How to Hem a Blazer

Use tight stitches to keep your hem in place.

If the hem of your blazer has come undone, you can take it to a seamstress or tailor for repair. Replacing a hem is a sewing task that you can also do at home. Sewing a hem into your blazer will take just a few minutes, and doing it yourself will also save you money. A sewing machine can make this task take less time, but a needle and thread also can be used to sew a hem into your blazer.

Things You'll Need

• Full-length mirror
• Straight pins
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Sewing machine or needle
• Thread
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Put your blazer on and stand in front of a full-length mirror.

2. Fold up the bottom edge of your blazer where you would like the hem to fall. Mark that fold by inserting a straight pin into the fabric, holding the fold in place.

3. Take off the blazer.

4. Fold up the hem on the entire bottom edge. Use a ruler and pencil to measure and mark so the fold is equal all the way around. Use your original fold as your guide. Use straight pins to hold the fold as you work your way around the blazer.

5. Set up your sewing machine and thread it. Make a bobbin, if necessary. If you do not have a sewing machine, thread your needle with the thread and tie a knot in the bottom.

6. Place your blazer under the needle of your sewing machine. Sew the hem, removing the pins as you go. Use a straight stitch. Alternately, poke your needle through the two layers of fabric to keep the hem in place. Use small, straight and tight stitches. Use a ruler if necessary to make your stitches evenly placed. Remove the pins as you go.

7. Tie a knot in the end of the thread. Your sewing machine likely has a feature that does this for you. Cut off the excess thread.

8. Heat your iron to the appropriate temperature for the fabric from which your blazer is made. Iron the hem to create a sharp and crisp fold.

Tips & Warnings

• Match the thread to your blazer. If you do not have the exact color, use a shade darker, which will be less noticeable than using a shade lighter.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your sewing machine. This will help prevent damage to your blazer, as well as injury.

• Do not pull the thread of your hem. This will cause the fabric at the bottom of your blazer to pucker and gather so it does not lay straight.

References

• "Sewing for Dummies"; Janice Saunders Maresh; 2010
• "How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew"; Erin Bried; 2009