How To Hem A Skirt With A Serger
A serger is a useful tool for when you hem your garments. Sergers create a clean hem in one step. Making it the fastest method you can use to hem your skirt. Learning how to use a serger is an important skill for every seamstress to have.
Why You Should Use A Serger To Hem Your Skirt?
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When it comes to serging hems, many people may have only used the sewing machine. A serger is can also be used to hem skirts and other garments. It is strong and can easily work on tough garments such as blankets.
When you use a serger, you don’t have to fold your hems twice. This is because the serger easily trims as it sews. This ensures that the raw edges of your garments are eliminated while the hem is perfectly and accurately made.
Also, the fact that you don’t have to fold your hem several times when you use a serger ensures that you save time on your projects. As a professional seamstress, taking less time on a single project means that you can complete other projects.
Using a serger may be a bit difficult to learn. However, when you master how it works, you will always opt to use it to hem your skirts and other garments.
How Do You Hem A Skirt With A Serger?
Start by measuring the length of your skirt. Then determine how long you want your skirt to be after you have hemmed it and add 2 inches to this length for your seam allowance. Mark the point at which you want to hem all-around your skirt. Cut off the rest of the fabric below the marked line. Fold the hem by ½ inches and bring it to the serger.
Align the skirt to the needle of the serger, set the serger to a straight stitch, and start sewing the hem all around your skirt.
Step 1. Measure the desired length of your skirt. This means that you have to wear your skirt first and decide how long you want it to be if it is an already existing skirt. If you are making a new skirt, take your measurements of the desired length from your waist. To the desired length measurements add a 2-inch seam allowance.
If you are making or hemming a skirt with a lining, make sure that the lining is about 1 inch shorter than the skirt.
Step 2. Mark the desired length of the skirt. You will do this with a marking pen or with pins. Mark all around the skirt so that it is easier to cut off any excess fabric on your skirt. Use a clear ruler to ensure that your line is uniformly placed around the skirt.
Measure your desired length and add two inches and make a mark at this point. Measure the distance from the current bottom of the skirt to this point. Then, draw a line around the skirt to mark the hemming point.
Step 3. Cut the excess fabric of the skirt. Use the line you have just drawn as your guide when cutting around the skirt. You will have your skirt at its desired length and it will be ready to hem.
You can keep the excess fabric that you cut instead of throwing it away. You can use it in your other projects.
You are now ready to hem your skirt with a serger.
Step 4. Set your serger for an overlock stitch. This is a firm stitch that will hold the hem of your skirt neatly on the underside. It is not visible on the top and ensures that your skirt’s hem is as neat as possible.
Step 5. Fold the bottom of your skirt to the desired length and bring it to the serger for sewing the hem. When you use a serger to hem your skirt, you don’t have to make two folds as when you hem with a sewing machine. A serger makes stronger stitches than a sewing machine which ensure that your skirt does not fray.
Step 6. Set your serger to make a hem. This is especially useful when you are working with lightweight fabrics. The serger makes a neat hem on your skirt.
Step 7. Before you bring your skirt to the serger, make a few stitches. This creates a few stitches to start you on the hemming journey. Slide your skirt into your serger. The serger will then trim it with its knife as it makes the hem all around your skirt.
When you are serging, make sure that you use a thread that matches the color of your skirt. This ensures that the hem is not visible on the outside. It also ensures that your skirt is neat and appealing.
Step 8. When serging, sew along one side, then pull it out. As you do this continue stitching to make a chain stitch to start you off on the hem for the next side of your skirt.
Step 9. When you have finished serging your skirt, gently remove it from the serger. The first thing you will notice is how smooth the hem is. You will also notice that you can’t see the hemming stitches on the top, giving your skirt an appealingly smooth, and beautiful look.
Underneath the hem, you will find strong overlock stitches holding your hem firmly. These stitches are difficult to fray. This ensures that your skirt is durable and of high quality.
When you use a serger to hem your skirt, you can make some shapes with the hem. You can set the serger to produce some lettuce-style edges or add lace markings on the skirt. This is possible since you can use your serger’s settings. Depending on the type and model of serger you are using, you have a range of visual styles you can apply to the hem of your skirts.
Types Of Hems You Can Use In Your Sewing
How you finish the edges of your garments enhances the appeal of the garment. Therefore, every seamstress needs to master the hemming skill. Using sergers shortens the serging process. It also provides you with a range of beautiful-looking edges if you choose to use the additional settings on the serger.
There are different types of hems that you can use to finish the edges of your garment. The most common type of hem used on many types of garments is the double fold hem. It is commonly used since it is easy to complete. It also provides a clean and professional finish to garments. If you are making a straight hem this is the hem to go for.
Another common type of hem is the narrow rolled hem. It is common to use this hem for lightweight fabrics. For instance, this is the hem you will find on blouses. If you want to hem on curved edges, this is the hem you will use. Unlike the double fold hem, this hem is much narrower. Making it much easier to complete even for beginner sewers.
Another type of hem that is commonly used while sewing is the blind hem. It is known as a blind hem since it is mostly invisible. When looking at a garment from the right side, you can barely see the hemming stitches. Most of the stitches are on the underside. It is the most commonly used hem for skirts and other straight hems. You don’t need a special sewing machine accessory to complete this hem.
A zig-zag or overlocked hem is commonly used for bulky fabrics. It involves the use of both a serger and sewing machine. Serge the raw edge of the garment and press it up. Then use your sewing machine to stitch on the finished edge.
How To Hem A Skirt By Hand?
If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can easily hem your skirt by hand. All you need to have are a needle, matching thread, and scissors or razor blade to cut. You will also need a measuring tape and marking chalk.
Wear or measure the length of the skirt and determine its desired length and mark this point. Add two inches for the seam allowance. Any excess fabric on your skirt beyond this point should be cut off.
Thread your needle. Make sure to use a high-quality thread for the type of skirt that you are hemming. Fold the skirt seam allowance up and start sewing it in place. You can use a blind stitch to hem your skirt. Sew your hem all around the skirt.
When you have finished hemming, turn on the iron and press the hem. Press all around the skirt until you have a presentable well pressed edge on the skirt.
Besides sewing the hem in, another method you can use to hem a skirt by hand is the use of hemming tape. This is a quick and easy method to use.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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