How To Mark A Hem By Yourself
Hemming on clothing gives a new look, and people always prefer to buy high-quality clothes with hems. By hemming your garments, you can get a new touch and eliminate from being landing at the landfills.
Although it can be a suitable option, you need to do the markings properly. Learning to do the markings is the first and significant step that will allow you to use the clothing for a long time.
Hemming can be done by hand or sewing machine, but marking is a crucial step for that. Through this article, you will come to know about the methods of marking a hem.
Three different methods are included: one with a seam gauge, the second using a chalk hem marker, and the other without a tool. With that, you can mark a hem on the cloth by yourself and stitch.
You do not have to visit the store for any further assistance, so without wasting time, you must go through it.
How To Mark A Hem By Yourself?
Contents
First of all, you have to decide which cloth you want to sew. Accordingly, you can make markings using pins or stitch horizontally after every few stitches.
Just above that, you can insert the pins where you want to press the hem. Then, when you read this article, you can go through the step-by-step process and complete the task.
Put on clothes with the appropriate hem, and you will be surprised to see how it looks. It gives a more formal and professional look, and you can make adjustments as required.
Read onto this guide to know about the steps to mark a hem by yourself.
Tools Needed To Mark A Hem
The tools are necessary if you want to make a hem on any clothes. Without the tools, you cannot make the markings. The tools are:
Straight Pins: You must have sufficient pins with you to pin the cloth after making the markings. After you make the marks and pin it, you can understand if it will look proper or if you need to make further changes.
That’s why you must always have some extra pins with you.
String: If you are following the third process to get the mark, you can use strings. If you do not have strings, you cannot make the markings, and it will be difficult for you to get a hem.
Seam Gauge: If you follow the process using a seam allowance, you must get the tool from the market. It is readily available, and by using the blue slide, you can make the measurements.
Chalk Hem Marker: This tool is available in the supermarket, using which you can mark the hem. It also has a light, and when you have devices with the markings, you can spray the chalk powder. It will signify the marking on the hem.
Chalk: Irrespective of which process you follow, you must have chalk powder with you. Using chalk only, you can make the markings, and they will be visible. After that, you can follow the same line to sew a hem.
It makes the entire process easy for you and also does not consume much time. So, before you start the process, you must have all the tools with you to follow the process you want.
Method 1: Mark A Hem Without A Tool
Step 1: It is the easiest and affordable way to make the markings without using any tool.
Step 2: First, you must set the string and cut it off a foot length or about the width.
Step 3: Now, you must coat the string using chalk powder, and it is not at all difficult to get chalk powder and the string.
Step 4: You can also use different colored chalk powder for a more intense and better look. The chalk is easy to remove after you have got the hem done.
Step 5: From every door hem, you must measure up from the floor to the desired height of the hem. It would help if you taped at the end for stretching the string taut.
Step 6: Using the ruler and the level, you can check if the level of the string is maintained.
Step 7: Now, place the garment which you want to hem and stand closer to the string. Turn it slowly in a way that it brushes against the string lightly.
Step 8: When you do this, it brushes the chalk mark and transfers the chalk powder against the garment.
Step 9: Now, you can take off the cloth, press the cloth using the hem allowance with the chalk line.
Step 10: After that, you can sew the hem following the markings, and it is done.
Method 2: Mark A Hem Using A Seam Gauge
Step 1: First, you have to get a seam gauge, and then you have to decide on how high off you want the seam on the pants.
Step 2: You can start folding the pans from the bottom edge up to ½” from the ground level.
Step 3: Use a seam gauge as the guide, and you require the folding to be ¾” from below. It should be pin-up to that length.
Step 4: On the gauge, you will see a blue slide that you can lower or pull up depending on the markings.
Step 5: Using that, you can make the marking of the hem. It has different lengths, and the pants are folded up as per your needs.
Step 6: Now, you can fold it and use three pins to keep the markings intact.
Step 7: After that, you can wear the pants and see if the hem is in proper length. If so, you can take the pants out, and it is done.
Step 8: If you are not satisfied with the markings, you can open the folded part and continue with the above steps.
If you do not have a seam gauge with you at home, you can proceed with the next one.
Method 3: Mark A Hem Using A Chalk Hem Marker
Step 1: In the market, you will get a chalk hem marker which you can buy.
Step 2: To start with the process, you must also have a tool so anyone can sit and take the measurements.
Step 3: It has a ruler with a tall post using which you can make adjustments in the marker height to get the height of the hem.
Step 4: It also has powdered chalk, and after you determine the height, you can lock the device.
Step 5: It won’t move, and after you mark right up to the cloth, you can squeeze the bulb. It sprays the chalk along the straight line on the fabric.
Step 6: You must chalk it around the entire hemline for the entire pant or skirt.
Step 7: After that, you can fold the mark and press to have the new hemline.
If you do not want to buy the device, you can follow the next process.
Two Important Aspects To Remember
The two aspects to remember while marking the hem are:
- First, there can be slight variations based on the method you choose. So, based on the fabric, you can pick the one you think will give you even markings. Also, if you are looking for the cheapest process, you can use the string and chalk powder one.
- For bulky fabric, it is better to mark the hem using the seam gauge. It gives uniform markings throughout the entire clothing that you can follow to stitch the hem.
To get a perfect hem, you must follow the above process as it has been explained. Deviating or missing on the steps is not recommended if you want to get a uniform look.
After that, you can follow the markings to start sewing on your sewing machine. Of course, hand sewing can also be done, but machine sewing is a better option.
Why Is It Important To Mark the Hem Before Stitching?
Some people go ahead without making the markings, and due to that, they have to open the stitches again to follow the process. It takes more time and leads to more work which you can reduce.
By following the above process, you can easily make the markings. Then, it guides you to sew the hem and complete the project in one go. If not, you have to check every time that the stitching is moving in the right way or not.
Thus, to avoid that, you must start marking a hem before proceeding to the next step.
Is The Above Process Recommended On Any Clothes?
Yes, you can follow the above process on any clothes, and it is simple. All three methods are easy, and you can follow anyone. Also, the tools required to complete the task are available on the market.
In case you do not want to buy any products, you can still do it using string and chalk powder.
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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