• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
    • Sewing Tools
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Cricut
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Pattern Shop
  • Sewing
  • Sewing Projects
  • Crochet
  • Knitting
  • Crafts
×

Home » Sewing » Sewing Techniques

LETTUCE HEM | How to Sew a Lettuce Hem

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print

A lettuce hem gives an attractive edge finish to your stretch fabric projects. It is not hard to work out where it got its name from, is it? The edge looks a little like the crinkly edge of lettuce. Traditionally this hemming technique is done on a serger but it can be easily and quickly sewn on your regular machine with a simple zig-zag stitch. Once you practice a few times you won't be able to tell much difference between a serged and zig-zag lettuce hem.

lettuce hem
Lettuce Hem

Contents

  • Lettuce Hem - On Your Machine
    • Fabrics to Use
    • Which Edge to Hem
    • How to Sew Stretch Fabric
  • How to Sew a Lettuce Hem
    • Step 1 - Roll the edge
    • Step 2 - Stitch the Lettuce Hem
    • Step 3 - Relax the Fabric
    • Alternatives to Lettuce Hem
  • Lettuce Hem - In Conclusion
  • MORE STRETCH FABRIC ARTICLES

Lettuce Hem - On Your Machine

Fabrics to Use

A lettuce hem only works on stretch fabrics. This is an important factor. Stretch fabric stretches out along a cut edge whereas a woven fabric will not.

You will get the best results from stretch fabrics that are thinner and have a tendency to curl up.

See how my Riley Blake spot fabric is already curling at the edges? This is the kind of fabric that is perfect for a lettuce hem. It is a thinner stretch fabric that has a small percentage of Lycra giving it good recovery factor. This means that when you stretch it, the fabric quickly goes back into shape.

Stretch fabrics that are thick or only have a small amount of stretch factor will not work.

Which Edge to Hem

Make sure you are hemming an edge with the greatest stretch. Most stretch sewing patterns have the greatest amount of stretch going around the body so this should be no problem for most projects.

Check the Direction of Stretch

How to Sew Stretch Fabric

If you haven't already read my article on how to sew stretch fabric, I suggest you do so before you start. There are a couple of things you will need including a stretch needle and a strong thread.

I always sew stretch fabric with my Teflon foot. This coated foot glides over stretch and prevents pulling and uneven stitches.

Further Reading:

  • Sewing Machine Needle Sizes & Types,
  • Sewing Thread Types

How to Sew a Lettuce Hem

First, test a scrap of fabric to get your stitch length and technique correct. You don't want to start on your finished project until you have had practice.

Step 1 - Roll the edge

Put the fabric under your presser foot with the raw edge rolled over once by ⅛ inch (3mm). If your fabric curls this will be really easy. Just use your fingers to roll it over, there is no need to iron it.

It doesn't matter if the fabric is right or wrong side up as the zig-zag stitches will hide the edge. While saying this, I must admit that I prefer sewing right side up just so I can double-check that it all looks neat.

Another tip is to just go with the direction of the natural curl. My fabric wanted to roll over on the right side so I placed it right side up.

lettuce hem with machine
Roll the Edge

Step 2 - Stitch the Lettuce Hem

Put your zig-zag stitch settings on a width of around 5.0 and length between 0.2-0.5. Your machine may have an applique satin stitch that will work perfectly too.

Lettuce Hem Stitch Settings - Width 5.0 Length 0.5

Stretch out the fabric as far as it will go holding it both in front and behind while maintaining the small folded edge. The zig-zag will go off the edge and over the fold.

Zig-Zag while Stretching

Step 3 - Relax the Fabric

When you have finished, give the fabric a little time to relax back into shape. See what a pretty lettuce hem this gives.

lettuce hem
How to Sew a Lettuce Hem

Alternatives to Lettuce Hem

Your only alternatives to a lettuce hem are to do a folded hem or to leave the hem raw.

While stretch fabric does not fray, leaving the hem raw can mean it curls up much shorter than you intend and may result in runs in the fabric.

A folded hem is a neat alternative to a lettuce hem. Press the raw edge up once on the wrong side and then zig-zag over it catching in the edge. For thin fabrics that wrinkle, a bit of hemming tape can give much-needed stability.

Alternative to Lettuce Hems - Regular Folded Hem
Alternative to Lettuce Hems - Regular Folded Hem

Lettuce Hem - In Conclusion

Now you know how to sew a lettuce hem you can make all kinds of interesting clothing. See the articles below to learn more about stretch fabric sewing.

MORE STRETCH FABRIC ARTICLES

  1. Sewing Stretch Fabric without a Serger
  2. Types of Knit Fabric
  3. How to Sew Fold Over Elastic
  4. Stretch Factor of Fabrics
  5. How to Gather Knit Fabric
  6. Sewing Stretch Fabric Hems
  7. How to use a Serger
  8. How to Sew with a Twin Needle
  9. Tricot Stitch
  10. Knit Binding
  11. Twin Needle
  12. Lettuce Hem
4.8/5 - (32 votes)

More Sewing Techniques

  • Sewing Basics & Skills for Beginners - Start Sewing Now!
  • What is Stitching? Hand & Machine Stitching Crafts
  • SEAM ALLOWANCE | How to Add & Sew
  • What is Sewing, What Should I Sew, Hand Sewing Meaning & Inspiration

Bestselling Sewing Patterns

  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern
  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CK

    April 30, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Concise and easy to follow instructions!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Newsletter

loader

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.