A double-fold hem means folding the bottom edge of your fabric towards the wrong side of the fabric twice. You usually see this hem on a wide range of products like curtains, blankets, dresses, and skirts. This is a simple hem that is easy to master and is useful when it comes to mending repairs.
Supplies Needed:
- Sewing machine
- Thread in preferred color
- Bobbin thread in matching thread color ( if you want to match) see note on Step 5
- Fabric
- Pins
- Iron
- Scissors
Step 1: Prepare the fabric
The first step is the easiest step; you get to choose the fabric you want to create a double-fold hem for! Pictured in this tutorial is a piece of blue silk that I was making for a pillowcase project.
Step 2: Creating the Folds
With the wrong side of the fabric on the surface, you are going to fold the edge to your preferred measurement, it could be 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, etc. It all depends on the project you are doing. For example, when I was doing this project I folded it in once at 1/2″ from the raw edge and then pressed it. As seen in this photo my hem is not going to be very wide, however, you can make it is as narrow or wide as you prefer.
Step 3: Create the Final Fold
Once the first fold is created and pressed, continue with the process by folding it a second time to the desired measurement.
In this case, my desired measurement is 1″ finished including the 1/2″ folded underneath that was seen in Step 2. If you wanted to create a large hem, you could fold down 1 1/2″ from where the first fold ended. If you wanted to create a medium hem, I would suggest folding down 1″. Then for a small hem, you could fold down 1/2″ from where the first fold ended.
Once you get the hem to the measurement you want to press the final fold and then pin the fabric to hold it in place.
Step 4: Test it out!
Before you sew anything make sure you see if the hem is hitting where you want it to and then adjust accordingly. This is an important step to see how the fabric is hanging and whether or not you need to make the hem narrow or wider.
Step 5: Sew the Hem
Using a straight stitch sew close to the folded edge to hold the hem in place, backstitching at the beginning and at the end to reinforce it.
NOTE: Depending on whether or not you used matching bobbin thread you can either sew it with the folded edge facing up or with the folded edge facing the surface. If your bobbin thread is different from your main thread and the folded edge is facing up towards you, this means you will see the bobbin color on the finished side or the right side of the fabric.
Step 6: The Finished Hem
Once you’re done with the stitch, clip off any loose strands and you’re finished!
