Download Article Download Article

Whether you're making a new skirt or you just cut one of your existing skirts shorter, you'll need to hem the bottom edge. But how? Don't worry! It's actually surprisingly easy, and we'll walk you through what to do step-by-step. Follow the step below, and soon your beautiful skirt will be ready to wear.

Best Way to Hem a Skirt

  1. Measure and mark the desired hemline on the fabric with chalk.
  2. Cut along the line you drew to remove the excess fabric.
  3. Fold the hem down ½ inch, secure it with pins, and iron the fold.
  4. Fold the hem down another 1½ inches, pin it, and iron again.
  5. Sew along the fold close to the folded edge to create the hem.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Hemming a Standard Skirt

Download Article
  1. You will need this extra length for the hem. If your skirt has a lining, and you need to hem it as well, plan on having it 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter than the finished skirt.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Consider using a hem gauge to measure upward from the hem while you draw the line. This will ensure that you will be cutting an equal amount off all around the skirt. If you don't have a hem gauge, you can use a ruler or measuring tape instead.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    If your skirt has a lining, cut the lining 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Be sure that you are folding towards the wrong size of the fabric (inside the skirt). If you have a serger, or if your serving machine has an overlock stitch, you can skip the folding and use that instead. When you are done, remove the sewing pins.
    • Pressing the hem with an iron helps smooth out the fabric so that it's easier to sew.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Fold the hem down by another 1½ inches (3.81 centimeters), secure it with sewing pins, then press it flat with an iron again. If you are sewing a skirt lining, fold it down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) instead.cKeep the pins in place.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Try to get as close to the folded edge as you can. About 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch (0.16 to 0.32 centimeters) will be enough. [1]
    • Use a thread color that closely matches your fabric.
    • This is ideal for those who are working with skirt linings and thinner materials.
  7. Consider blind stitching the hem. Thread a needle, and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Use the needle to pull the thread through the hem. Catch 1 to 2 threads from the skirt material, then bring the needle back into the hem. Pull the needle ¼ inch (0.63 centimeters) through the hem, then use it to catch 1 to 2 threads from the skirt material again. Keep blind stitching until the hem is all sewn up. Knot the end of the thread, and snip the rest off. [2]
    • Use a thread color that closely matches your fabric.
    • This is great for those working with a heavier or thicker material.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    After this, your skirt is now ready to wear.
  9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Hemming a Circle Skirt

Download Article
  1. You will need this extra fabric to make the hem. If you are going to be hemming a skirt lining, plan on making it 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter than the finished skirt.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Consider using a hem gauge to measure up from the bottom of the skirt to the cutting point. This will help ensure that you are cutting an even amount off all along the hem. If you don't have a hem gauge, you can use a measuring tape or ruler instead.
    • If you are cutting a skirt lining, cut it 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) shorter than the skirt itself.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Try to use a higher thread tension for this. This will help make the hem easier to fold later on. It will also create a sort of guideline for you, so you won't have to make as many measurements. [3]
    • Use a thread color that closely matches your fabric.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Lift the iron up and down as you press; do not move it side to side. You should have a ¼ inch (0.63 centimeters) wide hem inside your skirt at this point.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    Because the folding takes up some excess fabric, your hem will be about 5/8 inch (1.59 centimeters), as opposed to an exact ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). [4]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    If your sewing machine has an edge stitching foot attachment, consider using that instead. [5] The edge stitching foot is often labeled as a #5 foot.
    • Use a thread color that closely matches your fabric.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Hem a Skirt
    After this, your skirt is ready to wear.
  8. Advertisement

Video

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I know whether my skirt is a circle skirt or a standard skirt?
    Community Answer
    A circle skirt is really big at the hem, and when you lay it out flat, it would look like a circle.
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Let your skirt hang a few days before you hem it. This will allow the fabric to stretch with the direction it drapes in. [6]
      • If you can, wash, dry, and iron your skirt to remove any potential shrinking and wrinkles. The one exception to this is if your skirt is not machine washable.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Hemming a Standard Skirt

      • Skirt
      • Measuring tape or ruler
      • Hem gauge (optional)
      • Scissors
      • Dressmaker's chalk
      • Sewing machine or needle and thread
      • Thread
      • Sewing pins
      • Iron

      Hemming a Circle Skirt

      • Skirt
      • Measuring tape or ruler
      • Hem gauge (optional)
      • Scissors
      • Sewing machine
      • Thread
      • Iron

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To hem a skirt, start by trimming the excess fabric from the bottom, leaving it 2 inches longer than you want it to allow for the seam. Next, fold the bottom 1/2 inch of the fabric up, and secure it with pins before ironing it into place. Then, fold the fabric up another 1 1/2 inches, and pin and iron it again. Once the second seam is pressed, sew along it as close to the edge as you can, using a sewing machine or hand sewing it with a blind stitch. When you’ve sewn all the way around the hem, knot the thread and press the seam with an iron one more time. To learn how to hem a circle skirt, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 189,248 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Julie Barker

        Apr 30, 2018

        "Really easy to follow. Sometimes it's easier to read instructions rather than go to YouTube."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement