The Sewing Place

The Emporia => Access All Accessories => Topic started by: toileandtrouble on March 08, 2017, 13:14:25 PM

Title: Norah Batty tights
Post by: toileandtrouble on March 08, 2017, 13:14:25 PM
Having bought several boxes of extra large tights - large too short in the legs, I found they are about a foot (30cm) too long after the lycra has got to work.  I set out OK but end up in town looking like NB.   :(  It's too late to take them back for a refund, so I want to shorten the legs on my overlocker.  The only way the fabric will feed is with a layer of woven underneath and over, which leaves a thick ridge. Any ideas on how to get a neat rolled edge?
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: UttaRetch on March 08, 2017, 13:27:07 PM
I bought two pairs of extra large from Evans.  Clearly their extra large is different from those of other stores, and wrinkle around my ankles, which is fine because I wear them with boots.  Take them back if you can.
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: Vegegrow on March 08, 2017, 13:49:54 PM
possibles..?...what about trying that clear flat elastic you put into the seams of jersey knits?
             Or 1/8th or 1/4" chiffon ribbon maybe
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: Efemera on March 08, 2017, 15:01:35 PM
What about a washable stabiliser .. or pull the leg taut by pulling each side of the blade  as it's going through the machine
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: Catllar on March 08, 2017, 16:40:13 PM
I'd second the wash-away stabiliser option.
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: Vegegrow on March 08, 2017, 20:01:35 PM
Yep that sounds like a good idea...
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: datcat23 on March 08, 2017, 20:43:18 PM
I have had some luck, with shortening tights on my regular sewing machine, rather than the overlocker.  I put some sew-in interfacing under and on top of the tights, stretch them slightly, and then sew across the leg with a tight zig zag or lightning stitch (stretch stitch).  I will go over the seam a couple of time to be sure, and then trim back the excess tights, and interfacing.  The seam is still a bit bulky, but not as much as the overlocker. 
Title: Re: Norah Batty tights
Post by: Tamnymore on March 09, 2017, 21:13:03 PM
Sounds like an excellent idea, datcat. I'm afraid I think tights are just things that don't usually defy the laws of gravity very effectively!  -<