PeterPan Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 I got these Anne Klein polyester/elastane blend wide leg, really drapey dress pants to wear to my brother's wedding, and I seriously need to hem them. So I put on my heels, have dh pin at 1/2" off the floor, and then go to look and realize they're a CUT edge instead of turned up or rolled or blind or anything! :crying: So now I'm scared, because there's no going back. If I cut these, will they fray? It's really thick, sturdy material. The side seams are sewn and finished to make sure they don't come undone, so I would reinforce the side seams at the new end point. So for the actual hem, do I literally just cut? Has anybody done this before? I thought I might make a try at a lower length, just to see what happens... Feeling nervous here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Were they sold as unhemmed? If not, I would think you could just cut and it would be fine. In fact hemming them might make them drape differently. Maybe tack them up with tape and walk in them a bit before you decide. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cecropia Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 If they're cut now, you should be able to tell if the cut edge will fray. I would cut about an inch below your hem line, finish the bottom edge with an overlock or zigzag and hand sew a single fold hem. In general, I would be hesitant to wear a garment with a raw cut hem to a formal event (but that's just me). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 I would cut about an inch below your hem line, finish the bottom edge with an overlock or zigzag and hand sew a single fold hem. In general, I would be hesitant to wear a garment with a raw cut hem to a formal event (but that's just me). This is what I do all the time. I'm short and often have to shorten pants by cutting length off. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 I think it's because of the type of fabric they were, that it's sort of drapey and doesn't fray or roll. I agree, hemming pants where they weren't designed to be hemmed would make a problem. I went ahead and cut them. Since they just have to be for this one event, guess I'm just hoping I don't leave little threads all over, hehe. But they looked fine. I kind of blew them, and they looked fine. I'm just not messing a lot with the edge, lest I find out they're not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 I think it's because of the type of fabric they were, that it's sort of drapey and doesn't fray or roll. I agree, hemming pants where they weren't designed to be hemmed would make a problem. I went ahead and cut them. Since they just have to be for this one event, guess I'm just hoping I don't leave little threads all over, hehe. But they looked fine. I kind of blew them, and they looked fine. I'm just not messing a lot with the edge, lest I find out they're not. If you are not going to hem them, you might want to secure the edges of the side seams with a couple of stitches so the seam doesn't unravel and separate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 What about iron on hemming tape if you aren't comfortable doing your own alterations? https://www.amazon.com/IRON-ON-HEMMING-TAPE/dp/B005O9WU9Q The tape would create a more finished looking bottom edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I've done it for dance and color guard uniforms. I just cut it and it doesn't fray, but I do use my machine to reinforce the side seams. I use my rotary cutter to make the straight cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 OP, were the hems left unhemmed by the manufacturer because they assumed the buyer would have them hemmed to fit? Or were they sold as a finished garment intended to be worn unhemmed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 If the fabric is a dark color, you could run a thin bead of Fray Check along the cut edge to keep it from fraying. Test in an inconspicuous spot first though. It's clear, but on some fabrics, it dries slightly darker than fabric. Also, it does stiffen the fabric, so you may want to run the bead right next to the edge, but not at the edge, to keep the roughness from tickling your foot. Never heard of Fray Check? You can get it at JoAnn's: http://www.joann.com/prym-dritz-fray-check-sealant/1052851.html#q=fray%2Bcheck&start=3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 If the fabric is a dark color, you could run a thin bead of Fray Check along the cut edge to keep it from fraying. Test in an inconspicuous spot first though. It's clear, but on some fabrics, it dries slightly darker than fabric. Also, it does stiffen the fabric, so you may want to run the bead right next to the edge, but not at the edge, to keep the roughness from tickling your foot. Never heard of Fray Check? You can get it at JoAnn's: http://www.joann.com/prym-dritz-fray-check-sealant/1052851.html#q=fray%2Bcheck&start=3 I've had it dry white on dark polyester fabric. 😠1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Jersey/knit fabric doesn't fray, but it does roll. If you're worried you could sew right next to the cut edge or use fray stop spray on them. You should be able to find that at any fabric store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I've had it dry white on dark polyester fabric. 😠Oh no! I haven't seen that. Definitely test it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I've had it dry white on dark polyester fabric. 😠I had this happen to me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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