How to Shorten a Lined Wool Skirt
Whether you are petite or simply hoping to restyle an old garment into something new and fashionable, hemming skirts is a useful skill that can save you money. While some skirts are quite simple to hem, hemming a lined wool skirt may pose some additional challenges. There are easy hemming techniques to make doing your own alterations simple.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk (optional)
- Glass headed sewing pins
- Seam ripper
- Scissors
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Needle
- Thread
Instructions
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How to Shorten a Lined Wool Skirt
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1
Look at the construction of your lined wool skirt. Does it have a separate slip style lining or are the lining and skirt been treated as one? If the lining is separate at the hemline, you will need to hem both the lining and the outer fabric of your skirt. If they are sewn together, you will hem them together.
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2
Determine how much you want to shorten your skirt. Mark your new hem length. You can measure up from the current hem and mark a line or you can opt to wear your skirt and ask a friend to mark an even line with tailor's chalk or pins. If you are shortening your skirt substantially, consider opting for the latter for a more even hem.
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3
Rip the seams of the the original hem in the lining and the outer fabric of your skirt. In some cases, you may find that the lining and skirt are sewn together along the hemline or have been hemmed as one. Remove this stitching, if that is the case.
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4
Set your iron to the wool setting. Press your skirt flat. Adjust your iron as needed and press the lining smooth as well. Press your marked hemline into place and pin securely on both the lining and outer fabric. Try on your skirt and make sure that you are happy with the new length.
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5
Allow a 1 1/2-inch hem allowance below your marked hemline on the outer fabric. Cut away excess fabric. If you are hemming the skirt and lining as one, baste the lining and outer fabrics together 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge. This can be done by hand or machine. Press the fabric under 1/2 inch from the edge to form a neat, finished edge. Blind stitch into place. For a slip style lining, hem the outer as suggested with a blind stitch. Hem the lining 1/2 inch shorter than the outer fabric to prevent it from showing. You may hem the lining by hand or machine, as this will not be visible.
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Tips & Warnings
If you prefer to machine stitch your outer fabric hem, consider adding trim or ribbon to hide the stitching.
