How to Hem a Shirt Sleeve

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

Hemming a shirt sleeve is easy, economical and takes little time. This article has tips on hemming shirt sleeves and for sewing in general. As with all things, the following tips are for a basic shirt made from basic fabric. Finer fabrics such as sheers or velvets will require different hemming techniques than those given here. Check a sewing book for tips on how to sew these fabrics. The following information will work for most basic shirts or any other basic hemming project.

Steps

1
The following hemming tips will work for hemming sleeves or any other hemming project.
2
Buy a spool of thread. Take a scrap of fabric with you when you go to purchase the thread. Select a thread that closely matches the fabric scrap. If you do not have a fabric scrap, take the shirt with you to the store. Once again select a thread that closely matches the color of the fabric.

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3
Select a good, quality thread. Quality thread will be smooth and look fine. Poor quality thread is usually thick and coarse. Using a top quality thread will add extra polish to any project while adding durability. Also a quality thread is kinder to your sewing machine which means the sewing machine will have fewer problems with sewing tension.
4
Most sewing machines have standard settings you can use to blind hem. You can also use a straight stitch to hem. Select 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.5 cm) for sewing hems. This is the standard stitch length for almost all sewing projects.
5
Decide what type of hem that's needed. Most shirt sleeves can be hemmed using a turned-up hem. The following steps will guide you through sewing a turned up hem.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Turned-Up Hem

1
Mark the hem using a hemming gauge.
2
Turn up the hem and pin it to the fabric. Use sewing pins to pin up the hem. For fine fabrics be sure to use sharp fine pins to protect the fabric from developing holes.
3
Press the hem using lots of steam. Use a pressing cloth to protect delicate fabrics.
4
Turn the hem up again matching the turned up width, while removing the pins as you go, and pin the hem again to make a double-folded hem. Pin this hem.
5
Press the hem again. Remember to use a pressing cloth, if needed, to protect fine fabrics.
6
Hand sew using an invisible hemming stitch, or select the invisible hemming stitch on your sewing machine, or use a straight machine stitch to sew your sleeve hem in place.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Single Fold Hem with Edge Finish

1
Single fold hem. A single fold hem that has a zigzagged edge and is good for almost all types of fabrics. The hem is edge finished with a zigzag stitch, turned up, pressed and sewn with a catch stitch or a blind hemming stitch. This type of hem reduces bulk and works with most fabrics.
2
You could also serge the edge finish instead of the zigzag stitch.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Lettuce Edge

1
Sew a lettuce edge hem. Sewing a lettuce edge hem works very well for knits or lingerie. You can either turn up a small (3/8-inch) hem and sew a zigzag stitch or use the zigzag stitch as the only hem. The sleeve will be edge finished with the zigzag stitch. When the hem is finished it will be wavy and look like a frilly lettuce leaf. This hem is good for feminine clothing and is a quick hemming finish. You could also serge edge the hem and, in fact, the serger does a better job than the sewing machine when sewing this hem.
2
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I finish the low edge of a short sleeve?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

A fast finished edge to a sleeve is to add lace. Fabric and craft stores carry dollar deals on lace spools. They are 3 - 4 yards (2.74 - 3.66 meters), depending on the width of the lace. Decorative stitching with embroidery thread is another option. Use a machine decorative stitch if your sewing machine has that option. A simple zigzag stitch with varied width and length can provide a fun edging.
Question

What are some ways of finishing a long sleeved shirt?

Egodrpaicr

Community Answer

Hemming a long sleeve shirt should work the same way as hemming a short sleeved one. As long as you measure to the length you want, the techniques would likely work the same.

Things You'll Need

Sewing pins
Sewing needles either hand or machine
Hemming gauge
Thread
Iron
Ironing board
Sleeve board is nice as you can fit those tiny sleeves when it comes to pressing
Pressing cloth for fine fabrics

Warnings

Use caution when operating a sewing machine.

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Use caution when ironing the sleeve.

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