I have this blouse that I like so well, but I wish that it is longer, so I decided to add a lace trimming at the hem. See photo below.
I found a lace fabric at Walmart and decided to use the scallop selvedge as the new hem.
Like this. See photo below.
Step 1: Measure the width of the hem. Divide this measurement in half this should give the the length (yardage) of fabric. Note: There will be lots of extra fabric since only portion from selvedge is to be used. Remember that the fabric comes folded. If the blouse is stretchy, add 3 to 4 inches to the yardage to allow for the stretch.
Step 2: The lace fabric being folded, match the scallop at each eadge together evenly using a straight pin to hold the fabric together, placing the pins all through the selvedge.
Step 3: Decide the length you want to add to the hem. Measure from the widest part of the scallop and mark the length with a straight pin, repeat this through out the selvedge.
Step 4: Cut 1/2 inch away from marked area straight accross the selvedge.
Step 5: Sew the side seam of the lace fabric, right side together, using matching thread.
Step 6: turn the blouse hem wrong side up; lay the raw edge of the lace, wrong side up also over the hem and pin. Keep pinning blouse hem and lace together at about 3 inch interval all around.
Step 7: Leave 1 inch unsewn from end of the lace; use zigzag stitch to sew the lace onto the turned hem of the blouse.
Step 8: Leave 1 inch unsewn at the other end of the lace also. Put machine needle and presser foot up and remove work from sewing machine. Pin each unsewn end onto the blouse hem. Mark the area where the two lace ends met with a pin, this is the start of the side seam of the lace. Remove the previous pins after marking the side seam. Align and pin together the two unsewn ends of the lace starting at the marked place, down to the scallop hem. See step 5. Cut away excess fabric leaving 1/4 seam allowance.
Step 9: Lay the lace over the blouse hem and continue to sew the unfinished gap overlapping half an inch on previous stitch and ending in a half inch overlap also.
Tada!
Enjoy the refashioned Blouse!
Eve's Handiwork 