DIY Style: Simple Hem Jobs

I know we've all, at some point in our fashion-minded lives, needed something hemmed! Whether it's a fab thrift find or a pricier goody, garments are often not ready-to-wear, at least not on my short frame. Sewing is not the daunting task some people think it is - it's actually quite easy, especially if you already own a sewing machine, plus it's money-saving. Here, I will show you my basic method for hemming these $5 each thrifted skirts via machine. You can also do this with hand-sewing, or even using iron-on fabric tape.

I originally bought these skirts in October with the intention of making them into Fall minis, but alas, time slipped away and it didn't happen. I'm starting out the new year by crossing some projects off my to-do list!


Step 1

Determine the length of the skirt and simply cut off the excess. I cut the linings approximately one inch shorter. Note: the red skirt originally had a back vent, but the length I wanted was above the vent, so I just cut that part off. It became a non-issue.

Step 2 

Next, I serged the raw edge of the skirts. This is totally optional, as most people don't own sergers. You could also choose an overlock stitch if your regular sewing machine has that option. Lastly, you can always turn under the raw edge at 1/2 inch, then turn the hem under again at whatever length you'd like. Just remember to account for that extra 1/2 inch when cutting off the hem. Note: I already had black thread in my serger and chose not to re-thread the machine with red thread for the red skirt because I didn't want to take the time required for that.

Step 3

Pressing garments should never be deleted when sewing - this is what gives seams professional quality finishes! Here, I'm turning the lining raw edge under about 1/2 inch and pressing. Then, I'm turning it under again, about 1/2 inch, and pressing and pinning. For the skirt fabric, I turned under approximately 1 and 1/2 inch and pressed and pinned. Please excuse my vintage 1970s ironing board. ;-)

Step 4
Now I'm running the lining through the machine with a simple straight stitch.

Step 5

This is usually a hand-sewn step. I whip-stitch the hem by picking up only 1-2 threads on the underside of the skirt, so that the thread isn't visible from the outside of the skirt.

That's all there is to it! Very simple and it really shouldn't take more than an hour to do one skirt. I hope this tutorial helps and let me know if there are any questions.