How to Hem Dress or Slacks for a Smoother Appearance

Learning to hem dresses or slacks without a thick, ridged appearance on the finished side of the garment

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• medium sized sewing needle
• thread a shade darker than fabric
• sewing machine
• scissors
• measuring tape
• sewing pins
• iron and ironing board

1. Press seams open and mark appropriate length of garment with pins.

2. Turn up the hem, using measure to make sure it is turned up the same length all the way around.

3. Allow for a 2 inch hem and cut off remaining fabric.

4. Use the sewing machine to make a zig-zag stitch on the raw edge of the hem, sewing over opened seams.

5. Thread needle and turn up fabric for a 2 inch hem and pin. Start at the seam. Instead of sewing the hem tightly to the underside of the garment, pull the edge of the zig-zagged hem back and catch the back side of the hem with a stitch. Next, insert the needle into the underside of the garment with a smaller stitch so that it can barely be seen from the right side. By pulling the hem back to attach the thread, you will avoid a ridge, and the hem will not be as noticeable from the front of the garment.

6. Continue with hemming until finished and stem press on the wrong side.