How to Hem Formal Gowns
Chances are when you purchase a formal gown it is going to need some type of alteration. It may be something as simple as putting a hem in the gown, which is something that you can easily do with some instructions.
- Try the gown on to determine where the hemline should be and use a fabric marking pencil to mark the location.
- Turn the gown inside out and lay it flat on the table and use a tape measure to measure up from the existing hemline.
- Use the fabric marking pencil to mark around the entire skirt. This will determine how much of the dress should be cut off. Allow approximately 1/2-inch for the hem.
- Use the scissors to cut off the bottom of the gown according to the markings you made.
- Sew a zigzag stitch on the raw edge of the material.
- Turn the fabric under 1/2-inch all the around the skirt and use stickpins to hold it in place.
- Use the sewing machine to sew all the way around the bottom of the skirt 1/8-inch from the zigzag stitch you made.
- Roll the hem up 1/2-inch and press, then open the pressed hem and fold the 1/2-inch hem in half to make a 1/4-inch him all the around the gown.
- Pin the folded hem in place with stickpins.
- Lay the gown flat on your lap where the inside of the gown is facing outward.
- Use a needle and tread to finish hemming the gown. Push the needle through approximately 1-inch and pull it through the hem at the top of the pressed fold. Refrain from pulling the thread to tight because it may cause the material to pucker.
- Continue to place the hem around the entire dress and tie off the end of the tread when you are finished and clip with the scissors.