Hemming is a valuable sewing skill that will enable you to alter or fix your garments like a professional. With just a few supplies and some patience, you can easily learn how to hem any piece of clothing. Follow these 12 steps to start hemming your own clothes.

1. Gather the necessary supplies: You will need a sewing machine or needle and thread, straight pins, fabric scissors, an iron, a ruler or measuring tape, and chalk or fabric pencil to mark measurements.

2. Choose the right thread: Match the thread color to your fabric as closely as possible to create a seamless finish.

3. Pre-wash your fabric: Washing and drying the fabric allows it to shrink before you make adjustments so that the final result is accurate.

4. Measure the desired length: Put on the garment and decide where you want the new hemline to be. Mark the new length with chalk or a fabric pencil.

5. Remove any existing hems: If there is already a hem in place, carefully remove the stitches with a seam ripper or scissors.

6. Create a clean edge: Trim away any excess fabric, leaving about 1-1½ inches below your marked hemline for folding.

7. Fold and pin the raw edge: Turn the garment inside out and fold the raw edge upwards, ½ inch from the marked line. Hold it in place using straight pins.

8. Press with an iron: Carefully iron over the folded edge to create a crisp and smooth finish.

9. Fold again and pin: Fold up another ½ inch so that your initial marking is now on the inside fold of your hem. Pin it in place throughout the garment.

10. Sewing machine method: For straight hems, use a straight stitch close to the inner folded edge. If you have curved hems, choose an appropriate stitch for curves – following your sewing machine guidelines.

11. Hand-sewing method: If you’re not using a sewing machine, start at one end of the hem by securing the thread with a knot. Use a slip stitch or whip stitch to sew the hem in place, making sure your stitches are neat and evenly spaced.

12. Final touches: Remove any remaining straight pins, trim your threads neatly, and press the hem once more with an iron for a crisp finish.

And that’s it! With these 12 steps, you now have the basic skills to hem any garment. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t flawless. Keep honing your technique, and you’ll soon be able to hem your clothes like a pro.