Megan has done a few scalloped hem tutorials in the past, but we thought it would be nice for a little update. It’s really not as hard as you would think! So follow along, and you’ll be creating scalloped hems in no time…….
1. Start by folding, pressing, and sewing a single fold hem towards the inside of your garment. It doesn’t necessarily have to be quite as much as mine ( about 1”), but make it at least 1/2″.
2. Now fold again, right sides together, a couple of inches or so. Your sewn line will be the guideline for the top of your scallop.So how much you fold over will really depend on how deep you want your scallop pattern to be. You’ll see what I mean within the next few steps. Pin in place.
3. To make your scallop stencil – draw a straight line on a piece of paper, and then a parallel line for how deep you want your scallop to be. Using a round object (I used a little votive jar), draw your half circles, so that they start at your first guideline, and then dip and touch your second guideline. Make sure each one connects, too.
Cut out your stencil.
4. Place your stencil on your hem, so that your drawn line/ top of your scallop lines up with your sewn guideline. Trace your scallops. (In the previous posts, Megan used contact paper to make her scallop stencil, therefore eliminating the tracing step. I didn’t have contact paper, so this is another way to do it!)
5. Now very carefully, and very very slowly – sew along your traced scallop lines.
6. Clip in-between each scallop, so that you come as close as you possibly can to the stitches, without actually cutting through it.
7. Trim off the excess fabric around the scallops close to the stitching. You can use pinking shears or regular shears if you would like.
8. Pressing is very important when it comes to getting the perfect rounded shape. It may seem a little redundant, but take the time go through al the steps of pressing your scallops!
First, while your hem is still right sides together, stick your iron in between each scallop and press.
Then turn your hem right side out, and do the same thing – press in between each scallop. This will really help get the right round shape.
……….
When you’re all done press flat, and finish the inside of your hem with an invisible stitch.
Voila! You have a scalloped hem!
Come back tomorrow to see a completed scalloped hem on the Kelly Skirt!