https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:33:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270157 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:51:31 +0000 Beth 270157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thanks Kate and Gaylene! Such fab advice...I really appreciate it. This skirt is slightly flared, so I'm still worried about doing it myself, but I have enough length that I could definitely make a trial run with your knowledgeable tips.</p> <p>I'll report in after I muster up some courage and give it a go~ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270152 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:43:51 +0000 Gaylene 270152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do all my own alterations because I'm not a bad seamstress and I'm incredibly fussy when it comes to workmanship. I just recently shortened a calf-length suede skirt. Since suede doesn't need a traditional hem, all you need is a pair of sharp, dressmaker scissors (maybe borrowed from a friend who sews?), a piece of chalk or marking pencil (or wedge of soap, in a pinch), and a measuring tape. I'd check to see if the scissors were sharp enough to make a clean cut by snipping out a tiny piece from an inside seam. If the scissors grab at all, you'll have trouble making a clean cut, so you might have to resort to a craft knife to get a sharp, clean edge.</p> <p>1. Turn the skirt inside out. Working up from the current edge with the measuring tape, mark where you want the new hem. Use the chalk/pencil (or soap) to make barely visible marks every 1-2 inches. Keep the marks as small and light as possible; you want to be able to brush them off when you are finished. Join the marks with a very light line. You might find a straight edge useful to help make a nice line. </p> <p>2. Take your scissors (or knife) and cut along the line. Take your time and try to keep your line nice and clean. If you have good scissors, you should be able to cut easily through the fabric. Working with a craft knife takes a bit more skill since you want to avoid jagged edges. Brush or wipe off any residue from the marks and you're done.</p> <p>If the skirt has a lining, you'll have to turn up the lining and hem as you would any other garment. Fusible mending tape can work if you don't have a sewing machine, since you won't be washing the skirt.</p> <p>Kate's idea to try this out an inch or so below the eventual hem is a good one if you are unsure. In this case I'd make two sets of marks so that both marks are from the original hem. If you aren't happy with your efforts, your tailor will be able to use the second set of marks as a guide when he/she does exactly what you are doing.</p> <p>It took me 10 minutes to shorten my skirt, including hemming the lining. Since suede hems are unfinished, they are a snap to do and they don't require any special equipment. If you get a tailor to do this, that's all he or she will do, so I'd be very upset if I was charged more than $10. Now altering the shoulders on a leather jacket-- that's a whole different story! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270125 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:02:02 +0000 mamaKate 270125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As someone who alters about half my own clothes, my advice is twofold: </p> <p>1. Try cutting it yourself, with a super-sharp scissors intended only for fabric, BUT (in case it doesn't work), cut at least 1/2 inch below where you want the eventual hem to be, better 3/4 inch. And be advised that you don't just want to cut straight across - instead, make marks on the inside at an equal distance from the current edge, all around, and then cut from mark to mark.</p> <p>2. If it doesn't look good, then you can take it to the tailor for a proper hem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270113 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:35:16 +0000 Angie 270113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Taylor said </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270061 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:18:43 +0000 Beth 270061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, I just ran upstairs to take another look at it, and I think it's just a raw edge. In that case, it might end up being the easiest alteration ever, although I still won't take scissors to it myself:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-270046 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:58:45 +0000 Kristine 270046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the original hem was just cut, can you just cut it? You can have it altered but I think leather or suede would require a special machine or at least a special sewing needle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-269996 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:09:51 +0000 annagybe 269996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had some leather jackets altered earlier this year. I went to a leather specialist. Warning it was not cheap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-269929 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:14:44 +0000 taylor 269929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would definitely give it a shot!! A good tailor can transform you clothes into magical pieces:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-suede-skirt#post-269923 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:04:29 +0000 Beth 269923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a beautiful chocolate suede JCrew skirt from a few years ago that's slightly too long and I'd love to have it shortened. Any idea if this can be done? It's not actually hemmed now; rather it has what looks like a raw edge that's been finished just along where it was cut.</p> <p>Thoughts? </p>