One of the most common sewing projects is the hem. A hem is a border finish which prevents the edges of a fabric from to be blurred and gives it a neat and professional finish. The hems can be carried out by hand or by machine, depending on your level of sewing experience and the type of project you carry out. In this article, we will teach you how to sew a hem in the machine and by hand.
Part 1: The necessary supplies
To sew a hem, you will need some basic supplies:
- A fabric for hem
- A sewing machine or a needle and thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Iron
- A meter-riban
Make sure you have all these items before you start your project.
Part 2: Prepare the fabric
The first step to sew a hem is to prepare the fabric. Start by washing and ironing the fabric to make sure it is clean and without folds. If you need to shorten a garment, measure the length you want to shorten and add about 2.5 cm for the hem.
Then fold the edge of the fabric over the desired length for the hem. If you sew a machine hem, you can use pins to keep the fabric in place. If you sew a hem by hand, you can use pins or built points to keep the fabric in place.
Part 3: Sew a hem in the machine
If you sew a hem in the machine, here are the steps to follow:
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Place your fabric under the doe foot of the sewing machine and lower the doe foot to keep the fabric in place.
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Start sewing using a right point or a zigzag point, depending on the type of fabric you use. If you use an extensible fabric, a zigzag point is recommended to prevent the hem from breaking.
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When you reach the corner of the hem, stop sewing about 1.5 cm from the edge and lower the needle in the fabric.
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Lift the doe foot and turn the fabric to sew the next side.
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Lower the doe foot and continue sewing.
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When you reach the starting point, stop sewing and cut the wire.
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Return the hem to give it a neat finish.
Part 4: Sew a hem in hand
If you sew a hem in hand, here are the steps to follow:
- Start by putting on a needle with
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thread and make a knot at the end.
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Using built -in points or pins, hold the edge of the hem in place.
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Starting from the edge opposite your knot, prick the needle in the fabric, making the knot are hidden.
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Then prick the needle through the folded edge of the fabric, taking care not to prick the outside fabric.
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Repeat this step by making regular points over the entire length of the hem.
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When you arrive at the corner, fold the hem so that it forms a right angle and continue to sew by following the same technique.
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When you arrive at the starting point, make a knot with the wire and cut it.
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Return the hem to make it flat and neat.
Part 5: tips for a perfect hem
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To prevent the fabric from sliding while you sew, use a band of tissue paper under the fabric.
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If you sew a hem in the machine, use a fine needle to avoid drilling too many holes in the fabric.
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When you sew a hem, use a matching color wire for a professional result.
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For a clear finish, iron the hem before sewing so that it remains in place.
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If you need to shorten a garment, measure the length from the existing hem to make sure your hem is uniform.
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To prevent the hem from turning, use a overwhelming or sewing machine with an overlock function to finish the edges.
Sewing an hem may seem simple, but it is an important competence to have in your sewing arsenal. Whether you use a sewing machine or hand -sewn, tracking the basic steps will allow you to make a professional and neat hem. Do not forget to prepare the fabric properly, choose the right sewing method for your project and use the tips and advice that we have shared to get a perfect result each time. With a little practice, you can carry out impeccable hems on all your sewing projects.
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