Kathi -- you could, most likely do so. Keep in mind that your pockets on the back will get shorter too. I'd suggest leaving enough fabric so that you can turn it up, say 3/4" and then another 3/4" -- the double fold will give you a little more weight on the bottom, since you're taking out the elastic, and that's part of what the elastic does down there...

Owlie -- you might consider using 1/4" elastic in the back of the jersey, a bit above the pockets. Look at some of them in stores, if you don't have any that have elastic in them there -- it just sort of reins in the excess fabric. You could simply zig zag that in back there...

Karen in Boise