Blind stitch is an easy way to finish fabric edge. But to do it perfectly, you gotta fold the hem correctly. That’s where every new swister struggles the most. As a newbie, I struggle too.
The struggle was so real that I got frustrated. I ran to Grandma and asked her to teach me how to fold a blind hem. She replied,
Fold the fabric to the desired hem length, then fold it back under, exposing a small edge for stitching.
I was not convinced enough; she knew from the look of my face. So she took a pair of pants from the closet and showed me how to fold pant leg for blind hem stitch. Cause perfect fold = perfect invisible look of the blind stitch.
How To Fold A Blind Hem Of Pants?
My struggle may get Grandma so concerned that she decided to show me practically. First, turn your pants inside out. This way, we can see the raw edge.
Now, fold the hem up to where you want it to sit. Make sure both legs are even. We don’t want one pant leg longer than the other! Grandma gently smooths the fabric, ensuring the fold is breakable. So that blind stitch thread goes right through it.
Now, here’s the trick to a blind hem—watch closely.
Tuck that folded edge back under, but don’t fold it down. This can help you do a double hem stitch.
Leave just a little bit, about a ¼ inch, sticking out at the top. That’s the part where the stitch will grab.
She reaches for a few pins. That will help you create the invisible stitch look.
Take the seam, fold it about 2 inches, and pin it at the seams. See this seam here? That’s where we start. Pin it right there so it doesn’t shift around on us. This will make the stitching process easy.
Now, here’s the other seam—
Let’s fold it back the same way. We want both sides to match. No need to measure if your eyes are good. Just make sure they look the same. If one side’s a little longer, adjust it until it looks right. There we go, that’s better.
Now, we’re safe to pin this next section. See how I’m holding both sides and giving them a little pull?
That helps everything fall into place, so it’s easier to pin. Go ahead and pin along the hem. But don’t forget to keep checking that your hem is even around. We don’t want one side dipping lower than the other stitches.
Grandma gives the hem a final check, patting it gently.
There, now it’s all ready for stitching. See how to fold a blind hem ? Once we sew it with the blind hem stitch, you’ll barely see the stitches on the outside. That’s the beauty of it.
Grandma looked at me and asked,
‘Do you get it? Tell me How to fold pant leg for blind hem stitch.’
I look down and take out the note I carry to write my sewing book. I said, looking at the notes,
To fold a blind hem stitch, you need,
- Turn the pants inside out.
- Fold the hem up to the desired length.
- Fold it back inside, exposing about ¼ inch of fabric at the top.
- Align the side seams and pin them first.
- Check that both sides are even, adjusting if needed.
- Pin around the hem to hold the fold in place.
- Smooth the fabric and double-check the alignment before stitching.
Grandma smiled big and said, ‘ great. That’s How to fold a hem. But if you are still confused then look at the video tutorial.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do I Need To Pin At The Seams First?
Pinning at the seams first ensures that the fabric stays aligned properly. It keeps everything even and prevents shifting when you sew.
Do I Have To Measure The Fabric To Make Sure It’s Even?
Not necessarily! You can just line it up visually if you have a good eye. But you can measure or use a seam gauge if you want extra accuracy.
What If One Side Is Longer Than The Other?
That’s an easy fix! Just adjust by folding or trimming slightly until both sides match. It’s all about making small tweaks before you sew.
Closing
So yes, that’s how learning how to fold a blind hem went with my grandma. I am sharing this with you so my sewing inspo readers don’t have to struggle like. So what do you think? Was it helpful?
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