TALKING OF HEMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19763, 19 December 1935, Page 14

TALKING OF HEMS.

When you are hemming the childsummer frocks, make the skirts from one to two inches longer than required, and machine-hem the edge in the ordinary way. Then turn up a second hem to make the skirt the right length, and stitch it by hand. When you want to let it down you have only to unpick the second hem and the frock is ready to wear again in a moment.

When making a skirt hem, first machine a very narrow single turning along the raw edge, stitching close to the fold. Measure the length and turn up the hem to the required depth. Tack it firmly just above the folded edge. Then tack the prepared edge and fell it down. The first tacking will prevent your hem from twisting. When hemming down the inner edge of a bind be very careful to sew just along the line of stitching which seamed the bind to the right side of your material. This prevents any of the stitches from showing through at the right side. When hemming sheets allow two inches for the top turning and one inch for the bottom edge. Tablecloths and napkins should have quite narrow hems, but afternoon teacloths should be wider, especially when hemstitched. The Way with Frills. When hemming frills for a summer frock a single turning is sufficient. Press in a very narrow turning, place your frill under the foot of your sew- | ing machine right side upwards, and machine close to the folded edge. Trim the turning afterwards. When you want a double narrow hem make it in two stages. First stitch a single hem as described for frills, then turn this over on itself and machine again along the centre of the hem—-from the right side again, of course.

When hemming net or muslin curtains, allow generous lower turnings, for your curtains arc very likely to shrink in the wash and will need letting down. When you want specially neat handstitched hems prepare them by machine. Adjust the hemmer to your sewing machine, unthread your needle and run the hem along with the hemmer as though sewing it. This will turn in your edge quite evenly and press it ready for hand sewing. When preparing an edge for hemstitching draw a thread to mark the turned in edge of your hem and another thread where the hem is to be stitched. You are then sure of perfectly accurate lines.—Home Chat.