[arualis]

Yikes. I am about to finish this dress and I feel that something’s gone terribly wrong. My hem facing is not nearly long enough, by a good three inches. I know the two side pieces were cut correctly–not sure about the middle piece. Any ideas about what I can do?

[Nicole]

You really only have two options-recut the hem facing or put a join in it…..as far as I can see.

I pieced the hem facing in this dress http://www.flickr.com/photos/motherof5/5131389292/in/photostream/ and you really can’t tell when it is on.

[SewMentalMama]

Hello Nicole and arualis. When sewing this dress for the “Above All Fabric Sew A Long” http://www.aboveallfabric.com/blog/?page_id=5093, I remember the facing seemed much too short, but it’s because you will be sewing the short ends of the hem facing first, at the unfolded back edges/placket and then sewing along the longer hem edge after http://sarahbdesigns.net/images/SBM_SewAlong_41.JPG

When you turn the hem to the inside, the back edges/placket will be refolded to the inside, the facing will fit. But do check if your middle piece was cut correctly too.

This picture from the Sew a long Flickr group show the finished hem http://www.flickr.com/photos/77893210@N00/5862792212/in/pool-1658614@N24

I hope this makes sense, and that you get the dress finished.

[arualis]

SewMentalMama, Thanks for that picture. I think it will work out after all (although I’m going to have to rip out the seams I had resewn to add length and do everything correctly again. I think there is something confusing about the way that bit of the instructions is written as you aren’t precisely refolding the back placket quite yet….

[sarahb]

3 inches sounds about right. I had a moment of panic too, but it really does all work out!

Thanks SewMentalMama for the mention! 🙂

[sayiamyou]

Ditto SMM and Sarah. It does take you by surprise (I think Liesl even gives you a little warning in the patter?), but it should work! Don’t forget to post pictures!