How to Hem Burlap
After making something out of burlap, the material usually has rough edges, regardless of how cleanly you try to cut it. To ensure that the fabric looks neat and does not fray, fold the edges over and sew them together. Burlap is a material that was originally used for curtains, but has since found other uses. The material is durable, yet affordable. Burlap is woven out of jute, flax or hemp and is often used in combination with linoleum, which is material made of linseed oil, powdered cork, rosin and pigments.
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Instructions
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Determine how you will construct the hem. Some hems are reinforced with binding, but not all. Some have the edge flipped over and unfinished, which is called a raw edge. With a turned edge, the hem is folded over and the folded part is folded again. The hem edge is often hidden by a serged edge, created by a specialized machine called a thread serger, which sews the folded part opposite of the hemline, sealing it off. The hemline is the fold found at the edge of the clothing when the hem is finished. For example, on a finished pair of jeans, the hemline is the bottom-most edge of the jeans when the wearer is standing.
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After folding over the hem, iron the crease. Fold the hem over again and place hem tape between the two parts of fabric. The hem tape is activated by the iron. After activation, this tape holds the hem together and resists washing and dry cleaning.
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Perform a cross-stitch over the free edge of the fabric, sending the needle only through a single . This stitch is more capable of holding together durable fabrics – such as burlap.
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Tips & Warnings
Burlap has the ability to disintegrate, making the material eco-friendly.
Place the stitching on the side of the burlap that is not visible.
When the stitching is performed crisply, you may want the hem visible. If so, do the stitching on the outside part of the burlap.
If the burlap frays, try using hem tape, which is a transparent strip of nylon that holds seams together, making them more reliable.
Burlap is often difficult to sew because it frays and the stitching tends to come out.
Burlap is often itchy when worn as clothing.
References
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