How to Sew a Hem
Sure, you can always use iron-on hem tape to shorten those pants, but maybe it’s time to join the 35 million Americans who can sew—yes, with a needle and thread—a hem.
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All you need is a needle, thread, some fabric, and these step by step instructions to start sewing.
You Will Need
- A seam ripper
- A floor-length mirror
- Straight pins
- An iron
- A sewing needle
- Thread
Steps
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Step 1
Remove the original hem using a seam ripper.
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Step 2
Put on the garment, with shoes, and fold it under to the desired length. Use a floor-length mirror to make sure the new hem is an equal distance from the floor.
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Garments should always be washed and dried before hemming to reduce shrinking.
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Step 3
Pin the hem into place.
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Step 4
Take the pants off, being careful of the straight pins, and turn them inside out.
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Step 5
Iron the pinned hem to create a crease, and then remove the pins.
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Step 6
Turn the extra fabric in to meet at the crease and pin it in place.
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If the extra fabric is longer than two inches, trim to two inches before folding it.
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Step 7
Try on the garment one more time to make sure the pinned hems are even. Make any adjustments at this point.
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Step 8
Hand-sew the top of the hem, using small stitches all the way around.
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The first sewing needles were made out of bone approximately 17,000 years ago.
