Taking elastic out of jersey hem

[kelownagirl]

Anyone done this successfully? I started to pick the stitches out of one of my jerseys and it seems more complicated than I first thought. There is a double row of stitching that goes right over the elastic. I'm not sure what the hem will look like after I've taken it out. help?

[SadieKate]

I do it all the time. It just takes patience unless you can find that magic thread that will let it zip across. Use a fine ripper, good light and soothing music.

I then take my jerseys to a professional to be re-hemmed. I don't sew on lycra, no how, no way -- especially at the cost of jerseys.

[kelownagirl]

I do it all the time. It just takes patience unless you can find that magic thread that will let it zip across. Use a fine ripper, good light and soothing music.

I then take my jerseys to a professional to be re-hemmed. I don't sew on lycra, no how, no way -- especially at the cost of jerseys.

Well that's the clincher then. I suck at sewing. I need to take them to a pro? I wonder if my mommy can do it? She has a fancy machine....


Soothing music - good idea. I am impatient as all get out....

[silver]

I do it all the time too. You do med good light and a good ripper and some patience. there is a magic thread that if you find it, the seam will simply pull off.

so first you rip out the double stitched seam and then you have to take out the seam that attaches the elastic and then sew it back. I simply sew two rows of stitched to mimic the original look.

I'll do it for you if you send them to me.

[Zen]

I'll do it for you if you send them to me.

I have one that needs hemming

I bought the jersey last summer and yes it took FOREVER for me to un-stitch it. Then I just kind of tacked it up by hand.

The first time I wore it someone told me "you have a needle in your jersey"
I was so happy to be finished I was thinking about wearing it, not about pesky knots and tying off and such bothersome nonsense.

[bmccasland]

When looking for the *magic* thread, don't forget to try both directions.

If you take it to someone to be hemmed, it does help to do the deconstruction youself (as in you're paying for their time). I've pulled the elastic out of my jerseys and rehemmed them. Part of the problem is that regular sewing machines don't do the stretchy interlock stitch that sergers can do. I just use a plain zigzag with my machine. The easiest job I did for a gal was when she wanted the jersey shortened too - we just cut the hem and elastic off!

[kelownagirl]

I wonder why they put the elastic there in the first place? Looks like a lot of people take it out. Doesn't everyone find it rides up? Maybe we need to write to the manufacturers...

[silver]

I was serious, Kelowna and Zen, I'll do them if you send them to me.

[jobob]

I've done it, so have a few others.

Some hints here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15683

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=15140

[kelownagirl]

I was serious, Kelowna and Zen, I'll do them if you send them to me.

If you lived closer, I'd take you up on it!

I think it'll be cheaper to find a seamstress here though. Thanks Silver!

[tongue_tied]

I wanted to bump this thread and ressurect it... people that have done this before still on the forum? Can you just remove the elastic and take it to an alterer to sew the hem back?

[SadieKate]

Yes. That's why I do. I get the best results when I find a pro who has the machine for the stretchy interlock stitch.

See what bmccasland said above.

[tongue_tied]

Do you actually have to specific to the alterer that you need the serger stitch - the stretchy, interlock stitch?

[bmccasland]

Do you actually have to specific to the alterer that you need the serger stitch - the stretchy, interlock stitch?

Yes. Otherwise the stitches won't stretch and the threads will break. OR, if you stretch out the fabric while stitching, then it doesn't lay flat - it's all rumply. But you definitely need a stitch that will stretch, and regular zigzag doesn't do it enough. And picking that out is no fun at all.

Most alterations shops have both regular sewing machines (traditional) and serger machines, so it shouldn't be a problem to find a shop that can do this for you.

[tongue_tied]

Thanks for the advice. I hate the elastic on my Twin Six jerseys, but it generally doesn't bother me on the others.