I found this cute little cotton peasant shirt at Target this weekend. I liked everything about it except that it had elastic in the hem. I’m sorry but if you are not a rail thing thing a shirt that blouses up over an elastic hem is not the most attractive thing.
I figured removing the elastic wouldn’t be a big deal, just cut open the hem in one spot & pull out the elastic. Of course nothing is ever that easy is it. The elastic was actually sewn into the hem to prevent it from twisting. So, I ended up having to take out the whole hem, cut the stitches holding in the elastic & them resewing the whole hem. Not a hard project by any means but more time consuming than I had planned. It was worth is though because the shirt is really cute without the elastic & may become a staple in my summer wardrobe.
© 2005 – 2011 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
Looks better without the elastic 😀
I have a shirt that is kind of like this. I don't mind the elastic except it has completely twisted inside. I'm assuming, then, that it's not sewn into the hem. Maybe I should go ahead and do it myself.
I’m afraid that’s what I’ve just come up against. I have to take the whole hem apart to then pick out the elastic stitching? The fabric is kind of gauzy – how likely am I to destroy the blouse? (I’m not an experienced sewer by any means.) Thank you for any help or advice you can give me.
You’ll have to pick the stitches really carefully and not catch the fabric. Get out your reading glasses and work under a strong light. My only other worry is you can see the holes from the stitching when you are done. If that happens, I’ve found that iron with steam or a spray bottle of water can help. Of course, I say this without know exactly what the fabric is.