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Home » Sewing » Sewing Techniques

How to Sew a Narrow Hem | 3 Easiest Ways

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A narrow hem (also called rolled hems) is a great hemming method for circular shapes and fine fabrics such as silks and chiffon. Here I will show you 3 easy methods for learning how to sew a narrow hem.

how to sew a narrow hem, narrow hems
How to Sew a Narrow Hem

Contents

  • How to Sew a Narrow Hem
    • Method 1 - Narrow Hem With a Serger
    • Method 2 - Narrow Hem With a Sewing Machine
    • Method 3 - Narrow Hem with a Hemmer Foot
  • How to Sew a Narrow Hem - In Conclusion
  • Related - How to Sew Mores Hems

How to Sew a Narrow Hem

Method 1 - Narrow Hem With a Serger

Stitch around your hem with your serger, only cutting off a minimum amount from the edge. If your hem is curved you can adjust your differential feed so it gathers very slightly. This will help ease in the curve when you turn the hem up in the next step.

Alternative: If you don’t have a serger you can use the overcast stitch function on your regular sewing machine. This gives a similar result but doesn't cut the edge before sewing.

narrow hem with serger
Serger the raw edge

Fold the hem to the wrong side at the width of your stitches. You could press it over before stitching but I find it easier to just fold and stitch. Stitch with a straight stitch close to the folded edge.

narrow hem with serger
Fold the serged edge and stitch

Turn the edge over again and stitch on top of the first row of stitching. Give your edge a good press and you will see how accurate a hem this method gives.

narrow hem
Fold again and stitch

Method 2 - Narrow Hem With a Sewing Machine

This method of creating a narrow hem creates great results with no special tools or machine feet.

Press up the edge by ⅜ inch (1cm) and stitch close to the bottom folded edge. Try and stitch as close to the edge as you can.

How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine
How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine

Trim close to the stitching line. You will need a small sharp pair of scissors as larger scissors can be hard to get close enough.

How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine
How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine

Fold over the hem again creating a ⅛ inch (3mm) hem. (Or as close to that as you can.) Stitch over your first row of stitching. Give it all a good press and you are all done!

How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine
How to Sew a Narrow Hem with a Regular Machine

Method 3 - Narrow Hem with a Hemmer Foot

The third method of sewing a narrow hem is to use a rolled hem foot (sometimes called a hemmer foot or narrow hem foot). This foot has a special curved channel that folds the hem and sews at the same time, eliminating the need for pressing or extra rows of stitching. I have a whole tutorial on how to use this foot. It is not hard to use but there are a few extra steps to get started.

READ: Rolled Hem Foot

Narrow Hem with a Rolled Hem Foot
Narrow Hem with a Rolled Hem Foot

How to Sew a Narrow Hem - In Conclusion

You now know 3 easy methods for sewing a narrow hem. My favorite is the serger method. What are you planning on using your narrow rolled hem for? If you have any extra tips for us, please share.

Related - How to Sew Mores Hems

  1. GENERAL HEMS – How to Sew a Hem
  2. NARROW HEMS – How to 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 circular hems
  6. BLIND HEMS – How to sew a blind hem | blind hem foot
  7. RUFFLED HEMS – Lettuce hems
  8. KNIT FABRIC HEMS – How to hem knit fabric and twin needles
  9. KNIT HEMS – Twin Needle
  10. SQUARE HEMS – How to Sew Mitered Corners
  11. HAND HEMS - How to sew catch Stitch and Hemming stitch
  12. SCALLOPED HEMS - Sewing scallops
  13. DOUBLE HEMS - Double fold hems
  14. SINGLE HEMS - Single fold hems
  15. HAND HEMS - Hemming Stitch
4.8/5 - (40 votes)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz

    July 01, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    I llike to sew a gathering stitch a quarter inch from the cut edge -useful if you need to gather slightly for a curved hem - then use this as a guide to make the first fold. Fold up again and stitch close to the top fold.

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