Sometimes, we buy clothes and they’re too long or we want them a tad bit shorter. Normally, you would probably take them to the cleaners and pay to have them tailored. However, if you can’t get to a cleaners or don’t want to pay and you feel like attempting it yourself, then give it a go. I learned this hidden stitch in high school. It was actually the skill I won first place in the district competition. (This was so long ago!) I’ve always liked this stitch. It’s like having a secret and not wanting anyone to know. Hence, the hidden stitch.
The first step is to try the garment on and determine how high you want the hem. Then, fold garment’s hem one time. Press down.
Then fold hem again at the measuring point. This will make the fold to insert needle through when doing the hidden stitch. Press again.
Thread a needle with matching thread as close to the garment’s color as possible. (For this post, I am using a non-matching color so that you will be able to see the stitch better. However, you will want to select a color that is the same color as material.) Knot the thread at the end. Only knot one end of the thread. Do not tie them together.
The key to the hidden stitch is to try and pick up only one strand of material in the first step. If you can’t help but pick up two strands of material, that is still okay. The less strands you pick up, the lesser the thread shows through the material. Pull through or go right into next step below.
Slide needle through folded area about 1/2 inch or more and bring back through fold.
Then, repeat process again by picking up one strand of material and inserting needle back into the folded area. This photo shows how the threading process looks when doing the hidden stitch. Continue sewing all the way around until you come back to the beginning.
Once you come to the end, secure the thread.
Turn garment over and there you have it….the hidden stitch. You can see the little black thread stitch a little. Now, imagine if you’re using the same color thread, you would barely notice the thread at all. Now, you can do that yourself whenever you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to get to the cleaners.
Video of Hemming a Garment Using the Hidden Stitch
Next week, I will try to show the top stitch. It is useful when hemming jeans. It is done on the sewing machine.
Do you sew? Or are you interested in sewing? I always love the idea of having as many skills in my bag as possible.
I’ve learn several just rigght stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much effort you set to create the sort of magnificent informative website.
Magnificent pokonać! I chciałby ucznia podczas zmienić swoje strona
internetowa, jak może i zapisz się na blogu
stronie?Konto pomógł mi dopuszczalną ofertę. Byłem trochę nieco
zaznajomieni z tej swojej audycji oferowane jasny koncepcja
By hand?! I would so take my sewing machine to that fabric! 😉 But mine would probably not end up hidden. New follower from the Mom Blogger Club, new blogger group.
Hi Sharon!
Thanks for this post!
I have loved shopping at Old Navy since my daughter was an infant.
They have great clothes that hold up well for kids, and now that my daughter is eight, she loves picking out some of her clothes herself. She especially loves the animal tees!!
This is a post i totally need! I am always shorter than my clothes. I’m going to give this a try. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I’m now following yours!
Melanie
violetsbuds.blogspot.com
Hi Melanie! Hope the hidden stitch demo helps. I love this simple but easy stitch.
I did sewing classes in high school but they did not last long. I regret not continuing with it so much that I am determined to learn to do some sewing again. Very interesting post on the hidden stitch.
Hi Judy! A lot of my friends took it in high school too. It’s just a great skill to have.
Really great instructions Sharon! I always finding sewing difficult but this makes it looks so easy.
Cheers!
Reese
Thanks Reese! I always find sewing a great skill that comes in handy and gets easier the more you do.
Great job! I use to hem everything and now I just use iron on hem tape. Can you believe it, I am the girl that made all the dresses for her wedding party and made all my mother in law’s clothes for the Masonite’s (she wore white all the time). If my husband gives me a pair of pants to hem it takes me a month or more to get them done…smh. I think when my hobby turned into a job I started not to like it.
Living F.A.B.ulously on Purpose
Thanks Margaret! I have never tried iron-on hem tape. Before I did this post, I meant to look for it in Joanne’s Fabric but forgot. Gonna definitely check it out though. I don’t sew as much as I use to sew. When kids/husbands enter the picture, it’s hard to do a lot of the things I use to do.
Great post!
I love to sew however I have to sew everything by hand as I do not have a sewing machine. Maybe some day. I still have fun with it although it does take time.
Hi Bismah! Woo… everything by hand. I know that takes forever. I use a needle and thread occasionally, but I love my machine. Zip and you’re done.
wow…so cool, but I would still mess it up, LOL. thanks for the tips babe.
Hi Karen! I got the feeling that you could probably do this sewing skill and it would come out great….
I used to sew a lot before. Then my sewing machine broke down and I did not bother to fix it. I do hemming for my pants and my husband’s. And yes, I do something like a hidden stitch. My Mother in law taught me 🙂
Hi Vinma! It’s my favorite sewing skill, outside of the top stitch. Comes in very handy!
I used to sew a lot more. My sewing machine has been in my attic for awhile. I’m not sure it works anymore. Now that I’m retired, I’m seeing all sorts of cute little projects for around the home and I’m starting to get the sewing “itch” again. That’s a great tutorial. 🙂
Thanks Lydia! I only get an opportunity to sew now that I’m at stay-at-home mom. Before that, I hadn’t sewn in ages, mostly just taking in garments that were too large/something that needed to be tailored.
Thanks for linking up this great tutorial on te Get Inspired Weekend Hop!!
Thanks Melanie!
Awesome tutorial!
Thanks Wanda!
I really wish I could sew! I remember my mom could sew and would make outfits for me when I was in grade school. However, I still have nightmares about the crooked pillow I created in Home Ec class in high school. Maybe I should give it a second try though.
Hi Jean! Perhaps the sewing will work out better for you this time. It is such a great skill to have.
i will have to try this!
Hi Michelle! You should definitely try this….