DIY: Add Pom Poms

Have something too short? Just add pom poms! I’ve had this really cute Guatemalan fabric skirt since last summer. It has almost been perfect except for the length. While I usually don’t mind wearing a short hem, for some reason this skirt has always made me self-conscious. I haven’t been willing nor ready to give it away, but I knew I needed to do something so that I’d wear it. How can you make an article of clothing longer? Pom poms! I’ve had such fun visiting all sorts of local Joann Stores. Everyone there is always so helpful. I simply went to the trimming section of the store, and easily found all sorts of different trims I could add to lengthen my hem. In the end I went with pom poms.

1. Gather the Supplies:

This DIY can be applied to any garment where you’d like to extend the hem–but not with the item’s own fabric. I chose my Guatemalan mini. In addition, I went to Joann’s and found some pom pom trim. This DIY also requires a needle and thread–I went with a navy to match the main color of the skirt. Scissor and pins are a nice addition but not absolutely necessary.

2. Attach the Pom Poms–or whatever trim being used.

First, I turned the skirt inside out. I knew I’d be attaching the trim to the underside of the skirt by hand stitching it. In order to hand sew with some sort of guidance, I lightly pinned down the trim to the skirt. This step isn’t absolutely necessary but it did help in providing me direction with the trim attached to the hem.

3. Begin hand stitching the trim onto the hem.

You gotta start somewhere! I started my sewing at the side seam. Luckily the trim I chose had a line I could follow along to keep my stitch line straight. Also, there were these little elastic holes that allowed me to keep a similar distant between my stitches. Even if I wasn’t perfect with my stitches, the texture and colors of this fabric is very forgiving. Furthermore, I didn’t stitch all the way through, but rather I only stitched into the underside hem.

4. I used two lines of thread.

While I used only one piece of long trim that would suffice for the whole circumference of the skirt, I used two separate lines of thread. I started at one seam and stitched to the other and tied the tread off. Then I started again at that seam with a new piece of thread until the other side seam. Once the line of trim connected, I trimmed the excess and stitched those two ends down.

Before:

And After:

Do you have any items of clothing that you feel are too short? Do you need help figuring out how to make them longer? Ask me. I’d be happy to give it a think.

*Not Lamb has started a link up! Yay!! #IwillwearwhatIlike!!