Husqvarna Sewing Machine
Sewing Machines   Accessories   Books   DVD

How To Repair A Loose Hem 

It happens to the best of us:  Just as we are pulling on that favorite skirt or pair of pants, we realize the hem is hanging down, revealing thread and frayed edges.  Now what?  Throw it away?  Of course not!  Repairing a broken or loose hem on a skirt or pair of pants is easier than you think, requiring just a bit of time and patience. 

First, after turning the garment inside out, use a ruler or measuring tape to measure a part of the hem that has not come undone.  Turn the loose part of the hem under that same amount and use sewing or straight pins to keep it in place as you sew. 

Using a thread colored as close as possible to the rest of the hem, measure out two arm lengths (from finger tips to elbow) and cut with some scissors.  Feed one end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull until both sides are equal.  Sharp scissors or sewing sheers will make threading the needle easier by leaving the thread end crisp.  Wrap the ends of the thread around the tip of your pointer finger and carefully but firmly roll your thumb over the thread, slipping it off your pointer finger.  Gently tug the thread until it forms a small knot. 

Beginning about half an inch from where the hem starts to fall out, pick up just a few threads of fabric so that it is barely noticeable from the front and make a horizontal stitch.  Then about ¼ inch away, do the same to the folded hem fabric, keeping the thread firm but not too tight, as it will pucker.  Repeat until you have stitched the entire pulled hem and another half in past where the hem had remained intact. Voila! A newly repaired hem.