Publish date:: Jul 28, 2009
Updated on: Nov 7, 2018

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.

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the original hem using a seam ripper.
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.
TIP: Garments should always be washed and dried before hemming to reduce shrinking.
Step 3: Pin the hem into place.
Step 4: Take the pants off, being careful of the straight pins, and turn them inside out.
Step 5: Iron the pinned hem to create a crease, and then remove the pins.
Step 6: Turn the extra fabric in to meet at the crease and pin it in place.
TIP: If the extra fabric is longer than two inches, trim to two inches before folding it.
Step 7: Try on the garment one more time to make sure the pinned hems are even. Make any adjustments at this point.
Step 8: Hand-sew the top of the hem, using small stitches all the way around.
FACT: The first sewing needles were made out of bone approximately 17,000 years ago.