Sewing/Fabric knowledgable people. Help please

[lurker172602]

I have a skirt made from cotton/elastin fabric (I think, it hasn't got a label but it's a poplin sort of weight and a bit stretchy). The hem has gone all "frilly". It looked as if the sewing thread had shrunk and gathered the fabric. I have tried unpicking it, pressing the fabric and sewing it back up but it still looks the same.

What can I do to fix it, or is it irreparable?

[lal-au0]

have you tried to unpick it, then iron the thing, then when it looks alright sew it on again?

[lurker172602]

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@lal-au0 wrote:

have you tried to unpick it, then iron the thing, then when it looks alright sew it on again?

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From the OP

 I have tried unpicking it, pressing the fabric and sewing it back up but it still looks the same.

From post #9

 I just unpicked the hem, pressed it and sewed it back on the same stitching line.

From post #22

 That's what I first thought az, but it's still the same after I unpicked it and sewed it again.

So,  yeah I have tried what you suggest. 

[tcmsecretuseid]

Take out the stitching. 

Spray with a water and vinegar solution. Then press the fabric. If the fabric is smooth before you stitch it again, then the machine tension, and the stitching are too tight, or too loose. I'd have to test stitch the fabric to tell which method to use. Super loose stitches are used to gather fabric, and your fabric is gathered. 

If the fabric does not iron out smoothly after using the vinegar solution(and pressing), stitching won't "fix" the uneven fabric. 😞

You could use stitch witchery, or double faced fusible lining to hem the skirt.  That will only fix the problem if you can get the fabric smoothed out first. 

[lal-au0]

the word "press" went over my head.

maybe give it to an op shop and one in a more interesting colour.

[lurker172602]

Thanks for the fashion advice, but as I very rarely wear it with a plain top, maybe not. Believe me, I have plenty of bright and/or patterned clothes. Besides which, white is sometimes a good cool colour to wear on the golf course on a hot day.

But thanks for your input anyway 

[imastawka]

C'mon lurker...........chop it off.          Do a new hem.

Be brave.................................Show some leg              

[lal-au0]

you could stick (sew on) a ribbon on top of that seam. like this one 141364300679 for example.

[imastawka]

Nice braid lal.

LOL at seller.      Item is 1 yard but 25mm wide.  Older seller maybe?

[lal-au0]

i don't know. didn't look at the seller. just thought that the colour matches the skirt. it was meant to be an example only.

[gleee58]

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@lal-au0 wrote:

i don't know. didn't look at the seller. just thought that the colour matches the skirt. it was meant to be an example only.

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If you really like the garment that is a good idea.