How to sew something

[sherrardk]

I am rubbish at sewing and need to take up a hem on a school costume - whats the best way to di it? I haven't got any of that iron on stuff and really should get it done tonight. It is the width of a double bed sheet so there is quite a lot to do. Thanks for your help (will check back once thing 1 and thing 2 are asleep).

[erin-x]

Do you have a sewing machine? That would be the quickest way. Apart from that and the webbing, I think the only way is to hand stitch it. It wont take as long if you just tack it up... just do wide stitches and it should hold ok :)

[boxtops]

You thread your needle.... with the hem facing you. Fasten the thread, then (assuming you are right handed) slide the needle a quarter of an inch into the hem fold and out again (inside the fold). Pull the thread through, pick up a single thread from the main part of the costume, then slide the needle inside the hem fold again - and so on, until you've finished. Press on the wrong side.

[maggiebee]

I would turn up hem then iron it flat. This should keep it in place while you can do a long running stitch (as suggested by boxtops)

[sherrardk]

No sewing machine (wouldn't know where to start), will the runnning stitch thing look messy or will it be ok as it's on a cape that reaches the ground?

[sophie_1003]

For a school costume sherrard I wouldn't worry too much; would think running stitch would be fine!

[erin-x]

It will look okay.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tack_(sewing)
If it's for a costume i'm assuming that it will only be worn once or twice.. the tacking should be fine :)

[sherrardk]

I did manage to borrow a costume but the cloak thing had flowers on it and boy #2 wouldn't wear it (although he said he would if he had to but I couldn't make him wear something he was so unhappy about wearing - he had big, huge tears in his eyes).

[sherrardk]

I've finished the hem thing, took ages and I now need glasses but it is done! (Quite pleased with myself as the stitches are titchy and really even.) Just have to sew the 2m of sparkly ribbon down the sides and the jobs done (apart from the crown).

[Cowtipper]

I would have stapled the darn thing and been done with it.

[sophie_1003]

Aww sherrard; bet he will look fab! When's the play?

[sherrardk]

No idea Sophie, girl did the proper nativity thing earlier this week (with a proper note asking for the costume). Boy #2 just asked me for the costume so hoping he hasn't got the wrong end of the stick! Might be something up the church (it's a C of E school), hope not though, as the church is always freezing cold (even in summ).

[RATTER15]

Glue it!!

[sherrardk]

I'm not really allowed to use glue aft the Super Glue incident! I also feel duty bound to do the stay-at-home-mam thing and make the bloody thing (bought the girl's Mary costume though).

[karenmac60]

Cowtipper - my dad did that with my trouser hems when I was wee :)