How to Sew a ROUND HEM {Curved Hem} 4 Easy Ways

Sooner or later once you start sewing, you will need to sew a round hem. Circle and flared skirts are flattering and fun to make and many blouse patterns have a gently curved bottom hem. Don't be daunted! Here are 4 easy ways how to sew a round hem.

How to Sew a Round Hem - Circular Hems

There are 4 main ways to sew a narrow round hem. Use method 2 or 3 if you have a serger and methods 1 and 4 if you only have a regular sewing machine.

1. Bias tape - Best for thicker fabrics such as wool.
2. Serger with single folded hem - Best for fine fabrics that can't be easily pressed eg. polyester.
3. Serger with double folded hem - Best for fine fabrics that can be pressed eg. cotton voile.
4. Double folded hem with a regular sewing machine - Great for fine fabrics that can be pressed eg. cotton voile or silk.
5. Wide round hems - Ideal for circle skirts.

I will also show you how to sew a wide hem that is circular or rounded but this is a method best left to more experienced sewers. Beginners should use one of the narrow hem styles above.

• How to Make a Circle Skirt
• Circle Skirt Calculator

1. Round Hem with Bias Tape

This method uses ½ inch (12mm) wide double-fold bias and creates an attractive hem on all shapes of curved hems. I used a contrast bias but you will get the best results by using a matching colored bias to your dress or skirt and matching thread.

Further Reading: How to make bias tape, Continuous bias tape

How to Sew a Round Hem without Puckering:

1. Start by opening up one side of your bias and pinning it along the raw edge with the right sides together. Straight stitch the bias in the crease. This will be approximately ¼ inch (6mm) from the edge.
2. Press the bias to the inside of your garment. The seam will be right on the edge. Pin.
3. On the wrong side, stitch around the bias tape close to the top folded edge.

2. Round Hem with Serging

You will often see store-bought garments with this finish on circular hems because it is one of the fastest methods and always gives good results. The only time I don’t like to use it is on sheer fabrics where the serging will show through to the right side.

1. Serger around the circular edge of the fabric cutting off some of the seam allowances if necessary.
2. Then press the edge up just one and stitch it in place on top of the overlocking stitch.
3. You will see just a single line of stitching on the right side of the fabric.

All done! If you have a serger then this is definitely the easiest of all the methods of creating round hems.

3. Round Hem with Serging & Folding

This is a great narrow hemming method that also works for gently curved circular hems.

1. Serger the raw edge of your skirt or dress.
2. Press up the overlocked edge by the width of the stitches. Straight stitch along the bottom folded edge.
3. Press the hem up again by the same amount and stitch on top of your row of stitches.

4. Round Hem with a Narrow Hem

This method is best for gently curved hems where you just have a regular sewing machine.

1. Straight stitch around the circular hem ¼ inch (6mm) from the edge.
2. Press up the hem along the stitched seam. The stitching forms a perforation in the fabric and helps you press it accurately.
3. Then press the hem up again by the same amount. Stitch along the upper folded edge.

5. How to Sew a Wide Round Hem

Creating a wide circular hem is a little trickier and probably best left to intermediate to experienced sewers.

1. With a long gathering stitch length, sew around your hem close to the raw edge. Gathering stitches should have a length of at least 4.0.
2. Pull the bobbin threads to gather the edge slightly.

Step 3: Then finish the hem with bias tape. See the full tutorial on how to create a wide hem with bias tape.

Tips for Sewing Round Hems

Regardless of the method, you have used to sew your round hem, always finish by giving it a good press.

Even if you have pressed during the construction process, a final press will help set your circular hem even flatter.

More Hem Articles

1. GENERAL HEMS – How to Sew a Hem (This is the best article to read if you are not sure what kind of hem you need. It gives a rundown of all the most common types)
2. NARROW HEMS – Sew a Narrow Hem
3. ROLLED HEM FOOT – How to Use a Rolled Hem Foot
4. WIDE HEMS – How to Sew Wide Hems
5. CIRCULAR HEMS – How to Sew Round Hems
6. BLIND HEMS – How to Sew a Blind Hem
7. RUFFLED HEMS – Lettuce Hems
8. KNIT FABRIC HEMS – How to Hem Knit Fabric, Catch Stitch
9. KNIT HEMS – Twin Needle
10. SQUARE HEMS – How to Sew Mitered Corners
11. HAND HEMS – Hemming Stitch
12. NO SEW HEMS - How to Use Hemming Tape
13. SIMPLE HEMS - Single Fold Hems
14. DOUBLE HEMS - Double Fold Hems
15. BIAS - Bias Tape Hems
16. SCALLOPS - Scalloped Edges
17. INVISIBLE HEMS - Blind Hem Stitch

Hems on Clothing

1. Hemming a Dress
2. Hem a Skirt
3. Hemming Pants