Where, Oh Where, Should My Hem Level Be?

It is a brand new morning and a brand new week.  So far, it's been a great one for me.  Hope the same is true for you!

The anonymous lady who said all my blouses are too short got me wondering.  If she is right, I could sure save a lot of time shortening my tops either in the paper pattern or in RTW.

I bought three tops on sale after Christmas at Dillard's, and they have been hanging up here in my sewing room ever since waiting to be shortened.  Actually, I had almost forgotten about them even though they were hanging right here where everyone could see them.  I decided to take long/short pictures -- put them together side-by-side -- and see WHY I always shorten my tops. 

Here is Top #1 -- The Green Top:

The FIRST thing you notice here -- in the long version on the right -- is the hem goes straight downhill to the right -- just like I do. 

In the picture on the left, I have just folded the bottom of the top up for the picture.  When I hem it, it will be crooked like I am and, therefore, appear to be straight.

This is what I see: 

The long top cuts right across my butt. 

The long top makes my waist appear to be up under my armpits. 

The long top makes my legs look short and wide.

The long top covers all my pocket openings.

The short top makes my waist look much lower.

The short top is straight across my back (or will be).

The short top doesn't cut my legs off.

The short top is above my pockets, and in some cases, that is the prettiest part of the jeans.

Here is the long/short front of the top. 

To me, it makes my waist appear to be much lower.

To me, it looks "younger".

And, of course, the same issues as the back.

BTW, I LOVE this color of green.  Hope I can find some fabric this color.

 

Here is Top #2 -- The Striped Top:

Both of these tops are several layers of knit sewn on top of each other. 

You can really see it here. 

I think -- and Jerry agreed -- that because of the print in this one, it looks okay the length that it is.  I will just take about an inch or two off this one.

The short version on the left looks funny because of the print, and I probably have it folded up too far.

On the right, the hem looks crooked because it is straight; so I will make it crooked, and then it will appear to be straight.

I might wear the striped top with my new red pants. 

The pockets don't show in those pants, and they aren't as bulky as jeans. 

And I am NOT wearing skinny jeans or leggings -- EVER!

The long version still chops my legs off.  If I would wear 5" heels, that may not be an issue.

I am NOT wearing 5" - or 4" - or 3" heels -- EVER!

Here is the front of the striped top.

And just as you thought this was going to be over, it isn't!

I have another blouse to show you.  I had three, remember.

Here is Top #3 -- The Stars Top:

This blouse is an empire waist, so the waist is SUPPOSED to be high. 

I think it looks okay the way it is, but still prefer it a little shorter.  I may just bend over to the right a little when I walk to straighten up this hem.  WHO is going to care, but me.  Only people who sew for fit notice whether or not other people's clothes fit them or not. 

I think if I wear this with yoga pants, it will look fine.  Yoga pants aren't all chopped up with pockets, so you have more leg.

Jerry walked in as I was photographing this, and I forgot to take a picture of the backs.  Oh, well.  I'm sure, at this point, nobody is going to lose sleep over it.

Note:  The pictures don't always stay where I put them, so try to figure out what pic goes with what words if they don't seem to align. 

It is Monday.  I have a bank statement to do.  Gotta get!

Let me know what you think.  Is the anonymous lady right?

Hugs, Joy