - where can I purchase a good mannequin - and how many do you need to have good size range?
Oh awesome!! I’m so glad it helped.
Praying it goes smoothly.
That digital feed foot should be a big help.
God bless and Happy Sewing!
-Christa
Oh and I don’t remember the exact size of mannequin. I think it might be 8 to 10. I used to have a 12 to 14 but because the parts are plastic it fell apart after many years of use.
I got it at a local fabric store before buying on the internet was a thing. 😅 But I’m sure you could get them online.
I kind of wish I had 3. One for the super tiny girls, One plus size and one in the middle. But even when I had 2 there were many dresses that didn’t fit.
I no longer use them to fit bodices etc. just mainly for hems and bustles. So I can fit almost any dress on here with the use of clamps.
😊❤️
Thank you!
❤️ you are so welcome! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 🤗
Lovely results! My method is different but I do get a great result. I mark the hem with small safety pins (they are good, sharp steel). I lay it on my big table and cut 5/8” below the pins. I make about 4 tailor tacks (8, actually, marking the dress and lining separately around the hem using 4 different color threads - 5 or so inches above the pins. 4 is plenty.
Now I remove all pins, open the lining about 12” and flip it inside out. I match my thread tacks by color so I know I’m lined up and ready for some pins. I pin with 1/4” lining peeking out past the dress edge. Using my hands to keep equal tension on the fabrics I let the machine pull it through. I use a longer stitch length in case it needs to be adjusted. I press to set my stitches then turn right side out and press the hem flat. Finally I close the lining. This method takes me 2 hours or less. I really like your method too, but I am a giant chicken when it comes to using purple marker!!!
You are amazing! Thank you for doing these videos!
😊💕
Oh I love that. I’m going to keep this, reread it and try this method. Thank you so much! I’m always amazed at seamstress friends and their ingenuity. I love learning things from them. Thank you so much for sharing this alternative way!
Thank you for this amazing tutorial. I am hemming my daughter’s wedding dress which has this hem. However hers has an inch wide mesh stabilizer in the hem also. How would you handle that? Do you have a tutorial on that? Thank you in advance.
Oh my goodness. That is horse hair.
I just remove it from the area and then stitch it to the bottom of the seam allowance.
I’m trying to figure out how to explain that on text. 🤔
Basically you don’t have to worry about stitching it exactly the way it was stitched down. Just secure it to the bottom and when you flip it back right side out, it will be inside and work perfectly.
I hope that makes sense 🤓
@@christasdressshoppe thank you, that is exactly how I was thinking of doing it. I think perhaps hand sewing it back on maybe better, as to not distort it. Thank you so much for your response, much appreciated!!
Hand sewing works too. Horsehair does like to get wonky easily. lol
A little tip (if it’s not too late) is the use a knit or jersey needle on your sewing machine. The rounded tip allows it to slide past the plastic threads of the horsehair.
@@christasdressshoppe oh thank you so much, it’s not too late. We just did her dress fitting and I will be hemming in the next few weeks. Thank you so much 🥰
I am so glad to have found this video. I have to shorten a wedding gown for my son's friend, and it has about a 4 to 5 wide strip of horse hair in the front of the gown, the part that needs shortened. This dress has a super long train, so I'm planning to just shorten the area in the front between the two front side seams. I'm super nervous to take this thing apart. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you, Christa (my daughter's name)! I've been sewing for almost 60 years, and done a variety of alterations, but had never done a bagged hem. 'Til now. I knew I'd be opening a seam, but really just got lazy and didn't want to think too long on what happens after that. (lol) Here is my other question: I have no idea what to charge for things like this. I do a lot of home dec sewing for a designer and she has taught me the ropes on charging for that, but as to alterations, I'm fairly certain I don't charge enough. (Not that the clients complain.) Any input from you in this regard would be welcome!
I love that your daughter is named Christa. ♥️ I would also love to know what made you name her Christa? There aren’t a lot of us out there. At least with a CH
As far as charging. I may be on the lower side as well. Some cities can charge more. We live in a
Smaller town in southern Idaho.
I would charge somewhere close to :
Wedding gown, starting at $200. More for other layers.
Bridesmaids dress about $75
Prom - maybe about the same as bridesmaids unless there are more layers.
You will find that those prices are nationally.
Thank you so much for your kind comment by the way!! ♥️♥️♥️
Thank YOU for being part of that kind community ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Excellent tutorial. I love my pins as well. Security is the correct word 😅
I really enjoyed watching. Can you share where you bought your desk lamp sitting up against window? Thank you
Security ! 🤗❤️
Thank you so much!
Gosh, I probably got that desk lamp 15 or 20 years ago. I’m sure it was at either a target, a Shopko (which no longer exists) or a Fred Myer (Kroger). Basically a home goods store. I love it because you can plug things into it. It has outlets.
Thanks so much for commenting and watching!
-Christa
@@christasdressshoppe o thank you for responding. It is the USB plugs at the lamp base I really like. I looked up hotel nightstand lamps on Amazon and I found one. Thanks again. Love all your videos
@@DiannaAtherton yay! I’m so glad you found one!!! 🩷
Great tutorial! I’ve never hemmed anything like this before and am really nervous about the fabrics shifting and bunching, even with pins. Do you think it would help to use a walking foot?
Hello Melanie 💗
Thank you for watching and for your kind comment. A walking foot would work great on this. I have one that I love to use on other projects. I forget to use it or don’t take time to put it on, unless I run across completely frustrating fabric. But yes! It would help a lot.
That’s a great suggestion. Thank you for mentioning it.
@@christasdressshoppe😮
I get some crazy pin lines! I’m always worried that I pinned wrong. So uneven compared to when they bought the dress from the store all lined up! Btw I too have a cranky back!
I get those too! Sometimes it’s because chiffon hems are always a little messed up, right from the factory. Or stretch in spots when hanging in a store.
But another thing that can happen is your customer shifts as you are pinning. They can get so wiggly. Lol
I ask them to look straight ahead in the mirror and evenly on both feet. 😃
And yay for cranky backs. Lol
So for fabric shifting would you ever recommend a walking foot ? 17:16 I’m always learning so I’m curious what your thoughts are ?
Oh yes! Absolutely!
I love my walking foot. I can’t believe how many times I forget to pull it out though. lol Old habits die hard. lol
On the bagged hem on the prom dress, you mentioned that you were making sure that one was little longer and the other was a little shorter. Are you adjusting the 2 fabrics to create this, or, does the fabric naturally fall this way. I am getting ready to shorten a bridesmaid dress with a bagged hem.
If you are keeping the original hem in tact and turning inside out, it should keep the same shorter lining as original.
But if you cut it you will need to adjust it so that the outer layer is longer and has room to roll up. And the lining is a little shorter.
I’m curious wouldn’t an even feed presser foot eliminate that pull from the bottom feed?
Yes!!! Definitely 💯
I have a prom dress that I am doing for a client I'm a seamstress and the prom dress is an enclosed hem do I do the same process that you're doing? the dress that I have does not have a slit on the side is the process the same? Thank you in advance for any advice you have😊
Yes, you will do it the exact same way. The slit just had me stopping at the slit opening and you would just sew all the way through. It’s actually easier without the slit.
I hope that helps.
Happy sewing!!
-Christa
How did you iron it? Did you splay the liner towards itself and the satin towards itself or did you fold both layers towards one direction and press (and which way, if you did)?
Usually on a bagged hem the liner is slightly shorter, so the easiest way I find to press it is to put it on my mannequin first to get the layers to lay right. I pin the hem with vertical pins that are slightly above the area I will press.
Then taking it off my mannequin and placing it on my ironing board I press. Then check it again on the mannequin to make sure my press line is correct.
I hope that makes sense. And I hope it helps. So sorry I didn’t add that detail to the video. I will add it for future videos.
@@christasdressshoppe Thank you.
@@joybrown8644 you are so welcome! ♥️♥️
I am hemming a bridesmaid dress with a bagged hem. What do I to create the "lip" on the fashion (outter) fabric so that the lining is a little shorter ?
Hello Cynthia,
Thank you for this important question.
If you keep the original seam in tact, and turn inside out to sew, it should maintain its shorter lining.
You do have to think ahead and sew it a little longer to take into consideration the top layer rolling up into the lining. So watch for that so your hem isn’t too short.
If you cut it before hand, you can sew it shorter by pulling the lining slightly longer on the cut edge. (Boy, that’s really hard to type out- I hope it makes sense)
Christa, thank you for your prompt reply. I have a couple more questions. I pinned the hem up to the finished length. Is it best to leave the original hem in tact or open it? And am I stitching in the crease or below the crease? If so, how much below the
crease? I am working on this dress tomorrow. I want to make sure the lining is not longer than the dress. I hope this makes sense. I will probably watch your great video several times before I start this project... Great Video
I Love my pins also.
I noticed you have the adjustable manikin. how do you like that one? I wanted to get into alterations for my granddaughter who is only 14 now. so I guess I would need something to grow with her. ? any suggestions?
Hello Andrea! Thank you for watching.
I have to be honest, even though I have had 3 of these similar mannequins, they break pretty fast. All the parts are plastic so the movable parts stop working pretty quickly.
I still use them for years and years until they completely fall apart. They are good for hems and for basic stuff. Things that I need to see on a “person”. But I can’t do fittings according to measurements (except hem measurements)
I just wish they would make the moving parts out of metal. It would make it more worth the money.
If you do buy one, just dial the measurements in very slowly and carefully. Also, if you can find a used one that’s in new condition, it would make it much more worth the investment.
I hope you find a really great deal out there. And I pray the company that makes these parts in metal parts soon. 😄
Thank you again for hanging out with me!
God bless!
-Christa
Thanks ! Please make more videos about dress alterations! Take in let out, straps shorter…
Thank you for those suggestions. Ok I will definitely film those soon.
I recently subscribed to your channel and I am new to bridal alterations and my first dress is for the mother of the bride but really looks like a bride's dress. The dress has four layers (lining, dress, tulle overlay (netting) and the top layer with horse hair attached to it. The dress is too long, is bagged in and has the horsehair webbing. Is this too much for a beginner???
Oh dear!
You did get the worst of the worst for one of your first jobs in bridal.
If you have a background in sewing you should be fine. But it will probably take you much longer than expected. Prepare for that.
But on the bright side, you will be learning some amazing skills that you will carry into your career in bridal. And the next gown will probably be easier.
Sometimes we learn the best when we are thrown into the deep end. I have learned most of my skills this way. I had to learn because there was no other way.
I try to analyze how the factory put it together and then try to copy that to return the dress to the original design.
I’ll be praying for you today Cynthia. Many of my skills came that way too. When things seem bigger than my skills I look to the original Creator to give me wisdom.
I’m excited to hear how it goes! Please keep me updated.
-Christa
Question on the height of the mannequin is the height with shoes or without?
Hello 😊
Hight is with shoes. 👠
Newbie here. I found your video after I already ripped out the seam for the original hem. Any suggestions?
Oh no!
But it’s ok. You can still make it work. In fact that’s how I did it when I first started working with these hems. You just have to sew it together (right sides together) like you would sew a pillow case. The only difference is that it’s difficult to turn inside out and know where you are. So sew it together in sections. Match the correct side seams together and sew those together and the sections around it. Turn it back and do the other side seam. Etc etc etc. Then the final would be to go through the lining side seam, turn it inside out and connect everything.
I hope that makes sense.
Thank you for taking the time to reply! I'll take a look and see what I can do. Looking forward to more of your videos!
I’ve been looking for a hemming tutorial on how to sew a bagged hem ( didn’t know it was called that). I‘ve got some basic sewing skills, but I want to attempt to hem my daughter’s prom dress. Any tips for helping me shorten the train would be really helpful; like how I would measure it out so the train is even on both sides as it trails out. Thanks!!!
I’m so glad you found me!
I used to call them envelope hems. I didn’t know what to call it either. I did them for years before I even knew. Lol
Oh boy! Shortening the train is “fun”. Lol not really. 😅 But to measure it out, place the dress on a mannequin or just have your daughter stand wearing the dress. If you are removing the hem you can just mark the floor like the front. Or if you are shortening the train, measure out from the floor line to your desired length. Or measure in from the outside edge of the train.
Turning it inside out to do the sewing is the biggest struggle. First problem is, sewing completely around it when inside out isn’t possible so you might have to sew in two steps.
If it was me sewing it, I might just cut the train off while on the mannequin (or prom girl) then use that opening to access the rest of the hem.
Good luck! And happy sewing! Let me know how it goes. 💗
So if I were to sew the hem in 2 parts, would I turn inside out and sew the front of the dress from side seam to side seam first, snip the strings, and then do the back/ train from side seam, back to side seam???
OR if I cut off part of the train to access the front of the dress hem, what would be the best way to sew up the train???
Thanks so much for the help… I’m a little anxious about doing this.
PS It’s actually the lining that has the bagged hem. The dress has about 3 layers of tulle over that, which I will cut off using a rotary cutter….. so I think the tulle will help hide some of my imperfections. 🙏🤞
PSS…. New subscriber!!
@@CGtube86 it’s hard to explain, but turning it inside out and sewing through a side seam makes it hard to get all the way around. So often I sew as far as I can without it becoming a tangled mess, then I put it back right side to get my bearings then back inside out to get the other part.
I almost can’t even get my head around it until I am in there. Lol
Luckily, like you said it’s the lining layers. That’s a good one to be your first bagged hem.
@@christasdressshoppe thanks
I DID IT!!! And it worked out great!!! Thanks
How do you fit accurately for someone who has a big bottom. The back appears shorter than the front . I have the hardest time pinning and getting a good hem
In that case I make sure to pin well on her. and then trust my pins no matter what the hem looks like on the mannequin.
I don’t use my mannequin for those or make sure I know to go extra long in the back.
Ty I just pinned someone wearing high heels and the back was higher than the front. She has a full bottom and I still can’t cut it! I’m having her come back because of your help. Ty!! I thought the back should be longer but she doesn’t want to trip while dancing. That’s tricky. I measured her just at the heel from floor up and boy it looks too high but she’s 55 and idk. Do you have email? I wish I could talk to someone every now and then about which direction to go with these alternations!! I’m not a novice, but sometimes I act like one!! Sewing for 40 years!
@@JohannesJunkJournalLife those big bottoms will definitely make it ride high. Sometimes, if they gain weight from the time you pin to the second fitting, it can really change it. Or if they change undergarments. Like Spanx.
Yes, feel free to email me at journey2shalom@gmail.com (I also answer at christasdressshoppe@gmail.com but I don’t answer as quickly there)
Have you ever come across a bagged hem with horsehair braid inside? I did one a few years ago, but it ended up being a pain. Do you work it similarly as in this video?
Yes I definitely have. In fact lately all the wedding gowns that come with a bagged hem, somehow have horse hair too. lol
They are usually sewn down on top and bottom to the inner layer. I used to try to put them back the same way. Now I just sew them to the bottom seam. They are usually under so many other layers of tulle that no one would miss the extra top stitch. 😁
So to clarify. I would sew the seam the same as this video but then sew the horse hair on to the seam allowance. Then turn it back right side out and press. 😁
One more question - (can you tell I’m nervous) when you were talking about pinning, you mentioned pinning to floor. When I pin my daughter’s dress & she has shoes on, do I pin @ floor and the 1/4 allowance from sewing will create that “perfect hand sweep” that you did at the end? Thank you ❤
Yes! ❤️ I pin to the floor and then the seam allowance will be the lift you need. If you are nervous, error on the too long side. (Sew longer than you pinned. You can always take it up a little more. OR (for the bagged hems, not rolled hems) leave plenty of seam if you trim it. That way you can always make a little longer.
PS also there is a secret trick on chiffon gowns and some other gowns if they end up a little short. Let me know if you need that secret.
@@christasdressshoppe thank you!!!
@@christasdressshoppeYes please, I need that secret!
@@lazarosmilios you can lengthen hems by steaming and stretching. This works really well for chiffon, tulle and lace gowns.
In one particular case, the hem was perfect but my bride was wanting it to drape on the floor. I hung it from my hook on the ceiling, steamed and stretched then hung clamps all along the hem, overnight. Then steamed and stretched the next day. It was a lace appliqué gown.
I got it to be almost 2 inches longer. This was the most I ever needed to do. Usually I just need a half inch or and inch.
@@findingshalom Thank you so much for your answer. 🙂
Do you bring your pins down to full length of the dress when making a train?
I pin to the length of the floor in the front and sides, I fade the hem as I move to the train (if I’m leaving the train). I believe this particular dress she had me remove the train, so then I did pin to the floor even on the back of the dress.
What do you charge for a dress like that? I also do formal gown and wedding alterations.
Oh gosh, that all depends on where you serve your community. There are variables between alteration charges depending on the economic area you live in.
Other variables that could be involved are if there are additional layers and what they are made from, or what the volume of the skirt is.
But just to give you an idea how the range between bridal, bridesmaids or other formals might go.
Possible amounts I would charge if it was a basic bagged hem.
Bridal - starting at $250
Bridesmaids (usually they are not as full) - $95-$120
Prom, other formal (usually have more volume/fullness then bridesmaid) $120 to $150
These are loosely estimated
I hope that helps you figure out your pricing.
Look through other comments on this video or other of my videos. I have broke down a way to figure out your prices quite a few times. You should be able to find a comment with much more detail. 😊
Hope that helps! God bless and happy sewing!
-Christa
I'm confused how you get the lining shorter than the outer layer because when you are pinning, the layers are laying against each other like normal. Is it making sure they are stretched out and even on the bottom because thats how it was factory sewn?
Great question!!
If you are leaving the original seam in and sewing your new seam while the old one is in tact, the lining will already be shorter from the original factory seam. That’s why I like to sew my new seam while the old one is still there.
The only thing to be careful of is not getting your hem too short because of the front shrinking into the into the lining.
The first time sewing one of these hems, try sewing it a little longer than you marked. (Like 1/4 inch)
Then turn it and test it to your marks and on the mannequin. Then you can sew a little shorter if needed.
I hope that helps. It’s hard to explain with just text.
Let me know!
Happy Sewing! Have a wonderful day!
-Christa
What would you do if it’s a black dress and the markers or chalk won’t show through.
I would probably mark with safety pins and then when I turn it inside out, I would mark with chalk. Or even then putting pins on the inside, Then remove the safety pins from the outside
😊 Hoping this works for you.
@ thank you!!! Thank you for the tutorial. It was exactly what I was looking for.
What size and/or mannequin do you have. I want to get one but don’t know what kind. I don’t want to waste my money on a cheap or expensive one!!
This one is one I got at my local fabric store. I used to have a plus size one as well. Unfortunately they aren’t cheap to buy (about $200) but they are very cheaply made 😢. It is adjustable but I never adjust it. The plastic parts break easily.
But even though I don’t adjust it I still use it for all kinds of sizes. Usually just for hems and bustles.
I just pin or clamp the dress on. 🤷♀️
I would love to buy a more expensive one. Like the fashion schools use. But those aren’t adjustable either. I would just buy one that is in a middle size. Like a 10, 12 or 14.
I would love to have 3. One for tiny sizes, one for the mid range and 1 plus sized.
Hi Christa, how much would you charge for that hem. (do you mind me asking?)
Hello Rita 🩷
Yes, absolutely! I can share that with you.
Price can depend on a few factors that I take into consideration.
1. The average amount of hours a project takes me. (Early on I kept a journal and found the average time a certain alteration takes me)
2. Experience - I have slowly raised my prices over the years. Not just for the cost of living but also my experience. I don’t lower my price if I get more efficient and start sewing faster. I continue to slightly raise the price because my expertise and professional quality raised.
3. I figure out what I need per hour and base my price on that. This is based on overhead, my experience etc. Sometimes I end up with a harder piece and it takes longer. But sometimes it’s easier and I get through it faster. I still stick to the price I quoted and it all seems to even out.
4. The area you live in. Big cities and states tend to get a higher price. But their cost of living and wages in the area are higher. I tend to have a lower price than a town just 2 hours away. Only because our wages here are lower etc. My brides are not able to pay as much as ones in the big city of Boise.
5. How full the skirt is and if there are additional layers. And whether it is bridal or other.
♥️ So with all that in mind.
For bridesmaids or prom = I usually charge $75 to $95 depending on fullness etc
For bridal = usually they have other layers like crinoline or even a horse hair top layer. So between $250 to $350
I hope that helps you assess your pricing.
Happy sewing!!
-Christa
@@christasdressshoppe thank you sooo so much - it is appreciated ( I am new to bridal as I mentioned before - so still feel uncertain
@@ritadiilio9089you will get more and more confident with time. Each alteration you do will challenge you but also help you learn new skills. Soon you will be repeating the same type of alterations and feeling more confident because you mastered them before. 🤗
What is the width of your seam allowance?
Looking at my machine markings, my seam allowance tends to be around 3/8 inch. I don’t really measure it because I mark where I want the final hem to be.
Too many years doing it I guess. I eyeball it. lol so bad
Baby wipes might work.
I love using baby wipes! 👍 the ones with no perfume etc. all natural.
Thank you! 😊
what size needle did you use in your machine and was it a sharp or ball point?
Thank you so much for watching. Great question! I use 80/12 sharp most of the time on most bridal and formal fabrics. I will use ballpoint (jersey/ knit) on horsehair or any formal knit, jersey etc.
@@christasdressshoppe 80/20 or 80/12? I'm not familiar with 80/20.
@@williamlang175 LOL I see my typo. I think I’m getting tired. Lol. I will correct that. So sorry. 80/12 😃
@@christasdressshoppe thank you so much for the clarification! :)
Christa what brand is your mannequin? I just bought a Drtiz and it is a piece of crap. I am so disappointed.
I just looked all over my mannequin and can’t find the brand. However, I just got it at my local JoAnn’s fabrics years ago. It is just as cheap as all these horrible mannequins. I had two. A plus size one that I had to throw away a few years back. If you try to adjust them the plastic parts break so fast. This one broke but luckily I got it to close evenly. I don’t use it for sizes but to mainly hold the dress to the right height for hems.
I have envied the expensive designer ones many of my sewing friends have. The non adjustable ones. But I just haven’t had the extra money to spend on those.
Hope that helps. I wish they made these adjustable ones with metal parts. 😢
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🤗 ❤️
Waisting my time , boring 😢
Well God bless you for your honesty. 😄
If you're going to be critical, you probably need to make sure you spell correctly. 😂
🤣