How to Hem Lightweight or Sheer Fabric

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Duration:   2  mins

Lightweight or sheer fabrics can add a lot of dimension and fullness to a garment but can be tricky to finish. Both sheer fabric and most lightweight fabrics require a hem because they can ravel, so Beth Bradley shows you a great way to create a nice, clean narrow hem for these fabrics. Beth shows you a straightforward approach to the hem that requires only easy stitching, folding, and pressing. She even shares some tips on tools, like duck bill scissors, which can make the job a lot easier. Beth explains that this narrow hem may take a few extra minutes to finish off the garment, but that the clean, professional look is well worth it!

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12 Responses to “How to Hem Lightweight or Sheer Fabric”

  2. Deborah

    if you do the hem as she suggested, what is the hem allowance used when cutting out the project piece?

    Reply
  3. Jeannie

    Nicely done, although too large a file to watch easily streamed to a mobile device. As these videos are most often sought out by beginners, I think it’s always worth a mention of the importance of the right needle for the fabric weight. All the different needles can be confusing for someone trying things out the first time.

    Reply
    • jean.wozniak

      Hi Elizabeth. You can absolutely use a rolled hem foot, and that may be the easier option. This technique would be a way to create the hem if you didn’t have that foot.

      Reply
  5. Yvette

    I am wondering if that same sheer material could not have been interlock instead of doing it that way?

    Reply
    • National Sewing Circle

      Hi Yvette. Yes, you could also use a serger to finish the raw edges of sheer or lightweight fabric. This just demonstrated a way it could be done using a conventional sewing machine.

      Reply
  6. reem

    thank you ladies for the nice videos you post on.. but i would suggest you reduce a bit the HD as sometimes it causes trouble downloading the videos.. and while one is interestingly watching you get interrupted more than 10-15 times within a 5-minute-video.. please, fix this

    Reply
    • National Sewing Circle

      Thank you for your feedback. We will forward your comment to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community.

      Reply
  7. Norma

    why not make your first stitching line about 1/2″ from the edge of the fabric, making it easier to trim later?

    Reply
    • National Sewing Circle

      Hi!
      You can definitely make your first stitching line further from the edge if that makes it easier, both for the stitching and the trimming later. However, if you decide to do this I would recommend adding about 1/2″-1″ more length to your project so that the amount used up by the hem is not noticeable.
      Hope this helps!

      Reply

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