For many, the task of hemming chiffon is overwhelming. But once you learn the right techniques, it doesn’t have to frighten you. In this episode of Sewing with Silk video workshop series, instructor Katrina Walker demonstrates how to make narrow, flat hems with ease and confidence.

Narrow hem

Cut the hem with a 5/8-inch-wide allowance. Begin by sewing a line of straight stitching at 1/2 inch. Use taut sewing, without stretching the fabric. Leave long thread tails at the start and finish of the stitching.

Press the hem allowance to the wrong side, rolling the stitching just to the wrong side. Stitch again on top of the previous stitching, anchoring both hem layers together.

Trim the excess hem allowance as close as possible to the stitching.

Roll the hem allowance to the wrong side, enclosing the raw edge in the fold, and press. Then stitch one final row to secure the hem.

Faux rolled hem

Learn a quick and easy way for hemming chiffon with a zigzag. Set the stitch for a wide stitch—7.0 mm if your machine offers this width—and a short length. Try a stitch length of 2.0 mm or shorter.

Center the fabric under the presser foot, so the needle swings onto, then off the edge of, the fabric. Hold the thread tails behind the presser foot and begin to sew. The thread tension rolls the edge under for a secure finish.