Hand Sewing a Hem stitch

Knowing how to hand sew a hem stitch will avoid you paying for this alteration on ready-made garments by learning to do it yourself.  In addition, I like to hand sew the quilt binding of my quilts instead of machine stitch; because, with not using a binding agent it get real bulky and it looks more handmade instead of manufactured, especially with industries using cheap labor.  Beside quilts you use a hem stitch to take up a pant legs or skirts.  While working on some item that needed to be stuff, I remembered that you can use the hem stitch on them, too

 

Again, to get started you will need a needle, thread and a small pair of scissors to cut the thread.  First, on the backside of the fabric anchor the thread so the needle will come out of the fabric on the edge.  

                                  

                                             

Loop the thread behind the fabric.  Pull the needle through the fabric allowing the edge thread to loop on the edge of the fabric.  Repeat to continue sewing the edge you want covered is completely ticked down.  I like to use very short stitch so they are not noticeable. This is kind of how you to a blanket stitch; but, you try to make them undetected.  It is very important to make them very uniformed and straight and please be careful to not pull hand stitches to tight and create puckers in your fabric.

I talked briefly before about having trouble doing a knot when my arthritis acts up. I have to manual tie knots; so, here a demonstration through some pictures about how I have to do it. Sorry, about my bare foot in the picture, I was sitting in the living room doing these sewing projects.  Kevin needed the kitchen table for writing.

Step 1:  make circle with end of the thread.

 

Step 2:  take the needle and glide the end through the loop.

 

Step 3: pull the tread end taunt.

                                 

Repeat step 1-3 until you have another knot done.

                                 

 

Then cut off the excessive end of the thread below the knot.

 

I recommend that you get one of these universal folding templates to help with length of the hem you are sewing.  They are marked with a range of widths and come either curved or straight.

                                                  

Unfortunately, this is not free site you will have to subscribe and then they charge you per series http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/23030/teach-yourself-to-sew-season-1.  If you are interested in learn more about any kind of sewing this is an impressive site to look at http://sewingtutorials.blogspot.com/2008/05/general-sewing-tutorials.html.

Beside, All Free Sewing had a tutorial on how to hand sew at http://www.AllFreeSewing.com and this tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJUL3tu-Fec&feature=related.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sandi