Jerseys - men vs wmsn?...how do you keep them down?

[Irulan]

Originally posted by SadieKate


If you just have to have a jersey with an elastic hem, have the elastic removed by shortening and re-hemming the jersey (by a professional or someone with professional skills and equipment -- which is not moi). I have found that a lot of jerseys with elastic are too long anyway (part of the whole problem) so shorter is better. Men's jerseys can end up looking very chic and tailored by doing this. Removing elastic without shortening will pretty much ruin the jersey due to the way it is sewn in. I have paid between $10-$15 for hemming which seems expensive, but is worth the professional result. I just factor it into the cost of the jersey -- therefore it better be on sale and a really, really cool jersey.

As a sewing professional I will add my 2¢. First, if you are somewhat handy with a sewing machine, you can do this yourself. Just cut the jersey off to the length you want +1/2" and add some 1/2" elastic with a zig zag or a serger and topstitch. This assuming that you want the jersey quite a bit shorter. If you choose to remove the elastic and then shorten it, that is a lot more work as you have to pick out the topstitching and all the serging that holds the elastic to the jersey.

If you only paid $15 to get a jersey hemmed, you got a bargain.
They know the materials, and the techniques, plus they have special machines, and supplies. And skills and training. You yourself said "professional results". Consider a good seamstress or alterationist to be a trained professional that deserves to earn a decent wage, and not a minimum wage worker. After all, if you knew how to do it, you wouldn't have to pay someone else, right?

Irulan