Card 22 · Dressmaking
Fold and stitch a straight hem.
A hem is when the bottom edge of a skirt, trousers or sleeve is folded and stitched flat. The fold line is the hemline. The gap between the fabric edge and the hemline is the hem allowance, written H.A on patterns.
- Straight hems
- Flared hems
- Circular hems
- Straight hems usually have a 3.5cm hem allowance. This may vary on patterns.
Try it!
☐ Fold and stitch a 3.5cm straight hem.
☐ Iron and pin the hem before stitching.
Top tip: Hems are easier to sew if they are pinned and ironed flat first. Stitch on the over-locked stitching, as it looks neater.
