Cut Out + Keep

Blind Hem

How to sew a blind hem

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/blind-hem • Posted by MadebyMeg

The blind hem is a great alternative to hemming a garment using topstitching. Once you get the hand of it, the stitches are nearly invisible on the outside of the hem!

You will need

Project Budget
Free

Time

0 h 30

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 107499 2f2015 02 16 140545 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.05.20 Medium 107499 2f2015 02 15 214111 made tutorial   blind hem

Description

The blind hem is a great alternative to hemming a garment using topstitching. Once you get the hand of it, the stitches are nearly invisible on the outside of the hem!

Instructions

  1. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140552 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.05.26

    Finish the raw edge of your hem using a zig-zag stitch or serger. Fold the hem up the desired length and press.

  2. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140625 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.05.56

    This is the origami part of the tutorial: take the folded edge and fold it under the garment, towards the right side. Leave about 1/4" of the finished edge sticking out from under the fold you just made.

  3. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140631 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.06.06

    From the wrong side, you should now be able to see a folded edge, and 1/4" of the top of the hemp peaking out from underneath the fold. press.

  4. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140725 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.07.03

    Now, find your machine's blend hem stitch. The stitch is composed of both zig-zag stitches and straight stitches.

  5. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140730 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.07.09

    Position your folded hem in your machine so that only the very point of the zig-zag stitch falls on the folded edge on the left. The straight stitches should fall only on the single layer on the right.

  6. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140822 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.07.57

    Stitch the hem using the blind hem stitch so that only the very point of the zig-zag stitch catches the folded edge, and the straight stitches remain on the single edge on the right. Be careful: sew too close to the folded edge and your seam will not open all the way; sew too far from the folded edge and your zig-zag stitches will not catch the folded edge. This takes some practice, and is what can make the blind hem a bit tricky.

  7. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140828 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.08.05

    Turning the garment to the right side, unfold the second fold. You should only see little tick marks of stitching on the right side (the tips of the zig-zag stitches). If using a matching thread, these tick marks should be nearly invisible.

  8. Small 107499 2f2015 02 16 140833 screen%2bshot%2b2015 02 16%2bat%2b14.08.10

    Press the hem flat so that there are no puckers or creases, and you're done!