Re: Help! I need pinking shears!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@spent2much wrote:
@Kachina624 Before you call someone sloppy, it may (or may not) interest you to know that I have had 17 surgeries and I suffer with chronic pain every hour of every day of my life. I am looking for the easiest way to hem HOUSE dresses. No one but my husband is going to see me in them. I have, however, appreciated the other comments about what to use after the cut with pinking shears, etc.

@spent2much. I did not call you sloppy. Stop misinterpreting my comment. I called that method of hemming a garment sloppy, which it is. If it makes you happy, go for it.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

If it's thin cotton the tape might not work. Last Sunday I had company over for dinner. I had a house dress that was too long. I sew but didn't feel like sewing.

I cut 2 pieces of ribbon to a certain length, rolled up one side of the dress, placed one peice of the ribbon on the inside of the dress and the other end on the outside. Used a safety pin and placed it on the inside while holding the ribbon and pinned it on the inside. Did the same thing on the other side. That took care of it for me.

I've also done it with blouses that were too long.

And yes @spent2much the shears will work also.

BirkiLady · ‎02-22-2015

@spenttoomuch

Since you plan to wear these only at home, use the pinking shears! Who cares what it looks like at home as long as you are comfortable.

I just had a shift dress shortened 3" . . . simple to do, but my Lupus continues to bother my hands (they shake) and I'm unable to thread my sewing machine. Dang! I finally decided to take the cotton summer dress to the alterations lady. She charged $31.00 to remove 3" of fabric and resew the straight hem! That seemed like highway robbery to me.

Anybody have anything altered laterly? It's been a while since I have and it was a big surprise for such an easy job.

Money screams; wealth whispers.

Dusty1 · ‎03-10-2010

@spent2much I have never found a pair of pinking shears that worked very well. Especially on thin fabric. It just chews on it.

I do like Fiskars scissors the best. My Ginghers are too heavy & the Fiskars cut just as well.

Do you have any friends or relatives that might help you?

Your husband could do this easily, if he is able.

A youtube video, a pair of scissors (He might make you a shorty nightgown! Woo woo!), a sewing machine or needle & thread.

I wish I was close I could do it for you. Or any of my grandsons. They are excellant seamsters!

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

Stitch Witchery was the iron-on tape I used to do quick hems several years ago; it worked well. If your housedresses are thin cotton, it should work even better. You can probably find it at Hobby Lobby, Jo Anns, or Amazon. I don't think the pinking shears will help much since they don't work well on thin fabrics, in my experiences. I am sorry you are dealing with such constant pain....I hope you can fix your garments so they are just the way you want them.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@spent2much wrote:
I have several "house dresses" that need hemming and I don't hem. I used to sew, but no more. (Mom, where are you when I need you?) 💖

Amazon has sooooo many pinking shears and I have no idea which ones to get. The house dresses are a thin cotton. I figure if I use pinking shears, the fabric won't fray. (Hope I'm right about that.) {*_*} TIA

A few ideas.

Our public library offers a free sewing service one day a month. Volunteers will mend and hem garments for those who can't sew. Maybe your public library offers something like this?

Are you on Nextdoor? People often post on our local Nextdoor calls for help with sewing and repairing garments. And kind people in the neighborhood often respond with offers to help.

Our local sewing machine stores also offer to connect those with sewing needs with volunteers who hem and repair zippers. You might try giving local sewing machine stores a call. I know a lot of ladies who volunteer in this fashion.

I gave up on pinking sheers long ago.

The iron-on hem tape is really the way to go. It doesn't hold up the hem forever, but it will survive the wash.

Good luck!

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Dusty1 wrote:
@spent2much I have never found a pair of pinking shears that worked very well. Especially on thin fabric. It just chews on it.
I do like Fiskars scissors the best. My Ginghers are too heavy & the Fiskars cut just as well.
Do you have any friends or relatives that might help you?
Your husband could do this easily, if he is able.
A youtube video, a pair of scissors (He might make you a shorty nightgown! Woo woo!), a sewing machine or needle & thread.
I wish I was close I could do it for you. Or any of my grandsons. They are excellant seamsters!

I 100% agree with you. I sew and I have good sharp pinking shears. Unless the fabric is crisp, pinking shears are not going to cut the fabric neat and smooth.

The fabric is going to get chewed up. Plus,they will not stop the fabric from fraying.

Since the dresses will just be worn around the house, why would it matter if they were a little long, unless they were maxi length?

I would go with the hem tape. This type of tape has been improved since years ago.

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

If you're only going to wear them around the house is it really a big deal that they are too long? I think a dress that's too long looks better than a dress that has been cut by pinking shears.

Just a thought.

~Whenever a king sees that his people are about to revolt, he starts a war...~ Napoleon