How to Hem a Garment
Being able to do a simple hem on your own clothing can save you a lot of trips to the tailor when you need an item of clothing shortened or a hem happens to come undone. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Put the garment on and determine how much you would like to shorten the hem, making a mark at the point that you would like the garment to fall with your tailor's chalk.
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2
Have someone measure the mark that you made up from the floor. This is the best way to get the most even hem. If you don't have someone else who can measure and mark your garment from the floor, then you can remove the garment and simply measure and mark from the existing hem to where you would like the new hem.
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3
Measure 3 inches from where you would like the new hem to be for fabrics that are likely to come unraveled, and 1 1/2 inches from where you would like the hem to be for fabrics that won't unravel. If you aren't shortening the garment enough to be able to make the mark without ripping out the current hem, then use a seam ripper to remove the current hem. Proceed to make your markings.
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4
Make this mark all the way around the garment where the new hem will need to be sewn.
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5
Cut any excess fabric before folding your hem if you are working with a fabric that is likely to unravel and therefore had to make your marks 3 inches below your desired length.
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6
Make a fold 1 1/2 inches from the new bottom of your garment--folding the fabric under--that you marked off in Step 2 if you are working with a fabric that won't unravel. Use your ruler to make sure this fold stays consistent all the way around your garment, pinning as you go. If you are working with a fabric that will unravel, then skip to Step 8.
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7
Press this fold with your iron to help hold it while you sew your hem.
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8
Fold the bottom 1 1/2 inches of your garment under so that it is wrong side to wrong side. Use your ruler to keep the fold consistent, pinning as you go. Press this fold, removing the pins as you do. Then make another 1 1/2-inch fold under, and pin this fold as you go. Press this fold as well.
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9
Sew 1 inch from the edge of the fold that you just made all the way around the hem, anchoring the start and end of your hem by going forward, then backward, and then forward on your machine. Trim your seam allowance if you were working with a fabric that won't unravel.
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