I just had to do some hemming for my choir uniform. It is a floor-length, unflattering black dress that comes consistently 6 inches too long despite extensive measuring sessions. Luckily, I was able to get a friend to hem it before, so I didn't have to worry about it until now. She didn't have a sewing machine, but did a great job for short term use.
Unfortunately, that term is over and now I have to mend the hemming. I have decided that I might as well write a tutorial while I am doing this, because it is a useful skill to have. My philosophy on sewing: everyone should learn how. I don't care who you are or what gender you are, but at some point you will wish you knew how to sew, even if it is only to sew on a button! So, men and women alike, it is time to learn how to hem!
Unfortunately, that term is over and now I have to mend the hemming. I have decided that I might as well write a tutorial while I am doing this, because it is a useful skill to have. My philosophy on sewing: everyone should learn how. I don't care who you are or what gender you are, but at some point you will wish you knew how to sew, even if it is only to sew on a button! So, men and women alike, it is time to learn how to hem!
1. Measure
Put on the clothing that you wish to hem (on whoever it is for) and measure the length that you want it to be. Mine is a dress that needs to go to the floor but not touch it, so I had to wear the shoes that I would wear with it in order to measure it properly. If that is necessary for you, make sure you do it! I measured from my waistline (where the dress had a seam) to the length that I wanted it to be. Make sure to write down the measurement! If you don't have a tape measurer, take a length of yarn or string and cut it to the length you want.
Put on the clothing that you wish to hem (on whoever it is for) and measure the length that you want it to be. Mine is a dress that needs to go to the floor but not touch it, so I had to wear the shoes that I would wear with it in order to measure it properly. If that is necessary for you, make sure you do it! I measured from my waistline (where the dress had a seam) to the length that I wanted it to be. Make sure to write down the measurement! If you don't have a tape measurer, take a length of yarn or string and cut it to the length you want.
2. Cut (Optional)
If the article of clothing is significantly longer than you want it to be, cut it to about an inch and a half longer than the actual length you want. If it is already that length (mine was), ignore this step.
If the article of clothing is significantly longer than you want it to be, cut it to about an inch and a half longer than the actual length you want. If it is already that length (mine was), ignore this step.
3. Fold
Fold the material towards the inside of the clothing (the way that people wouldn't see) along the invisible line that is the length you want your clothing to be. If you want, you can pin it and continue it around the entire hem, or you can just skip to the next step. If you choose to pin it around right now, make sure that you are even. Then try it on to make sure that it is the right length. Then continue on to the next step.
Fold the material towards the inside of the clothing (the way that people wouldn't see) along the invisible line that is the length you want your clothing to be. If you want, you can pin it and continue it around the entire hem, or you can just skip to the next step. If you choose to pin it around right now, make sure that you are even. Then try it on to make sure that it is the right length. Then continue on to the next step.
4. Roll
Take the rough edge (end of fabric) and roll it up under towards the fold. The roll or hem area should be about 2 centimeters in width.
Take the rough edge (end of fabric) and roll it up under towards the fold. The roll or hem area should be about 2 centimeters in width.
5. Pin It!
Pin down the roll and continue this around the entire area to be hemmed.
Pin down the roll and continue this around the entire area to be hemmed.
It should look something like the picture above when you are done pinning.
6. Check Length
Once you are done pinning, try it on again and make sure that everything is the correct length and even. Re-measure if you have to.
Once you are done pinning, try it on again and make sure that everything is the correct length and even. Re-measure if you have to.
7. Prepare to Sew!
Time to break out that old sewing machine! Take out one of the pins and line up the edge to the 5/8 line.
Time to break out that old sewing machine! Take out one of the pins and line up the edge to the 5/8 line.
8. Sew back and forth
Sew backwards and forwards quickly over itself to create a sort of knot. This keeps the sewing from unwinding.
Sew backwards and forwards quickly over itself to create a sort of knot. This keeps the sewing from unwinding.
9. Sew!
Sew around the whole length of the seam, taking out each pin as you go! At the end, do the backwards and forwards sewing again.
Sew around the whole length of the seam, taking out each pin as you go! At the end, do the backwards and forwards sewing again.
10. Cut the string
After you are done sewing, lift the needle and its support and pull your work away from the machine. Cut the strings that are hanging off your work.
After you are done sewing, lift the needle and its support and pull your work away from the machine. Cut the strings that are hanging off your work.
11. You're done!
My dress had another layer underneath that also needed hemming. If you have this too, cut that one a little shorter than the outer layer and hem it using the above directions.
I hope that this helped! If there is something on here that you don't agree with for whatever reason, tell me and I will try to edit it!
My dress had another layer underneath that also needed hemming. If you have this too, cut that one a little shorter than the outer layer and hem it using the above directions.
I hope that this helped! If there is something on here that you don't agree with for whatever reason, tell me and I will try to edit it!