George Boyle
Hemming a wedding dress is a common step in the bridal alterations process, as most wedding gowns will need to be hemmed to fit the bride's height and chosen footwear. This guide will take you through the steps of hemming a wedding dress lining, from marking the hemline to cutting the fabric and sewing the hem. We will also discuss the considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the length of your wedding dress and the potential challenges of custom hem lengths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to hem a wedding dress | Hemming a wedding dress is a common step in the alterations process as most dresses will need to be hemmed to fit the bride's height. |
| Who can hem a wedding dress | A bridal consultant or bridal gown designer can help with alterations. |
| How to hem a wedding dress | Take off the dress and turn it inside out, then lay it flat. Mark the hemline every 4 inches (10 cm) and draw a parallel line 2 inches (5.1 cm) below to cut along. Cut the excess fabric, then fold the edge over 2 inches (5.1 cm) and tuck the raw edge under. Sew along the hemline and knot the thread. |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring the hem
To begin measuring the hem, you will first need to put on the wedding dress and determine the desired length. It is important to consider the height of the bride and the type of shoe she plans to wear on the wedding day. For brides of average height or shorter, the hem should be measured to ensure they do not trip on the extra fabric. For taller brides, the dress may already be the perfect height, but it is still important to measure and plan for alterations if needed.
Once the desired length is determined, take off the dress and lay it flat on a work surface with the inside facing up. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the current length of the hem, marking the fabric every 4 inches (10 cm) along the hemline. This will help ensure an even measurement all around. If you are struggling to mark an even hemline by yourself, you can ask a friend to help. Have the dress put back on inside out, and then mark the desired hemline.
After marking the hemline, the next step is to decide on the cutting line. Draw a parallel line about 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the hemline. This will be your cutting line, as it allows for a neat fold and ensures the finished hemline falls at the desired length. It is important to remember that you will be folding and sewing the bottom edge of the fabric up to the marked hemline. Failing to mark a lower cutting line will result in a higher hemline than intended.
Finally, use sharp scissors to carefully cut along the lower line you marked. This step should be skipped if you are only hemming an unfinished edge and do not need to shorten the dress. After cutting, you will be left with a raw edge that can be tucked under and folded up to the marked hemline. At this point, you can proceed with sewing the hem in place.
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Marking the fabric
To begin marking the fabric, you will first need to take off the dress and turn it inside out. Lay the dress flat on your work surface, ensuring it is smooth and free of any creases. Take a ruler or measuring tape and start measuring the desired length of the dress from the bottom up. Make small, precise marks along the hemline at regular intervals. The recommended distance between each mark is about 4 inches (10 cm). This will ensure that your hemline is straight and even.
After making the initial marks, take a ruler and align it with the marks you just made. Draw a straight line connecting these marks to create a clear guideline for your hemline. If you find it challenging to mark an even hemline by yourself, don't hesitate to enlist the help of a friend. Ask them to help you mark the line while you are wearing the dress inside out. This way, you can ensure the hemline is level and accurate.
The next step is to determine the cutting line. Using chalk, draw a parallel line about 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the hemline. This lower line is crucial as it indicates where you will actually cut the fabric. Remember, always cut along this lower line to ensure your finished hemline aligns with your desired length. Failing to mark this cutting line may result in a higher hemline than intended.
Once you have marked the cutting line, it's time to prepare for the next step. You will need to fold the fabric along this lower line, bringing the raw edge up to meet the hemline. Then, you will carefully fold under the raw edge, tucking it neatly into the fold. By creating this fold, you are not only hiding the raw edge but also ensuring a clean and polished finish for your hem.
Remember to take your time during the marking process and double-check all your measurements before cutting the fabric. Marking the fabric accurately is essential to achieving a professional-looking hem for your wedding dress lining.
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Cutting the fabric
To begin cutting the fabric of your wedding dress lining, you'll first want to take off the dress and turn it inside out. Lay it flat on a work surface, ensuring the inner lining is exposed. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure and mark the desired hemline. Make marks every 4 inches (10 cm) along the hemline. You can use chalk to draw a straight line across these marks.
If you're struggling to mark an even hemline, you can put the dress back on inside out and ask a friend to help you by marking the line while you're wearing it. This way, they can ensure the hemline is level all the way around. Once you have a clear guideline, draw another line about 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the hemline. This lower line will serve as a guide for cutting the fabric.
Using sharp scissors, carefully cut along the lower line you marked. This step requires precision, so take your time and consider using scissors dedicated solely to sewing projects, as using them on paper or cardboard can blunt the edges. After cutting, you can discard the excess fabric or keep it for future sewing projects.
If you need to shorten the dress further, consider taking about 2 inches off at the waist or higher, depending on the style of the dress. Remember, it's always better to cut less fabric first and then cut more if needed. You can always cut away more fabric, but you can't add it back, so proceed with caution.
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Folding the edge
To begin the process of hemming a wedding dress lining, you will need to take off the dress and turn it inside out. Lay the dress flat on your work surface and use a ruler or measuring tape to make marks every 4 inches (10 cm) along the hemline. You can then draw another line 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the hemline—this is the line you will cut along.
Now, for the folding:
First, fold the edge of the fabric over by 2 inches (5.1 cm) and tuck the raw edge under. This will ensure that the raw edge is hidden and that the bottom of the fabric lines up with the hemline that you marked. Next, you will need to fold the top 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) of the folded fabric under. This second fold will completely hide the raw edge, giving your hem a neat and professional finish.
Once you have made these folds, you can begin sewing along the hemline to secure the folded edge in place. It is recommended to use a needle and thread for this step, and to knot the thread securely at the beginning and end of your stitching. When you reach the seam where you started hemming, insert the needle and pull until a loop forms, then bring the needle through the loop to knot the thread. Repeat this process once more before trimming off any excess thread.
After you have folded, secured, and stitched the edge of the fabric, you can turn the dress right side out. Your hem is now complete, and the wedding dress lining should be neatly secured at the desired length.
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Sewing the hem
Hemming a wedding dress lining can be a tricky process, but with careful preparation and a steady hand, it can be done. Here is a step-by-step guide to sewing the hem of a wedding dress lining:
- Start by taking the dress off and turning it inside out. Lay it flat on a work surface, ensuring the lining is smooth and free of any creases. Use a ruler or measuring tape to determine the desired length of the lining, marking the hemline with chalk or fabric pencil. Make marks every 4 inches along the hemline to ensure it is straight and even.
- Once the hemline is marked, draw a second line about 2 inches below it. This lower line will be your cutting guide. It is important to leave this extra fabric to allow for a neat fold when hemming.
- Using sharp scissors, carefully cut along the lower line, removing the excess fabric. This step requires precision, so take your time and consider using fabric scissors to ensure a straight and clean cut.
- Now, you will create the fold for the hem. Take the raw edge of the fabric and bring it up so that the bottom of the fabric aligns with the hemline. This will create a neat fold of about 2 inches in height. Secure the fold with pins to hold it in place temporarily.
- With the fold in place, you will now tuck the raw edge under. Fold the top quarter inch of the folded fabric under, concealing the raw edge. This step ensures that the raw edge is hidden within the fold, creating a clean and polished finish.
- Finally, it's time to sew the hem. Using a needle and thread, carefully stitch along the folded edge of the fabric, securing the hem in place. Try to use small, neat stitches that match the colour of the fabric. Remove the pins as you sew, and tie off your thread securely when finished.
Remember, when hemming a wedding dress lining, it is crucial to work slowly and carefully to ensure a neat and precise finish. This process will help create a seamless and elegant look for your wedding dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses come in standard sizes, which include a standard length. Hemming a bridal gown is one of the most common steps in the alterations process as the majority of wedding gowns will need to be hemmed to fit a bride’s height.
For brides who are of average height or shorter, you will most likely need to have your bridal dress hemmed so you are not tripping on extra fabric as you walk down the aisle. For tall brides, the dress might be the perfect height, but you will still likely need a hem based on your height and the type of shoe you plan to wear.
Take off the dress and turn it inside out before laying it flat on your work surface. Lay a ruler or measuring tape on the dress and make marks every 4 inches (10 cm) along the hemline. Then, cut the excess fabric from the bottom of the dress if you're shortening the dress. Once you know how much fabric to remove, use scissors to carefully cut along the lower line you marked.
