How can i shorten my school uniform skirt without a sewing machine?
The basic stitch is called “hemstitch” and is more intermediate than basic. The first URL is from USA’s University of Kentucky and has full directions for doing hems by hand and by machine. If you’re totally certain you won’t need or want to have the skirt longer again, the two choices are to either shorten the hem or lower the waistband. Even with moving the zipper down, if there is one, removing and replacing the waistband is a *lot* less stitching (just running stitch to baste into position and back-stitch to secure fully) and not as eye-critical and re-doing the hem itself. If the skirt is wool, the pleats may be permanently fulled by repeated cleaning and it may be difficult to have a new hem that looks crisp rather than crude. The so-called iron-on hem tape is sometimes a steam-on tape. Get the directions and read them. If the skirt is wool, it shouldn’t be “ironed”, but should only be steam-pressed. Ironing can make wool look overly glossy.
