The Sewing Place

Shortening a vest.

hernibs

Shortening a vest.
« on: February 18, 2021, 17:16:21 PM »
Wondering if you could advise me.....  the housebound woman I visit had me shorten a vest for her - it is one like this in off white/ivory 50%polyester 50% viscose....the usual pointinelle fabric.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/2-pack-thermal-pointelle-vests/p/clp60273631#&gid=1&pid=5
I have already shortened one by retaining the original hem and folding in the excess length.  Then stitched on the line of stitching at the hem.....whilst it was shortened yes I wasn't that happy with it - what I did after that row of 'stretch' stitching was to trim off the excess fold with pinking shears....I felt it wasn't 'tidy enough' and did a row of zig zag around it which I felt made it too firm.
Please take into account that I do not have anything only a basic machine with stretch stitch.
Can you advise me a better way to deal with the rest of the vests to retain the soft hem.  I wondered if there was a stretch elastic lacey thing which I might attach should I cut off the excess length and go from there and forget about retaining the original hem.  Hope you can understand where I am coming from.  Thanks in advance.

SkoutSews

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2021, 17:51:35 PM »
I don't think I'm really in a position to offer you advice @hernibs, but the way I'd tackle it would be to turn up a double hem in the usual way (press up one inch, then press again to the crease to give a half - inch, you know well what I mean...) then sew with a zigzag stitch.
There will be a better way I'm sure.

Catllar

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2021, 18:37:05 PM »
I wouldn't worry about retaining the original hem and whatever you do won't look the same without the specialist machines they use to hem.

 I think in your place I'd simply cut off the excess less your new hem depth then get a bit of tissue paper about 3cms wide and put a layer both under and on top of the fabric ( make a sandwich) and then zigzag round the edge of the cut edge . The paper will prevent the hem from stretching out too much. 

Tear out the bit of paper that would be on the inside of the new hem. Fold your new hem up and zig zag into place then have hours of fun removing the tissue paper.
If life gives you lemons, add to gin and tonic !

BrendaP

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2021, 18:39:15 PM »
The original looks as though it's hemmed with a narrow coverstitch.  A twin needle in a regular machine will give a similar effect on the front.

The other alternative would be fold over elastic, but then that's likely to make for a stiff hem.

I have the opposite problem, a lot of vests are too short; I can't imagine ever needing to shorten one!
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

hernibs

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2021, 22:54:20 PM »
Thanks to all of you - I'll take the advice on board....haven't used a twin needle in this machine - will have to see if that's possible...says she reaching for the manual.....grateful to you three!

Catllar

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2021, 11:58:08 AM »
@hernibs  - how did you get on with the vest?
If life gives you lemons, add to gin and tonic !

hernibs

Re: Shortening a vest.
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2021, 13:17:51 PM »
Afternoon @Catllar .....yes, what I did was a trial run on the excess fabric...zig-zagged the raw edge being careful not to stretch (was trying it without paper to not have to gather the bits).
Then turned it up and just zig-zagged again.
So just repeated all that on the three vests and have to say it was so much better than retaining the original hem.
Many thanks for your help. Grateful to you!
Joyce