How to Fold the Material for a Blind Hem Stitch
One of the basic sewing skills is the procedure for folding material (fabric) for a blind hem stitch. You are lucky if clothes purchased off the rack fit you, in length, perfectly. However, most of us are a bit shorter or taller than regular garment sizes. Learning how to fold and hem your own garments is a simple skill that will be very useful. For the purposes of this article we will be folding a dress hem for a blind hem stitch.
Things You'll Need
- Garment
- Ruler (measuring tape)
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Iron
- Sewing machine or needle
Instructions
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1
Start by ripping out the thread of the dress hem and iron the bottom edge flat. Mark, on the bottom of the dress, where you would like the end of the hem to be located. Add 1¼ inches and cut off the excess fabric.
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2
Turn your dress inside out. Use your ruler to measure ¼ inch all the way around. Do this by starting at each side seam. Turn the hem material up ¼ inch and pin it with straight pins. Follow the same process for the center of the front and back center of the dress. Turn up once, between every set of pins, and pin at ¼ inch up.
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3
Press the hem around the entire bottom of the dress. Remove the straight pins.
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4
Repeat the same process, as above, except this time measure 1 inch around the bottom of the dress. Remove the pins and use a blind hem stitch to finish the hem.
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Tips & Warnings
You may use a zigzag stitch at the bottom of your dress, instead of folding the fabric up ¼ inch, if you prefer.
