How to Let Out a Hem

Lengthening hems is one of the simplest things to do when it comes to sewing. So if you need to make a skirt or a pair of pants a pit longer, don’t worry it’s as easy as one, two and three. Read on to learn how to let out a hem.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A seam ripper
• A needle
• Thread to match the garment
• Measuring tape
• Stick pens

1. Take the seam ripper and remove the garment’s hem. Find one stitch that appears to be coming loose and start with it. Slip the sharp point of the seam ripper under the thread and let the razor sharp edge cut it. The surrounding threads should loosen. Continue cutting the threads around the hem.

2. After all of the threads have been cut, remove stray threads from the fabric by gently pulling them out with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.

3. Decide how wide you want your new hem to be and measure 1/2 of that amount from the bottom of the skirt and fold up, then fold that same amount again, concealing the raw edge of the fabric inside the fold. Use a stick pen to secure. Do this all the way around the garment, measuring every inch or so.

4. Stitch the hem of the garment securely using a sewing machine or by hand. If stitching by hand, small stitches will give you a more secure hem.

Tips & Warnings

• When measuring to determine the amount of hem to put back in the garment, be sure to measure while wearing shoes with the same heel as the ones you'll be wearing with the garment.
• It’s easiest to stand the garment’s owner on a chair and make the first fold and measurement while they are wearing the garment. If you do this be sure to stick multiple pins in to hold the fabric in place so they don’t knock all of them out when taking the garment off.
• For a no sew option fold the garment up the entire width of the hem and attach with stitch witchery, following the package directions for iron temperature settings. Stitch witchery does not work well for heavy fabrics such as denim.