Well, not everyone would want to have the ugly looking, unfolded edge of the t-shirts.
If the t-shirt is not hemmed, it looks so rough and catches the fold on itself that you would not be able to crease like normal.
Since the branded t-shirts landed to the customers properly hemmed but there are high chances of not having some with hem.
The word ‘hem’ might sound complex but the good thing is, it is pretty much easy to do.
How to hem a t shirt with a sewing machine makes the job quite simple and steadfast.
So, from diving into the length of embarrassment, doing the t-shirt hemming yourself, frankly speaking, does not require any technical background against the sewing machine.
What Means by Hemming a T-Shirt?
Maybe you need to trim down the t-shirt which is pretty much long in size?
Or do you like the t-shirt your siblings have which fits you but again is a little bit longer?
Wanna give it a style to short the front?
And it does not look any good to leave the t-shirt’s edge unstitched. Without hemming it, that would stay curled from different areas which certainly looks ugly.
All in all, that looks bad to the style that you want to retain going with the t-shirt without being hemmed.
How to Hem a T Shirt with a Sewing Machine
Hemming a t-shirt is like sewing, and the same sewing machine can assist to craft the best and most professional-looking hem.
When you can afford to have a sewing machine with added options and know how to operate it, it is best to hem it all by yourself and consider it to be a faster method.
But here is the catch — hemming with straight sewn could come loose and not meet with the expected results as thought.
And the straight hemming will rather act like not having the hem at all because that would start to fold and roll.
So, if your sewing machine comes with different stitching types like a zigzag stretch, you are in luck.
Then comes the next problem, not all the t-shirts are plain. The polyester and other blends make them kinda stretchy, so a straight stitch would be a total disaster.
Either you would want to hem with a zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch, your hem is gonna last for a long time!
Expect hemming the plain cotton and the stretchy-made t-shirts going along this very guide!
The procedure of Hemming a T-Shirt with a Sewing Machine
We would not hold you more from knowing the process of hemming a t-shirt with a sewing machine is nice, easy, and professional.
Step #1: Removing the Hem with Seam Ripper
If and by chance, your t-shirt has the hem already but still you want to shorten the length of it, it is indeed the fact you need to craft a new one.
Or if the t-shirt is missing on the hem, then you still need to create one.
So whatever the circumstances, we believe there is a hem out there and you gotta need a new one to create.
Cut out the thread off the seam using the seam ripper. Make sure you do not cause any hole or leave any thread there uncut.
Step #2: Unfold and Press the Bottom
Get that bottom creased out and press it using the iron. It is a critical part to sustain the even length and height of the hem.
But do not let the iron turn super hot. Go for the iron set to either ‘cotton’ or ‘knit’ to crease the bottom out.
Step #3: Determine the T-shirt’s Length
Wear the t-shirt and determine the overall length and decide how much length you want to retain and how much to lose by using the fabric marker.
Step #4: Cut Out the T-Shirt for New Length
Once you have the new length marked up in the previous step, it is time to cut the t-shirt according to the marked length before starting to craft the new hem.
To do that with ease, make sure to lay the t-shirt on a straight surface (table preferably an iron table.) And make sure there are no wrinkles around so that you cut the t-shirt all evenly from the marked line.
Step #5: Marked the Bottom for Hem
Now we go with another phase of marking and cutting.
First, take the measuring tape and size the t-shirt from bottom to top by 1 inch.
Now mark the line without losing the size of 1 inch from right to left. We kept 1-inch for the reason as it is a viable hem length that looks good to the eye.
After that, take the t-shirt inside out to start with the next phase of creating the hem.
Step #6: Apply Fabric Stabilizer
As with the marked 1-inch hem, try placing the fabric stabilizer to the bottom by keeping the edge at ½ inches.
This would keep the fabric straight and not rolling during the sewn-up.
Do not worry about the fabric stabilizers as they would not get caught when sewing and will wash out on their own.
Let the fabric stabilizer go completely dry before starting to sew.
Step #7: Place the Pins and Start Sewing the Hem
Fold the desired bottom of the hem to 1 inch and put the pins all around to keep the folded bottom in place.
Mark the fabric with dots to ensure the hem will come straight. Show the world your good skill set.
After that, set up the sewing machine to retain the stitch tension between medium to the middle so that it knits the fabric real comfortably.
Once your sewing machine is ready, start sewing the hem up to ¾ inches from the bottom. Take off all the pins once the fabric is sewn.
Step #8: Second Stitch for Security
Even after the hem has been sewn, we need the double-layer of security to make sure the hem does not come loose.
So, go with the second round of stitches by sewing the bottom a bit below by ½ inches from the first stitch.
Step #9: You are Done!
Now you have the hem successfully crafted on your favorite t-shirt! Launder the t-shirt to remove all the residue and everything off the t-shirt and start wearing it!
Conclusion!
It is quite a process that involves how to hem a t shirt with a sewing machine, but we must ensure that is worth the effort.
Since most amateurs might take it as a complex task even though they have good sewing skills, and turn to the market to pay a hefty amount for this simple task.
So, no more paying anyone to get hem crafted on your t-shirt from now on! 🙂