How to Hem a Skirt
Aurora SisnerosAurora Sisneros teaches you how to hem a skirt as well as provides helpful tips and techniques on hemming a skirt. Learn how to ensure your skirt is the same length in the front and in the back. Also, find out the importance of having a friend available to assist you in the process of hemming your skirt.
Related Article: 3 Tips for Sewing Perfect Skirt Hems
You've just finished your skirt and now you're ready to hem it. I know it can be really exciting, but I highly suggest you wait for a friend. The reason why, you might want to just come over and start to fold under the edge of your hem and fold it over again, and finally do your hem. However, we can't forget that sometimes women have backsides, and if you do that without measuring or trying it on first, then the backside can end up being a little too short and shorter than the front, and then it looks a little lopsided. So when you're hemming, you should always him from the floor up, and we have this great little tool right here, and this is where you need a buddy, 'cause you're gonna put the skirt on, and then you're gonna have your buddy slide this under your skirt, and then you're going to mark where you want your hem to be.
So this little tool here is going to be at the same location from the floor all the way around. So this is where we want our hem to be, so I'm gonna put a pin right there. We're gonna open this up. You are going to spin, and then we're going to close this again, and we're going to make another mark. Now, remember that these pins that you're putting in are where you want the skirt hem to be.
So if you need another inch beyond that to fold over and then finish your hem, then make sure to cut an inch below the pins that you're placing. But this ensures, even when you get to the backside of the skirt, where your booty might pull it up a little higher than the floor, even the backside is at the same length, because you're measuring from the floor up, and you'll have a perfect hem every time.
Wow! That's even husband-proof! (I had my husband help me cut a formal dress for hemming once. He did a super job, but it was scary!)
<strong>Ticket 36240</strong> WHAT IS THE TOOL YOU ARE USING TO HEM YOUR SKIRT?
I searched the internet for the hemming tool and could only come up with a "Vintage" tool by Dritz for $60. Are these still made and, if so, where can I find one?
This technique works on all skirt designs except the one on which you used it. With a tiered gathered skirt such as this one if there is a difference in length between the back and the front your bottom ruffle would be uneven. If there is a yoke on the skirt the adjustment should be at the bottom of the yoke or at the waist before elastic casing is made or a waistband is applied. The unevenness between back and front would then go unnoticed (In my many years of teaching I have found the techniques I suggest work for the majority of students)
is that a dress form that she's using? How would this work for those of us that don't have a dress form (this video apparently assumes). Thanks.
Good video. Were can the hemming tool used in video be purchased?
I just watched how to hem a skirt and your demonstrator did this from the bottom edge of the skirt making it very obvious that the skirt was hemmed. Why not shorten each flounce the required amount so that it never looked as though it was hemmed. That is the professional way to do this hem and the way I would do for it any client.
With a tiered skirt, I prefer to adjust the skirt from the waist line and keep the seams of the tiers parallel to the floor. It is a bit more work if the skirt is already made. If you are making the skirt from a pattern the adjustment can be made in the pattern or on your muslin. It provides a much nicer look.
I would like to know where I can buy the floor hemmer? I live in VA. and have not been able to find it.
Great video Aurora! You are fantastic on camera!