How to Hem Cotton Knit Material
Often a cotton knit skirt or slacks need hemming due to an accidental catch that rips the seam or simply because the garment needs shortening. Cotton knit is a stretchy fabric that is fairly easy to utilize. Small, evenly spaced overcast stitching by hand works best.
Things You'll Need
- "Sharp" needle
- Coordinated thread
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Wire needle threader
- Ruler
Instructions
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1
Pin with straight pins along the bottom where the hem of a garment should appear. This can be done when the person for whom the garment is being hemmed is wearing it so the proper length can be determined and pinned.
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2
Turn the garment inside out to work with the wrong side of the fabric on the hem. Measure with a ruler to determine how much of the fabric to fold inward.
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3
Remove the straight pins on the front side of the fabric one by one about 1-inch apart. Repin on the wrong side to mark the new hem while tucking in about 1/2 inch of fabric inside the hem. See illustration showing pinned hem above.
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4
Cut a length of thread about 24-inches long with scissors. Use the wire needle threader to slip the thread through the eye of the Sharp needle. Pull one strand of the thread through, hold the two ends together and make a knot at the end.
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5
Make tiny stitches along the pinned hem about 1/2 inch apart, slipping the needle through one strand of cotton knit on the hem and one on the opposite side, securing the new hem.
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6
Pull the needle and thread fairly tight and continue stitching the hem until completed. Don't make the stitches too tight or the fabric will buckle. Secure a knot and cut any excess thread with scissors. Rethread the needle if more sewing thread is needed.
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Tips & Warnings
It may be necessary to cut off an existing hem with scissors, provided it leaves fabric at least 1 1/2 inches that can be folded and hemmed to achieve the proper length on that garment.
- Photo Credit Image by Natasha Lawrence
