How to: Hem a Circular Hem The Easiest, Stress-free Way

Heming a circular hem can be hard, especially on smaller, tighter curves. Hems can fray, twist, pucker, and stretch. However, this is the easiest, stress-free way to sew a circular hem that sits nice and flat. Follow on below to find out how.

For the sake of this tutorial, I am practicing on a small scrap circle of fabric. This is a good idea if you are starting a new project and are new to sewing. Just use a scrap piece of fabric from the fabric you will be using to construct your garment.

Tools

• sewing machine
• overlocker
• iron

Materials

• Scrap fabric cut in a circle or curved shape
• cotton thread (enough to also thread your overlocker)

Step 1 

Ensure your fabric piece is pressed flat and all loose and frayed edges are trimed.

Step 2 

Overlock from the right side of the fabric around the curve then press flat.

Step 3 

Turn the fabric over the press the overlocked edge over to create your seam allowance, continue until it is all pressed inwards. Using just the tip if the iron will make this easier.

Also take care not to have the iron too hot, you don’t want to burn your fabric.

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Step 4 

Next using your straight stitch machine sew a 4-5mm seam.

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Step 5 

The edges may be slightly puckered after step 4, so give the fabric a good steam press running the iron from the inside of the circle towards the hem of the fabric.

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Hopefully, now you have a little bit more confidence when sewing a garment with a curved or circular hem now that you have this easy stress-free way of sewing. Let me know in the comments below how you went. While you are here, another basic sewing skill you will need to master is sewing a French seam.

Also, check out our Esty store for some great shapes to practices your circular hemming skills on.

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