Okay, let’s get going on hemming our Darling Ranges dresses! This is an easyyyy peasy step!
Let’s get out our rulers and get those irons hot!
I think this first step is most important – > check that your skirt is a uniform length. That seems obvious, but sometimes we can end up cutting slightly inaccurately and then one side of your skirt may be longer than the other. This is going to be really obvious in this dress because then one side of the placket may be longer than the other. So first check that both sides are the same length.
Fold under 1/2″ of fabric at the raw edge of the skirt hem, and press.
Fold under 2″ of fabric, press and pin in place.
Sew along the folded edge on the inside enclosing the raw edges. I like to start along the bottom of the placket and sew up until I hit the hem edge then sew all the way around the hem – I do that because it’s a quick easy way to close up the opening by the placket.
Press again – and you’re done!
OTHER NOTES ON HEMMING
- This is a wide hem – you really don’t have to make it this wide if you don’t want to :) Which could be useful if you get this far and realise that your skirt is too short – you can get up to an extra 2 inches in skirt length by making a narrower hem!
- Why not think about doing something else with your hem? I kind of wish I’d made mine scalloped! Remember the tutorial i made for easy scallop hems last year? I think that would be SO cute on a Darling Ranges!
- I also kind of love the idea of doing a contrast hem with a band of fabric or lace – which would actually be useful if you realise too late that your skirt is too short! (it happens, that’s why i’m mention it twice hehe)
- I saw this idea for getting a uniform hem on Pinterest a while ago and i think it’s really clever!
Do you still hate buttons and buttonholes? Because I have an idea for you :) Even though the pattern calls for buttons, you can get a bit creative and do something else like snaps/press studs. I did that on a dress I made a few years ago and I love how easy it is to put on (and it took 5 minutes to attach the snaps).
LOOKING FOR MORE TUTORIALS?
Here’s the full list of Darling Ranges tutorials:
- Project preparation
- Pattern alterations: full bust adjustment
- Pattern alterations: small bust adjustment
- Pattern alterations: lengthen the bodice
- Pattern alterations: raise the neckline
- Pattern alterations: rounded neckline
- Pattern alterations: fishtail hem
- Pattern alterations: add darts to the back bodice pattern piece
- Sewing & construction: Bodice & darts
- Sewing & construction: Skirt & pockets
- Sewing & construction: Attaching the skirt & bodice
- Sewing & construction: Placket & Neckline
- Sewing & construction: Sleeveless version
- Sewing & construction: Attaching the sleeves
- Sewing & construction: Hemming
- Sewing & construction: Ties & beltloops
- Sewing & construction: Closures
- Sewing and Construction: Sleeveless variation
- Sewing and Construction: Dartless Versions (View B &View C)
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNdarlingranges and @megannielsenpatterns if sharing on social media.
Don’t have the pattern yet?
