Re: How to shorten trouser

"Neil A." wrote:
> 
> Can anyone explain to me or point to a website which shows how to
> shorten trousers.  I can give $16 to the local rip-off korean
> laundry/altering shop who use a machine and do a butchering job... but
> I would like to know how I can do it myself or buy some machine (maybe
> a hand held sewing gizmos) that might help me do that?
> 
> thank you!

Put the treousers on and get a friend to mark where you want them to be
turned up to with a pin.

Turn the hems up to this mark: sew with needle and thread, using strong
fine thread (I use silk).  There are instructions for several hemming
stitches on my web site: hit the URL below and look for 'Hemming at the
end' in Kate's Sewing Room.  Press the edge of the hem and the crease
ONLY!  You do not want to press ridges into your trouser hems.  If there
is a lot to turn up, trim it down to about an inch.  If the trouser legs
taper towards the hem, the edge you sew to the leg will be smaller than
the bit if leg you sew it to: remember to allow for this when
stitching.  I usually leave a gap in the stitching at front and back
crease to allow for this.  Be careful to use smallish stitches and not
to pull the thread tight.

A needle and thread is your cheapest reliable sewing gizmo: those hand
held electric things are a complete waste of money and a packet of
needles will last years doing this, whereas you will be lucky to get a
week's use out of one of those things!  They also cost about £20, and a
pack of needles costs less than £2.

I, on the very rare occasion I accept an alteration job, charge £5 per
leg for trouser hems.  More if they have turn-ups/cuffs.  $7 per pair is
cheap.  If your trousers cost more than £60 per pair, find a tailor who
does alterations.  Good alterations are worth paying for.  Your way of
thinking is why I do not do alterations.  Think about it: it takes time
to do the fitting for length; it takes time to unpick the old hem, trim
it down and re-finish the edge; then you need to turn it up to the new
level and stitch it, and it takes time to learn how to keep those
stitched string and invisible on the outside...  You may only see the
finished product - 30" of stitching and thread - but think how it got
there!  Go ahead and do a pair: time yourself.  How long did it take?
What would THAT time cost at you usual hourly rate?  Now, how many pairs
of trousers would you have to sew at $7 per pair to EARN you usual
hourly rate?

Happy sewing!
-- 
Kate  XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!