How should I create a curved hem on a skirt...

[Beantown]

...with fabric that is printed along a border.  Since the straight edge of the fabric can't really be cut into a curve, how should I approach this?

[AbbyRose]

Okay, I'm no clothing making expert but I can't see how you could do this and maintain the straight edge of the bottom border unless you're making a pencil skirt. I don't think you want to since your diagram is curved...  Anywho... I drew a rough sketch of the possibilities I can think of off the top of my head.



A. Keep the main body of the fabric intact and cut out triangular strips, without cutting into the border. Sew together at your cut lines.

B. Cut out panels from the fabric and sew the pieces together in such a way that the border lines match up.

C. If you want to do a pencil skirt you can cut out rectangular shapes then cut out panels (for the hips) and place them between the front and back panels.

D. OR, you could cut a front, back and 2 side panels all with border and piece it together like that.

I'd love to see what you come up with!

Happy Sewing!

[sweetiepickles]

cut a straight rectangle, then gather the top to the measurement you need 

[Beantown]

That first suggestion makes sense.  I think I wasn't clear enough though-I want to make an A-line skirt.  In which case I think this is not going to be possible...

[atomic mary]

i sooo love/hate boarder prints! i have just made one like abby rose suggested in view b. it turned out pretty good. i'm pleased with it but it did take some patience in getting everything lined up. the other way would be like sweetpickles said and cut 1,2 or 3 rectangles (depending on where/how you put in the zipper) but instead of gathering the fabric you could do inverted pleats. i myself am not fond of gathered skirts. too much volume exactly  ::)where i don't need it!

[jennette]

beantown,  i had the same problem with some really pretty sari fabric that had a wide bottom border.  i wanted an a line skirt.  i played with patterns for days trying to come up with some way to keep that border.  i ended up turning it into a wrap skirt.  it was super easy to make, kept the a line shape that i wanted and left the border straight. 

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=14880  link to wrap tutorial on craftster.  i think i changed mine around some, but it should give you a good idea.  good luck!