Hems – The Sewing Garden

How To Fix A Ripped Hem

If the hem of your pants are frayed, torn or worn out, don’t throw them away! They might be athletic pants made of nylon, stretch knit pants, cotton dockers, or dress pants. Whatever the fabric, you might think they are not worth saving, but I want to teach you how to fix a ripped hem…

How to Hem a Kimono

By: Linda March 24, 2019February 7, 2021

Alterations, HemsAsian garments, cherry blossom, how to DIY a kimono, how to repair a vintage kimono, how to sew a Japanese kimono, how to sew a kimono, how to sew a robe, how to sew a silk kimono, how to sew a vintage kimono, how to shorten a kimono, Japanese kimono, Japanese robe, silk kimono, vintage kimonos10 Comments

One of my customers has more than 60 vintage kimonos in her closet. She loves them! Each one is so unique. Most of them are made from a solid colored pure silk fabric with gorgeous embroidery on them. This one is different. It is a multi colored fabric with no embroidery. Most of the kimonos…

How To Hem a Dress with Tulle or Netting

By: Linda June 20, 2018March 27, 2022

HemsBride's magazine, hemming a sheer dress, how to cut netting, How to cut tulle, how to DIY a net skirt, how to DIY a tulle skirt, how to hem a bridesmaid dress, how to hem a dress made out of netting, how to hem a prom dress with tulle or netting, how to hem a sheer skirt, how to hem a skirt made out of netting, how to hem a tulle dress, How to hem a tulle skirt, how to hem a wedding dress made of tulle or netting, Southern Weddings magazine26 Comments

Several of you have been wondering how to hem tulle. This post will explain how to hem either a dress or skirt made of tulle. Usually, I will get a dress from a customer that has the tulle only on the bottom of the dress. This time, I received an entire dress of tulle! It…

How to Replace a Jean or Pant Zipper

You know it’s time to replace a zipper when the teeth are missing or the zipper tab has pulled away from the teeth, like this one: It’s almost impossible to put the tab back on the track. (But if the slide has broken off and the zipper is still intact, you can always just replace…

How To Add Lining and Hem Your Drapes or Curtains

Finding drapes in the color, length and fabric you need is not an easy task, unless you get them custom made. But that is expensive. I found a set of drapes in the color and style I wanted, but the length was too long. Also, when I stood on the curb outside, they didn’t look good…

pattern showing several dresses with a tulle skirt, making a tulle skirt,

How to Make A Dress With A Tulle Skirt

By: Linda January 6, 2015February 23, 2021

Alterations, Bridal, Hemshow to alter a prom dress, how to alter a wedding dress, how to make a costume with netting or tulle, how to make a dress with netting, how to make a poofy skirt or dress, how to make a skirt with netting20 Comments

As you readers know, altering garments is my focus, not constructing them. But, I just got a great question from a reader and I would love your input in helping her. I’d love your thoughts on the tulle (netting) fabric. Do you have some tips on how to expedite the process and make that skirt…

How to Alter a Top With an Elastic Hem

By: Linda July 4, 2013February 15, 2021

Alterations, Hemscut off elastic from the bottom of a shirt, diy elastic hem removal, how to take out elastic diy, how to take the elastic off the bottom of a top, how to take the elastic out of a top9 Comments

You’ve seen these blouses everywhere: They’ve got elastic around the bottom edge of the top. Many women don’t like how they look when they wear them because they look poufy and make their hips look too big. When they don’t fit well, they pass up the idea of buying them because they think it will…

How To Hem Jeans Using The Original Hem

By: Linda January 4, 2011March 30, 2023

Alterations, Hemsbleached denim, denim, hemming, How to hem boot cut jeans, how to hem denim, how to hem jeans, how to hem jeans with the frayed edge, how to hem wide legged jeans, jeans, Levi's, stone wash, stonewashed38 Comments

So many of you have wondered how to hem your jeans by using the original rolled hem. I had never done this before as I hadn’t personally had any customers ask for it. Until now. My own daughter asked me to hem hers that way. So, who better to try a new technique on than…

Hem Stays

By: Linda November 12, 2010February 25, 2023

HemsChristmas, dress pants, dress slacks, How do you make a hem stay in place?, How to make hem stays, lining, What is a hem stay?8 Comments

For a long time, I used a six strand cord of embroidery floss to make my hem stays. Is that what they are called? Hem stays? I couldn’t think of a better term for them. They are the cords that keep the hem of dress pants and its lining from straying too far from each other.…

Rolled Hems…..Another Method

By: Linda June 28, 2010February 22, 2021

Basic Skills, Bridal, Hemshow to sew a hem on a bridal gown, how to sew a hem on a formal dress, how to sew a hem on a prom dress, how to sew a hem on a wedding dress, how to sew a hem on sheer fabric, how to sew a narrow hem, how to sew a rolled hem, how to sew a tiny hem, how to sew on see through fabric9 Comments

This is a fast and easy way to make a professional looking rolled hem on your wedding gown, formal dress, blouse or on an accessory like a scarf. In my first post on how to make a rolled hem, I used a rolled hem foot. This method doesn’t use a rolled hem foot. In fact,…