The Importance Of Hemming For T-Shirts: A Necessary Step?

Hemming a T-shirt is a valuable skill that allows you to customise your clothing and achieve a professional finish and flawless fit. It is necessary for everyone who wants their T-shirts to fit their style and body. While it may seem unnecessary, a T-shirt that is too long can ruin your look, especially if you want to wear it untucked. Hemming your T-shirts ensures that they are the right length and that they hang loose, and it can make you look taller. You can even buy a cheap sewing machine and do it yourself at home.

Preparing the shirt for hemming

To prepare your shirt for hemming, start by turning it inside out. If you're unsure how short you want the shirt to be, put it on and mark the desired length with a dressmaker's chalk, pen, or a pin.

Next, cut the shirt about half an inch longer than the desired length. For a neater finish, draw a line with chalk or a pen, and use a ruler to measure the distance from the bottom edge of the shirt as you draw the line. This ensures the shirt will be the same length all around.

Now, fold the hem up by half an inch. This will be the inside of your hem, and your shirt should now be the exact length you want. T-shirt material doesn't fray much, so you don't need to worry about double-folding or finishing the raw edge. However, if you want a neater finish on the inside, you can serge the raw edge.

At this point, press the hem flat with an iron, using a heat setting suitable for the shirt's material. This gives your shirt a crisp edge along the bottom.

Finally, secure the hem with sewing pins. If you don't have a sewing machine or don't know how to sew, you can use iron-on hem tape instead. Simply slip the tape into the hem, and follow the package instructions to iron over the hem.

Sewing techniques for hemming a shirt

Hemming a T-shirt is quite easy, but it requires some preparation and the right tools. Here are some simple sewing techniques for hemming a T-shirt:

Preparation

First, put on the T-shirt inside out and mark the desired length with a dressmaker's chalk, pen, or a pin. Take the shirt off, and cut it 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) longer than the desired length. Then, draw a line using a ruler to ensure that the shirt will be the same length all around.

Folding and Pressing

Next, fold the hem up by 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters). This will be the inside of the hem. The shirt should now be the exact desired length. Press the hem flat with an iron on a heat setting suitable for the shirt's material.

Securing the Hem

Secure the hem with sewing pins. If you don't have a sewing machine or don't know how to sew, you can use iron-on hem tape instead. Simply slip it into the hem and iron over it following the package instructions.

Sewing

Sew as close to the raw edge as possible using a zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch. Use a thread color that matches the shirt, and remove the pins as you sew. Sew back and forth over the start and end of the sewing to prevent unraveling. Try to start and end sewing at one of the side seams to better conceal the stitches.

Finishing Touches

Finally, trim any excess threads, turn the shirt right-side-out, and it's ready to wear!

Additional Tips

• When selecting the appropriate length, remember that different styles may require varying amounts of fabric to be removed.
• Choose a thread color that matches the fabric or blends harmoniously. If an exact match isn't available, opt for a slightly darker shade.
• Adjust your sewing machine settings according to the fabric. Use a smaller needle and lower tension for lightweight fabrics, and a larger needle and higher tension for heavier fabrics.

Finishing touches of hemming a shirt process

Hemming is a crucial step in the process of altering a shirt as it gives a neat and professional finish to the garment. Here are the steps to finish off the hemming process:

Trimming Excess Fabric

After you have sewn the hem, carefully trim any excess fabric close to the stitch line. Leave a small allowance to prevent fraying or unravelling over time. Be careful not to cut into the main body of the shirt.

Pressing the Hem

To give your hem a professional finish, use an iron to press it. Set the iron to the appropriate heat setting for the fabric type. Press the hem, following the folded edge, to create a crisp and smooth appearance. Pressing will also help the stitches settle and improve the overall durability of the hem.

Inspecting and Adjusting the Hem

After pressing, closely inspect the hem for any unevenness or loose stitches. If you notice any imperfections, take the time to fix them by re-stitching or adjusting the hem as needed. Ensuring the hem is even and secure before moving on is crucial.

Choosing the Right Thread Colour

The appropriate thread colour is essential for achieving a seamless and professional finish. Choose a thread colour that matches the fabric or blends in harmoniously. If an exact match isn’t available, opt for a slightly darker shade rather than a lighter one, as it will be less noticeable.

Using Appropriate Sewing Machine Settings

When hemming a shirt, adjust your sewing machine settings according to the fabric you are working with. Use a smaller needle size for lightweight and delicate fabrics and decrease the tension to prevent puckering or pulling. Heavier fabrics may require a larger needle and slightly increased tension. Always test on a scrap piece of fabric before hemming the actual shirt.

Working with Different Fabrics

Different fabrics require specific handling to achieve a professional hem. Lightweight fabrics like silk or chiffon may benefit from a rolled hem technique to prevent bulkiness. For stretchy fabrics, consider using a narrow zigzag stitch or a twin needle for flexibility. Experiment and adjust your techniques to suit the fabric’s characteristics and desired outcome.

Choosing the right thread colour

If you are wearing vibrant colours, consider adding a spool of red and royal blue to your collection. It is even easier to camouflage neutral threads on printed fabrics. If your project involves topstitching, you may want to invest in thread that matches perfectly or provides the desired colour contrast. In this case, consider purchasing special topstitching thread.

When selecting a thread colour for your hem, it is important to consider the type of fabric you are using. If your fabric is a single colour, simply select a colour that will blend with the fabric. The basic rule is to select a darker colour than the fabric, as lighter or brighter colours will stand out against the fabric.

However, if you are working with a patterned fabric with multiple colours, such as plaids, tweeds, or prints, you may need to choose different thread colours for different areas to avoid contrasting colours. In this case, choose a thread that matches the background colour if it is prominent in the fabric, or select the colour of the largest motif in the fabric. Alternatively, you can opt for a complementary colour to achieve an attractive look.

It is always a good idea to test the colour of the thread on a piece of fabric before starting to sew, especially for topstitching or other decorative stitches. Additionally, remember to consider the type of stitching you plan to make. If you are planning decorative stitches or topstitching, you will need a smoother thread than what you would use for sewing seams.

Lastly, don't forget to consider the type of fabric you are working with. Cotton fabric should be paired with cotton thread, synthetic fabric with synthetic thread, and so on. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your hemming project turns out just the way you want it.

Using appropriate sewing machine settings

Hemming a T-shirt is a straightforward process, but selecting the appropriate sewing machine settings is crucial for achieving a neat and durable finish. Here are some essential factors to consider when adjusting your sewing machine settings for hemming a T-shirt:

Fabric Type: The type of fabric you are working with will determine the optimal sewing machine settings. For lightweight and delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon, select a smaller needle size and decrease the thread tension to prevent puckering or pulling. In contrast, heavier fabrics may require a larger needle and slightly increased tension. Always conduct a test run on a scrap piece of fabric before hemming the actual T-shirt.

Stitch Type: The stitch type you choose will depend on the fabric type and the desired finish. For stretchy T-shirt fabrics, a narrow zigzag stitch or a twin needle stitch is recommended to allow for flexibility and movement. If you are aiming for a professional finish that resembles the original hem, consider using a coverstitch machine or a twin needle on your regular sewing machine. A straight stitch can also be used for hemming T-shirts, but it may not provide the same level of stretch as the other stitch options.

Thread Colour: While this may not seem like a "setting," choosing the right thread colour is essential for a seamless finish. Opt for a thread colour that closely matches the colour of the T-shirt. If an exact match is not available, choose a slightly darker shade, as it will be less noticeable.

Stitch Length: Adjust the stitch length on your sewing machine according to the fabric type and the desired look. For most T-shirt fabrics, a shorter stitch length is recommended to ensure the stitches are secure and do not skip. However, for very stretchy fabrics, you may need to increase the stitch length slightly to allow for more stretch and flexibility.

Presser Foot: Using the correct presser foot for your sewing machine can make a significant difference in the final result. If you are creating a blind hem, use a blind hem foot on your sewing machine. This special foot will help guide the fabric and create nearly invisible stitches. For other types of hems, use a standard presser foot or a rolled hem foot if you are working with lightweight fabrics.

Speed Control: Depending on your level of comfort and expertise, you may want to adjust the speed control settings on your sewing machine. For beginners, it is advisable to sew at a slower speed to ensure precision and avoid mistakes. More experienced sewists may prefer to work at a faster pace.

Remember always to refer to your sewing machine's user manual for specific instructions on adjusting the settings, as different machines may have unique features and requirements.

Frequently asked questions