How to Shorten and Hem a Knit Shirt (or dress, or even pants) | The Daily Sew
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- Shortening and hemming knit garments on a regular sewing machine can be a little trickier than woven fabrics but once you know what stitch to use, and maybe even stabilizer, it’s easy to do and easy to get a good looking hem.
This video talks about how to get an even hem, two different helpful stabilizers, how to hem without stabilizers, and what stitch is best for stretchy fabrics.
Please leave any questions in the comments below and I’ll be sure to answer.
Let's Be Friends: / dailysew
Instagram: @TheDailySew
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
Filming by Mars Sigler. Thank you - Навчання та стиль
I have just found your tutorials because I was looking for help in shortening a tshirt. After watching 3 useless videos, I found you and now feel confident to work with my tshirt. Thank you for clearly teaching me and your other viewers. I am now going to be a regular viewer. You’re good!
thank you SO much. I'm glad the video showed you what you wanted to know. But if you have any questions put them here ;-)
Same! I totally agree 👍🏼
VERY informative! You included needle suggestions and stitch width and length too! A lot of the videos I’ve watched are, for some reason, not keen on giving these suggestions. I appreciated your helpful video even more because of this. And thank you for showing the different styles of hem tape and methods. Thanks!
Thank you. This is good feedback for me. Those details, like needle type, are important to a project turning out. I want to include all the basics without talking down to anyone who already knows some basics. I figure mentioning things like needle type is a good reminder to those folks, right? ;-)
🎉 Just hemmed my tshirt!!!! I followed your video - play, sew, play, rewind, breathe & sew some more. I did a double row & no pucker. I used the narrow hem product. I'm so grateful to you! Now to tackle ALLLL the many tshirts that need it as I'm short. Awesome video. THANK YOU! Nancy DFW Texas 💕
I'm so happy that you had success and for sharing with me. I love your description - especially the "breathe" 😆at least you didn't mention you had to use the seam ripper. Thank you so much for watching and for the feedback.
Thank you so much. You are a great teacher and very easy to follow. I'm a lot smarter than I was 15 minutes ago!!!
:-) I love it when I can be a little smarter than I was. Thank you!
I like her she's easy to understand and seems respectful :)
Thanks so much for this video. I've tried several methods for hemming knit and only hand sewing which is so time consuming left a smooth line. But your method of stabilizing the knit and using a long, narrow zigzag works beautifully. I just hemmed a t shirt in a few minutes.
oh, that's great to hear. Thank you
Thank you! I have a lot of shirts I want to crop and I am learning how to use my grandmas super old sewing machine. This was helpful!
That's great to hear. The older machines are (usually) so well built. If it starts giving you trouble it's probably not the age of it but that it just needs a professional cleaning. I also have a bunch of shirts I want to shorten - gotta make the time to do it ;-)
You are a lifesaver! I used the wonder tape, sew it with the stitch you suggested and it worked wonderfully! Thanks so much for sharing.
Yay! Glad you had success and very happy I could help. Thanks for letting me know
This was so helpful, looking to turn some of my old t shirts into crop tops this summer and this explained so well!
Thank you! This is such a thorough and thoughtful tutorial. This is going to help me a million times over.
Thank you 😊
Wow! You are the awesomest teacher. You cover everything! Thanks.
Wow, thank you very much. 😊
Thank you so much! I followed your steps exactly and my shirt turned out awesome!
That's really great to hear. Thank you for telling me :-)
Wonderful video! Your instructions were easy to follow and I had no problems cropping my shirt and will do many more. Thank you for posting.
Thanks, and thanks for letting me know. I'm glad you had success.
Thank you! I followed your directions and used the two sided tape to hem three shirts. They all turned out great!
That's great. I'm so glad you got good results and now have 3 shirts in the right length. I need to follow your lead and shortened my Ts.
Thank you. I saw your video months ago and finally got around to shortening three of my T-shirts. I have one more to go for now.
I meant to tell you earlier Great Job on getting your shirts altered. I find it such a good feeling to get items done, out of my mending basket and back into my closet. Of course, I struggle doing my mending and alterations, so I really admire that you did it. Inspiring!
Thank you so much! I've been watching several other videos and yours is absolutely the best! I feel ready to hem a bunch of tees now. I have a 39 year old Singer so I appreciate that you used a basic machine. Thanks for all the product ideas. I haven't sewn for a while so wasn't even aware of those cool products! I was making a list for new needles, wonder tape etc. while you demonstrated. :)
Thank you! Yes, they keep making gadgets and products - it's hard to keep up. But I really like that wonder tape. I forgot to say in the video it doesn't gunk up the needle either - that's nice. Enjoy updating your shirts
Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!
Thank you so much! I’ve lost a lot of weight and have some tshirts I still love. I can continue loving them!
Yes! This is great. I want everyone to be able to have their clothes fit like they want them to fit. Thanks for letting me know :-)
I just shortened a t shirt five inches. I used you video step by step and it turned out great! I kept waiting for something to go wrong but it never did 😅. THANK YOU!
oh that's great! Thanks for letting me know and thanks for watching the video. You're going to get a lot more use out of that t-shirt now - and that's great too
Love this easy to understand video, you are a great teacher.
Ah, thanks so much.
Sincere thanks for this video! I have mucked around for YEARS trying to sew a decent hem in t shirt knits. I thought I needed a serger, but I really just needed this video. THANK YOU!
Yes! You do not need a serger! (However, if you sew a lot of knits I recommend a Juki Seger #MO-654DE .. I got it on Amazon for $300-ish dollars (I do sew almost everyday) and it's great. Easy to thread, never lets me down)
Thank you for this very informative tutorial. I bought the wash away tape and followed your instructions, managing to easily shorten 3 stretchy t shirts that were too long.
this is great - Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you so much for this tutorial!! I have never sewn on knits before and I was so intimidated. I just bought 13 t-shirts that I must shorten and now I feel like I can really do it! Your information was so professionally presented and so clear to understand. I would not have to look at another video, you said it all! I look forward to other videos too!
Thank you very much. That’s a lot of shirts to shorten but then you’ll be set. - and you’ll get better with each shirt so don’t start with your favorite 😉
thank you!! all of the other tutorials i was looking at required you to have a twin needle which i didn’t. this is a lot simpler and seems just as good!
Thanks. It is simpler than a twin needle- especially if you have to rig up a second spool holder for your machine 😉. That said I’m going to try a twin needle soon. When I work out the kinks it will be a video
Thank you thank you for this tutorial!! This was my first foray into sewing knit tee-shirt material, and with a combo of wonder tape and luck, I had no waviness or skipped stitches!
Thank you. I’m so glad you had success with your shirt!
Thank you so much for this tutorial as I just bought two really cute knit summer dresses that need hemming to fit my 5’1” height!
It would be so nice if more clothes were offered in petite and tall sizes. I'm glad you're going to able to adjust the length on your dresses and super glad I could help ;-)
Your presentation style is the best! Thank you👏🏼
Thanks!
Thank you so much! I appreciated the calm and gentle manner with which you teach! Just hemmed my v neck t- shirt with the help of your tutorial. Came out great!
That's great to hear, Thank you. I have quite a few shirts needing to be shortened, just need the inspiration to do it ;-)
Excellent instructions! Thank you so much for for such a great video! ❤
Thank you very much. I'm glad you found it helpful
your personality really comes through, and very informative, thanks!
Thanks! (I hope it's a "good" personality ) ;-)
Excellent tutorial! Extremely well demonstrated & well explained!
Thank you. You know what I like to hear ;-)
Thanks so much for this step by step procedure on how to hem a t-shirt.
You're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful.
I thoroughly enjoyed your video. I shortened 2 tshirts after watching and they turned out perfectly. I used a double needle and polyester thread though because the stretch thread was skipping stitches. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm glad your shirts turned out without much pain ;-)
Thank you for your detailed and clear instructions. My attempts at hemming ti-shirts have been unsuccessful but I was using a straight stitch. I never considered using a zig zag stitch. I am going to give that a try.
It works. I know some folks don't like the look of the zig-zag stitch but if you make it narrow it's not that noticeably different from a straight stitch. good luck! and thanks for watching the video
Very helpful and detailed demonstration!
Thanks! That was my aim so I'm happy! :-)
I loved this video. It was so informative with clear and step by step instructions. Thank you for making this video.
I love this comment 😆 thank you and glad it helped
Fantastic tutorial! I have been looking for a clear, concise tutorial and I hit the jackpot with yours! Thank you so much.
Thank you - clear and concise is my goal.
I love your videos. They are so helpful and well done, and I plan to use your instructions to shorten some of my knit tops. Thank you! (Pat on Palomar)
Thanks! (Haven't been to Palomar in a while but hopefully, I'll be there soon)
Perfect and very accurate job 👍
Thank you so much for making this tutorial. You present in a very understandable way. I am going to practice on a couple of old t shirts before I cut the shirt I really want hemmed. 😊
Thank you. I had to shorten one of my T-shirts yesterday . I almost couldn't be bothered but then I realized I'll like it more, and wear it more if it was 3" shorter - so it is now. Worth the time.
Thank you! Very clear and helpful.
Thanks so much! I wear size medium shirts but I am a smaller guy! I just got new shirts and they were longer than I like. This is great! thanks so much!!!
Thanks. It’s crazy how long some shirts come 😁
Good and thorough job, well done!
Thank you very much :-)
Fantastic job ❤
Thank you so much for this video! So many good hints that I didn't know. I've struggled for years trying to hem a t-shirt and make it look right:( I'm hopeful I can do it correctly now:)
You can! Try on the scrap you cut off first just to be sure your machine stitch is correct for that particular shirt's fabric. No pressure ;-)
So happy to see.
Thank you! You are a wonderful instructor!
thank you
Thank you sew much! I easily shortened 2 shirts. Now for the rest of them! Short people problems…lol
ha! For awhile there all the shirts were made so long. Thanks for watching
Really clear instructions. Thank you.
Thanks :-)
this is so helpful, thank you!
Thank you for letting me know. It's nice to hear :-)
Oh my gosh, you explained everything so clearly.
thanks! That's my goal so it's nice to know ;-)
Wow I learned a lots from your video, thank you!
I'm so glad I could help. Thanks for watching
Great video ! 👍🏼 very helpful and informative. Thank you
thank you! I'm glad it was helpful
Excellent tutorial. Thank you for posting.
thanks for letting me know 🙂
I’ve used a walking door a pin tuck foot and it works for me zig zag is a must I prefer that then a twin needle. Stay tape is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
oh, I'm going to try a pin tuck foot. Thanks for the suggestion
Excellent video. Thanks a lot for all the information provided. Now you have a new subscripter from Spain.
I'm glad you found the video helpful and very happy you subscribed. Thank you
Wow, Wonder Tape for the win!
Yes! I use it for all my knit hems.
This is great. Fixing the length of 3 t-shirts tomorrow!
Thanks. It's so nice to have your clothes fit the way you want.
Thank you for this very thorough and informative video.
Thanks. I hope it helps
Thank you so much for this! Will try it out soon ❤️
Thanks for watching. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Great information and exactly what I needed!
I love hearing this. Thank you
Thank you so much ,its amazing the way you explain the lessons .❤Im from SriLanka.
thank you and thank you for watching the video
This is a great tutorial about hemming
Lani Talavera thank you
Thank you! I’m going to follow your guidelines. 🌸❤️🌸
Thanks for watching ;-)
This is so helpful thank you!
Yay! So nice to hear that you found it helpful.
Very helpful video, thankyou.
Thank you. Very well laid out.
Thank you
So helpful, thank you!
You're welcome. I'm always glad I can help with sewing.
this was SO helpful. I’m short and have a long knit dress that needs to be shortened. The good thing is that it’s SO long that if I don’t like the first attempt, I can try it again a little shorter, LOL! Thanks so so much for the details and the great tip of lifting the foot and pushing the fabric back. The pushed puckering is my number one concern and this tip should considerably help. Thanks! Fingers crossed. :0)
Yes, fingers crossed but You totally got this - just take your time.
Great video. Thanks!
Thanks
Very helpful, thank you. Mary
You're welcome :-) I'm so glad you find it helpful.
Thank you soooo much for this! I only wish there was no music because I get migraines easily. Hope to see some with just your voice in the future :) thank you
Thanks for the feedback :-)
Thank you very much. So helpful!
Thanks 😊
Very good tips.
Thanks
I really like the video! Thank you!
Thank you. And thanks for watching
Thank you for this I have shorten my t shirt and sleeve
Clever to shorten your sleeves too. Sometimes they just hit in an awkward place and need to be permanently shortened. Rolling them up never stays up.
Thank you so much for this very clear informative video. I have two new knit dresses that my 90 year old mum is desperate to wear, but I've been too afraid to tackle the hems on my normal sewing machine. Off to the haberdashery first thing tomorrow. Thank you!
Awesome! You got this!
Me too almost same situation!! My husband has a sports shirt that needs the arms length taken up. I am afraid to ruin the shirt. Love your calm, easy-going instructions. Perfect video, thank you so much!
Watch a few videos, and I appreciate your step by step with confidence 🌟
verrrrrry helpful
Thanks so much! I just bought two Knit and Stable from the Fat Quarter Shop for less than $14 (including shipping).
I think you'll like using it. It really made the knit easier to sew - kept things smooth and in place.
Thank you. I just finished off some knit pants and hemming them was really tricky due to the side seams not wanting to cooperate.
I hoped the video helped you figure out the side seams. Sometimes, you just got to be heavy-handed with fabric ;-)
Thank you 😊
Very good video. I enjoyed your instruction and the pace of your video was great. I appreciated you mentioning the weight of the needles to use on knit fabrics as I am always wondering if I am using the correct needle for the fabrics I am sewing. No one ever mentions about the type of the needle that you should use.
Ha! That’s really true about the needles. I’m glad the video was helpful and thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it
Thanks!
Great video. Thank you. So informative and your step by step instructions are perfection!. I just purchased about 10 cheapy tank tops for the upcoming summer and they’re all waaaaay too long so this method will be great. One question: when you wash the top after altering it and the washable tape is gone will the hem be stretchy? I just did 3 and they’re not stretching but I’m hoping one the tape is washed away the zig zag stitch will work… thanks!
I just checked the shirt I hemmed and the stitches are not as stretchy as the fabric but there is some give. So, the stitches, well, the thread that forms the stitches will not stretch. That's why if you sewed with a straight stitch and didn't alternate gently stretching the fabric and letting it relax as you sewed - you have NO stretch. The stitches constrict the fabric and it cannot stretch. The wobble stitch - the narrow zigzag - allows a little stretch.
If your tanks are ribbed or have a lot of stretch in them (like some % of elasticine) they are probably cut narrower than a regular T and depend on using that extra stretch to put on/take off (because the fabric can stretch so much more than plain cotton jersey). So... I don't know off hand the best approach. But if this is what you are hemming write back and I will do a little research.
Thank you!
you're welcome
thank u!
This tutorial was so easy to follow along with! Thanks so much! ✨
Thank you.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for watching!
Amazing lady.
thanks
What a helpful video! Thank you! Maybe I missed it, can you tell me why you sew the seam on the right side?
I sew on the right side of a garment because for 32 years I had a basic sewing machine and the stitches formed by the bobbin were never as good looking as the stitches formed by the needle. I think this was true for a lot of machines made 40 years ago. But now, most machines, even basic machines, probably have better mechanics and make lovely stitches on both sides. Check your stitches and if you like how they look on the back then you can sew with the underside up ;-). Short answer: habit 😆
Thank you for this video. You demonstrate in a very clear and concise way. Excellent! Do you have recommendations for shortening a curved hem shirt, where the front and back are longer than at the sides?
If you want to keep the shape of the original hemline, Just measure up from the bottom however many inches/cms you want to shorten it, all around. And here is where you could shorten it more in the front than in the back and vise versa. Hemming a curve takes a little more patience and you will have extra fabric to sew down because the outer edge of a curve is larger than inside it. So a curved hem allowance will be longer and you may have little puckers, on the inside of the shirt because of gathering up and sewing down that extra bit of fabric.
Thank you for this :))
You're welcome. Thanks for watching :-)
Amazing channel title, that is hilarious
Thank you for this. I just wondered if a walking foot would prevent the fabric being pushed by the presser foot?
A walking foot is great for sewing knits. I use one when sewing T-shirts. I didn't mention using a walking foot in the video since they are usually a separate accessory from the machine and can be pricey. But if you have one, yes, use it. Test first because different weights of knits will move differently under the foot. If sewing super thin knit you may want to place a strip of tissue paper under the fabric where you're sewing. The paper will keep the feed even. Tear it away from the stitches when done. (so use white or unbleached to prevent color transfer onto your fabric).
Thank you for this tutorial! I would like to point out that the width and length settings will vary depending on machine. My Pfaff settings are 2.0 width and 3.0 length.
Very true.
Tried your method, and spent more time trying to remove the backing from the tape than I did sewing. It was totally frustrating. But, my tee came out great. Next time I will use the fusable tape that does not have a backing!!
Sorry for the tape frustration - but glad you got good results for your T-shirt.
Thank you!!!!!! I have a lot of shirts I love but I don't wear them because they're too long.
I hope you find shortening them easy.
Great video! Could you do this same technique with a double needle.?
Yes, I don’t see why not. Of course, you’ll do a straight stitch 😉 but I think using the fusible will add stabilization to keep the fabric flat between the two rows of stitches. If you do it let us know how it goes.
Such a helpful video! And thank you for not assuming we all have sergers. I do have one question. In the final step when you sewed the hem up, did you use a straight stitch or a zigzag?
Thank you. I used a zigzag stitch but a very narrow and elongated zigzag. On my machine I set it to 1.5 wide and 2.5 long
Thanks for this video. It was easy to follow and informative. I'm very new (brand new) to sewing and would like to get started with shortening a lot (almost all) of my t shirts and knit shirts. Can you recommend a sewing machine? I literally only know two brands: Singer and Brother.
I'm glad you like the video. It's really nice to get your clothes to fit how you want them to fit. As far as a sewing machine goes I think either Brother or Singer are fine just remember at the lower price point you get what you pay for. If you go super cheap you may have some hiccups with the machine. But if you're just trying sewing out a bargain machine might be a good introduction. You can upgrade later ;-)
When you're ready to get serious about a machine consider how often you're likely to sew. If you want to sew more then look for a machine that has a few extras for the type of sewing you want to do - garment sewing, quilting, upholstery work, stuff like that.
Really all you need is a machine that doesn't shake when you use it, has a good straight stitch (doesn't skip stitches), a zig-zag if you're going to sew on knit fabric, and a reverse stitch is nice. Most home machines have all these stitches. Other extras would be how many presser feet it comes with or how much the feet cost if sold separately.
It's really great if you can try the machine out at the store. (You don't have to buy from that store but most stores offer free intro lessons if you buy the machine from them) Also don't rule out used machines from an individual. Just check that they still make parts for that machine (Bernina does not make parts for their 1970's machines) and then get the used machine professionally cleaned and oiled if the owner can't recall when that was last done.
All that said, a few of my beginner students have had Brother machines, nothing too old or expensive, and they've worked really well. I hope that helps. Good luck finding your future friend ;-) (I'm on my 3rd machine in 35+ years of sewing. My first was a low-end Singer. Then I upgraded to a New Home (now called Janome) and now a Bernina. I'm still not certain the Bernina was worth the price but I do use it almost daily and it is a good machine)
@@TheDailySew Thanks for your advice. I subscribrd to your channel and look forward to learning a lot from your videos!