Sewing a Hem Seam

You can hem that long dress yourself to make it just the right length for your body.

There's no need to take a garment to a tailor to get it shortened. If you have basic sewing skills you can hem the garment yourself in just minutes with a basic hem seam. This can save you money and time. You don't even need a sewing machine. All you need is some basic sewing equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Needle
• Thread that matches garment
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Try the garment on. Measure how many inches need to be taken off to make it the desired length. For example, if the garment ends at your ankle and you want it to end at the bottom of your calf, measure the distance between your ankle and your calf.

2. Turn the garment inside out.

3. Fold the edge of the garment the amount of inches you noted in step one. For example, if the measurement was three inches, fold the edge of the garment over by three inches.

4. Thread the needle and knot the end of the thread.

5. Poke your needle through the edge of the fabric and the garment on which the fold lays.

6. Pull the thread through until the knot catches on the fabric.

7. Poke your needle back through the garment and the edge of the fabric one centimeter away from your last stitch and pull the thread through.

8. Insert the needle back through the edge of the fabric and the garment one centimeter away from your last stitch and pull the thread through. Your stitches should be creating a straight line. Continue making these stitches until you go all the way around the garment and your last stitch is one centimeter from your first stitch.

9. Knot your thread.

10. Cut the excess thread dangling from the garment.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need someone to help you measure the garment if you are the one trying it on.

• Do not cut the fabric. Cutting will cause the fabric to unravel or fray.

References

• "The Complete Guide to Sewing"; Virginia Colton; 1978

Resources

• The Budget Fashionista: Tailoring Tips