3 quick ways of fixing a hem

Learning how to take up a hem is an easy and useful skill to learn. If a pair of pants or skirt is just a little too long you can fix them yourself rather than relying on a tailor. The same goes for fixing a hem – especially in an emergency.

Hemming fundamentals

Follow these steps to shorten a piece of clothing:

• Wear the clothing with the height of shoes and belt you will wear with it.
• Get someone to help you mark the length with pins.
• To accurately measure from the floor, use a meter or yardstick.
• Turn the hem up and iron it into place.
• If you are losing a lot of length, cut away the surplus material and leave three centimetres (1 1/4 inches) for the hem.
• Iron under the raw edge of lightweight material 0.5 centimetres (1/4 inch).
• For heavy material, machine sew bias tape.
• Pin the hem flat into place and smooth away any extra material throughout the width to prevent tucks.
• Sew with a slipstitch.

Hem Repair

• If a hem is unravelling, a slipstitch is enough to fix it.
• Figure out where the hem has come loose. Place a knot on the hem about seven centimetre (three inches) form this spot.
• Push the needle through the hem and lop it through a thread on the inside of the garment.
• Do this stitch every 0.5 centimetres (1/4 inch) across the unravelled section. When you have finished tis, keep going for about seven centimetres (three inches) beyond.
• When you are done, anchor the thread with a knot.
• Finish off by pressing to keep the new hem in place.

Your hem needs fixing and you don’t have time to sew it? The following problems will fix it in a jiff.

• Use double-faced mending tape to hold a hem in place until the garment is laundered.
• Use fabric glue for a quick fix and five-minute drying, It washes off afterwards.
• Fabric glue dries in five minutes and is washable.
• For a longer-lasting fix, use fusible web. Apply it with an iron and pressing cloth. Follow manufacturer's directions for heat level.

Even if you're short of time, dealing with a hem is easy if you follow these tips. You'll never have a hem emergency again.