I love sewing with lightweight fabric like rayon, tencel, or silk, but I usually make something that’s really drapey. Whenever I sew something drapey and lightweight I worry about wind flipping up the hem especially when it comes to skirts and voluminous blouses. I remember hearing a trick to keep the hem down from my boss when I worked at a tailor shop, and it all has to do with having pennies (or small coins from your country’s currency) in your sewing room.
SUPPLIES
Sewing supplies
Two small coins or pennies
Fabric scraps
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut two scraps of fabric that is the same width of your coin but twice as tall with a little bit of seam allowance.
2. Finish the edges of the short ends.
3. Fold the scrap in half longwise with right sides together. Sew each side with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
4. Turn the pocket right sides out and poke out the corners.
5. Insert the penny and baste the opening closed.
6. Sew the pocket into the side seam allowance of your skirt or blouse near the hem but not close enough to hang out from the bottom of the hem. I like to sew mine in 1/2″ from the hem.
Linda says
Nice tip!
Sew Alethia says
Great idea!
Rebecca Plymale says
What a great idea!!! I have gorgeous Rayon circle skirt dress I made that I need to do this to. The first time I wore it I had a Marilyn Monroe moment
Diane Beavers says
Clever! Thank you for sharing that.
bodhikt says
I used washers for this– the hole made it possible to sew in place, without making a baggie for each one.
Heather Feather says
That's a great idea! I just don't want to worry about always buying them!
JT says
Can you still machine wash the garment with the pennies in it?
Heather Feather says
I just washed and dried this garment today and had no problems!
Kristie says
Its the simple things that are so smart! How clever, and it works perfectly I bet. Thanks for sharing a sweet little trick.