When it comes to shortening a young girls’ school uniform, most mums are nervous.  A lot of schools have length standards on their school uniforms.  To determine the correct length, kneel with spine straight.  Pin the uniform so it is just resting on the floor.   However there are also a lot of schools that do not have standards and any thing goes.  In this case it seems the shorter the better.

If the uniform is going to be short, then make sure you check the length at the back of the skirt as well as the front.  Most girls will fold the hem up to the length they want (very short), at the front.  The problem is that their bottoms may be showing.

Once the length is determined, measure from the floor up to the new finished length.  Move around to the back and measure up from the floor to the new finished length and fold the fabric up to this length and pin it in place.  Then follow the same procedure at each side seam.  Now stand in front of a full length mirror and have a look at the back as well as the front.

Usually I find the front has to be lowered a little so that the bottom is covered.

The other problem with going too short is the fact that it is difficult to put a 3” or 7.5 cm hem allowance for growth.

With the longer length uniform, you can easily put a larger hem allowance for growth.  Once you have cut off the excess, over lock the edge or sew ribbon over the cut edge of the hem allowance, and turn the garment inside out.

Place it over the ironing board (inside out) and fold up the hem allowance and iron into place, pinning as you go.  Always line up the seams, and iron a tuck in the hem between seams.  Pin the hem.  Hand stitch, machine stitch or put a blind hem on the uniform to finish

Happy sewing

Judith aka genie