How to Hem a Dress Shirt Without a Sewing Machine

Fix that dress shirt with an iron and some hemming tape.

The lack of a sewing machine is no longer an acceptable excuse for untailored clothing. Whether the hem has fallen out of your dress shirt or it's too long, no-sew hemming tape, also known as fusible tape, will solve your problem -- no needle or thread required. Hemming tape is an iron-on product containing a heat-activated adhesive that bonds the fabric. When purchasing hemming tape, look for one labeled “super strength” or “ultra-hold.” These tapes create a permanent hem. Follow all manufacture’s directions regarding washing and drying the garment after hemming.

Things You'll Need

• Pins
• Ironing board
• Iron
• Hemming tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Put on the dress shirt and fold up one side, until it is at the length you desire.

2. Pin the fabric in place with two or three pins, and take off the shirt.

3. Hang the shirt on a hanger or dress form, and continue pinning the hem all the way around the shirt -- keeping the same amount folded at the bottom.

4. Put on the shirt again to make sure you like the length and that it's even, before making the new hem permanent.

5. Lay the shirt on an ironing board, and iron the new hem in place. Remove a few pins at a time, pressing a crisp edge before moving on.

6. Turn the shirt inside out and lay it on the ironing board, with the flap of the hem facing upward.

7. Unwind approximately 2 feet of hemming tape from the roll.

8. Press the edge of the hemming tape into the crease of the hem, fold the fabric back over and iron in place. Work in 3 to 4 inch sections at a time, and avoid ironing any hemming tape not fitted against the crease of the hem.

9. Put the shirt back on. If you are satisfied with the new length, you can cut off the excess fabric from the hem.

Tips & Warnings

• If only a portion of your hem has fallen out, insert a piece of hemming tape the size of the unraveled hem and iron in place.

• Some hemming tape has protective backing on one or more sides. You must peel off this backing before ironing the tape to the fabric.

• If you iron the hemming tape crooked or wrinkled, you can pull it off -- as long as the shirt and tape are still hot. Cut off the damaged hemming tape, and start again with a fresh piece.

References

• Threadbanger: How to Tailor Your Own Shirt
• Start Sewing: The Best Way to Alter a Dress or Top So It Fits