How to hem t-shirts & knits | Craftsy Sewing with Angela Wolf

No serger needed - use your home sewing machine to hem t-shirts and knits with these simple tips from seamstress Angela Wolf. Then visit www.craftsy.com/ext/YT_170_2 to get even more tips in Angela's online sewing class, Tailoring Ready-to-Wear.
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About Tailoring Ready-to-Wear:
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Ready-to-wear shouldn't be "ready-to-swear." Learn to make your own alterations to store-bought clothing, including lengthening and shortening hems, altering waistbands, replacing zippers, tapering tops and more. After Angela shows you how to alter garments like a pro, your friends will inevitably start asking where you buy your clothes.
Avoid expensive alteration fees -- you can fashion your own tailored wardrobe. Enroll today in Tailoring Ready-to-Wear.
About Angela Wolf:
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Angela Wolf is the owner of ABO Apparel, a custom apparel business. She is the "Couture Sewing Expert" on the PBS series It's Sew Easy and is a contributor to Threads and SewStylish magazines as well as PatternReview.com. Recently, she launched her own ready-to-wear collection, wrote the book How to Start a Home-Based Fashion Business (available December 4, 2012) and was voted 2012 Teacher of the Year by the American Sewing Expo.

[@Apollo_Blaze]

Wow, Mind Blown here...I already have a double needle for knits, so knowing stitch length and lower tension is what I needed to know, and No Tape...I now can hem all my polo shirts that make me look "dragged down"....Thank you!!!♥

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Wonderful!

[@droidemail6973]

Angela Wolf's videos are my favorite! So easy to follow and informative.

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Thanks so much! We're so glad you enjoyed it!

[@nitraale13]

Thank you so so much for sharing this tip!! I am a beginner and have a very basic machine (straight stitch and zigzag). I spent a few weeks trying to figure out how to hem a knit shirt and skirt w/o zigzag, so it looks more "professional". After watching your video - went to the store, bought a twin needle and successfully finished 2 pieces!!

[@blinkeypanda]

Thanks for this video! I hem alot of my teeshirts cause i'm short and now i can make it look good. Was able to do this in like 2 mins, so easy!

[@michelledelgadillo]

I was SO happy to see how easy it is to set up a double needle and the effects for it on knits. I looked through my supplies and was also so happy to see that I have the equipment needed to use this technique! Thanks Angela! I watch "It's Sew Easy" on Saturday mornings! With basic skills, I'm confident that I can re-create the same skills. Thanks for sharing wonderful ideas!

[@baileymorgan635]

Sweet i didnt realize the bobbin winder shaft let me connect the extra spool pin to it. Thanks for this video.

[@CraftsyYouTube]

You're welcome!

[@isabelkassan5244]

Thank you for the tip! Very clear and easy to understand! Can hardly wait to get a double needle and use it!

[@insidexistance]

You're the greatest person on Earth! Cool, sweet, informative...all in one. Now if I could find co-workers like you...

[@patriciathompson2202]

This is something I've wanted to see for a long time. You made it so simple and straightforward. I have taken your Craftsy class "Tailoring Ready-to-Wear" and learned so much - the lessons on properly hemming jeans and taking in the waist alone was worth the price of the class. Thank you. I'm getting ready for the advanced class!

[@AngelaWolf]

+Patricia Thompson thanks so much :)

[@grammacrowden]

Thank you Angela, I have 5 t-shirts that are way to long and have been putting off hemming them, your advise saved me!!

[@IntoBlackHouse]

This is a great video! Easy to understand, not too fast, straight to the point. I also like that Angela SHOWED you why the silk plate wouldn't work with the twin needle, instead of just saying why. Sometimes people forget about us visual learners.

[@DawnZipper1967]

Thank you for such a great video - I was not sure how to use the double needle or what to use it for. I love it and will be using it alot more

[@peggyclements7759]

Thank you! Had my daughter pick up a twin needle yesterday, tried it last night on my old crummy sewing machine and it worked beautifully! One thing, there are 2 widths on the twin needles. I got the narrower one, probably should have gotten the wider one (where the needles are about a 1/4 inch apart, maybe not quite that much) but it still worked great! Thanks for posting these.

[@ThePixiedevil]

Just used this technique on a knit dress hem for a client. Looks soooo much nicer than just the zig-zag. More professional and more like the original garment hem. Thanks so much!

[@cindiwalsh2329]

I've never used my twin needles. Thanks for showing me how to do it!

[@nynurse2]

This is such a great tip!..Thank you soooo much for this video!.. It is a great help!

[@joanneharvey246]

Thank you thank you thank you! I have been struggle and I’ll try this!

[@jullibeau]

This is just what I needed! Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@AngelaWolf]

+Julli B Thanks :)

[@claudeb820]

Thanks for the preview. Can't wait up sign up for the class.

[@creacionesmorcis]

Hi,my nane is paula I ,m fashion desinger and I really like your videos and a great help ,thanks and greating from Chile.

[@phyllisa1720]

Thank you, loved the tip and appreciate the pace. Fast and easy, :-)

[@jeffk444]

Liked your video but I am so happy that I invested in an industrial coverstitch machine.It is so much easier and creates a great stitch.

[@margaretwood1255]

Thanks for this great tip. I'm going to try it tomorrow

[@ArcanePath360]

Exactly what I was looking for, (and eventually found!) thanks

[@katrinsmenio7847]

Thanks for a lovely simple lesson

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Glad you liked it!

[@donnainmt]

Thank you for this! What a fabulous tip!!!

[@GLITCHINTHESYSTEM433]

Impressive.. and the tip was very useful, will get double needle.

[@spiderlover8066]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@vmdwdunn3014]

she is always great plain speaking visuals doesnt speak too fast really like her demonstrations use to see on PBS

[@arkteriusk4656]

Best tutorial, thank you so much :))))

[@donnatalipsky362]

Bless you. I have been trying to figure out how to do this on an old serger to fix my grandson's athletic shorts. It is great that I can do this on my sewing machine. Thank you for sharing this obvious tip that I had not thought about. Wonderful! I had to come back and watch this again. I have done a lot of heirloom sewing and failed to realize that there are now different widths of twin needles. I am still very very very grateful to you for this tip!

[@dtalipsky]

+Donna Talipsky One follow on.......I agree with whoever asked about the puffiness between rows. I am now attempting to fix a t-shirt hem that has the same overlock hem. I have a borrowed serger that cannot do this stitch. Using my Bernina, I get a puffiness between the rows. Is there any way to avoid the puffiness?

[@AngelaWolf]

+Donna Talipsky thanks Donna :)

[@mard7569]

Love this! Great video thanks!

[@dankpizza]

thanks so much this is really helping me out

[@rizwanrafeek3811]

gee!! an excellent tip. thanks a million.

[@bonniewilde8681]

I really felt the benefit of this tip, Angela. I bought a cover machine once and traded it in. It was so difficult to use. You make it so easy and simple and most acceptable! Thanks so much for this. I will be looking for other things you teach. Bonnie

[@AngelaWolf]

+Bonnie Wilde thanks Bonnie :)

[@ellexusse]

Thank you! Super helpful!

[@histick1]

Thank You !! Very Helpful !!

[@live4god4]

I didn't realize that you could use 2 needles at a time. I am going to have to go get the twin needle set up.

[@gayemarianesfox2405]

This was very helpful!

[@SylviaRyanBoden]

Your videos are always so helpful and to the point - thank you! I tried this last night, but my result was not successful as my stitches didn't stretch. I have the two rows on front, a slight zig zag on back, but no significant stretch. I'm using a Brother 6000i machine, tension was 3 and stitch length 4.0, polyester threads. The fabric is a 4 way stretch poly spandex. What might I be doing wrong?

[@saraaronzon4562]

Thank you!

[@christopheberlin]

Thanks for sharing.

[@remington6363]

thank you so much

[@acrn09]

How do you use two spools of thread if you don’t have a slot for two or a serger for back up thread ?

[@buddy77587]

Thanks Angela

[@Jeff82556]

Thank you Angela, for another helpful solution for us amateurs who just wanna keep up with simple basics. Of course it's much more pleasant and motivating for me to learn from a beautiful amazing woman like you - rather than suffering the mundane hardship of watching the "other" teachers who hurt my eyes. (lol) Thanks Angela. Keep up the great work and Happy New Year!

[@stephanies870]

Thanks Angela!

[@ehuntster]

Thank you!!!

[@SoozWeissbergsartspace]

Great!

[@naomiastorita3267]

awesome video..great instruction!

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Glad you liked it!

[@naomiastorita3267]

@@CraftsyKZbin what is the plate called and does Walmart carry it?

[@fmmineo]

thank you!

[@BPTVch]

Are you using a third thread from the bobbin too?

[@marissagosling1138]

thank YOU!

[@victorwarren6264]

I've been using a twin needle for some time now (red plastic piece as shown in the video) on my 30 + year old machine but I was having issues using knit fabric. The stitches would skip once in a while. I just went to a local sewing machine store for an overcast foot (didn't know they existed either) and they mentioned twin needle for knits!!! The plastic piece is blue. She said that if you don't use this needle, you'll have skipped stitches!! Learned something new again!

[@victorwarren6264]

Husband's name. I'm Pat.

[@AngelaWolf]

Hi Pat, it sure makes a difference! Be sure to change the needle often too.

[@prettyblimp]

hi Angela, how can I sew hems on tee shirts to stop them flipping back up to the right side? some fabrics do this and I am trying to figure it out. thanks! thanks for taking the mystery out of twin needles!!

[@kadlee]

thank u!!! ❤️ may i know which Brother type u'r using?

[@patlor0416]

supercool!

[@bizcoach7]

Angela, it's a great idea, and I like the fact that you show show some steps. But it would be helpful - especially to beginners and people who never used twin needles or this technique before - if you gave all the information that is essential, like the length of the stitch. You mention (at 2:08)something about choosing 4 /4.5 for a nice stitch, I assume it's the length, but you just say it in passing, and I can see from the comments below that I'm not the only one who didn't get it. The other thing is, can you double the fabric as you usually do hemming, or leave the edge unfinished? and another comment: my old machine had a thread divider so when I was threading it with two threads I had to make sure that the right thread went on the right side of the thread divider and the left thread on the left.

[@sandysanasith4907]

thank you , but would that work with regular sewing machine ? just changing the needle plate ?

[@dec2057]

Sweet! Thanks :-D

[@whopadeng]

Can someone tell me, which machines (general sewing!) have two thread spool holders. Yes, I know you can use a freestanding, etc. I want to know which machines hold two spools! Thanks

[@sharonkhor7433]

Hi thanks for the vid. Are the needles ball point or universal

[@beckyb8929]

I have tried the twin needles, which are more expensive. And they always break. So could you provide some tips on how to make sure the sewing machine is set up right for those needles since it seems more finicky with the double needle? Are there types of double needles that should be used for t-shirt fabric? I don't remember which ones I bought - they broke so quickly I have none left in my sewing box. I do have some t-shirt that need shortening. Thanks!

[@SK-ns6sl]

Would any twin needle be ok in any machine? I have a Singer 1507, which is the simplest model... or do we need specific twin needle sizes for specific machines. I need to hem really stretchy sleeping pyjamas for my daughter, they're made of bamboo cotton jersey which is rather thin and soft. Do you recommend doing a blindstitch hemming in stretchy fabrics? Would really appreciate your reply

[@e.g.8060]

If we have a serger, is it possible to serge the edge of the fabric before going to the sewing machine and do the twin needle hem? Would it look almost exactly like coverstitch then?

[@TanyaOwens]

My sewing machine (Singer SE340) states you can do all decorative stitches, including a zigzag stitch with a twin needle. Why do you recommend that folks should only straight stitch with the twin needle?

[@sylviahilxebrant7141]

Been experimenting with this technique on silky knit. Everything looks great but there's always a hump between the two straight lines of stitching. Played with tension, feed dogs, stitch length and even used a walking foot. Any suggestions on this problem? I really like this finish but just can't get it right.

[@MALENASKY]

Muchas gracias!!, me has ayudado muchísimo.

[@MichelleKrzmarzick85]

I just used your technique and it worked great! It looks so professional! I never would have tried this without your well-done video. Thanks so much!

[@kareningenthron3003]

Michelle Krzmarzick

[@dianestewart6957]

can you please tell me what model brother machine you are using?

[@gabrielleahuir3603]

Hi Angela Can you help me please?!! I just want to know how you sew over the edges of the hem allowance with the twin needle because you sew with the right side up so can't see what's going on on the wrong side where the zigzag stitches are falling ... I sew and then flip the fabric over and there are gaps in the hem where my stitching has not caught the hem edge .... it's driving me MAAAAAAAD!! I've tried marking the edge on the right side and and using a wider twin needle but I'm not feeling 100% happy ... do you have a huge no doubt obvious tip that I haven't considered? Thank you so much in advance

[@joyannpeterson1822]

I can't adjust my presure on my foot on my janome 108. the twin needle stitch leaves a bump in the middle of the two stitch lines. I hate that. i was using a loose long stitch. 2/..3 for length.

[@liezelstander6899]

Why does my left needle on the twin kerp slipping stitches.?. Not doing good job

[@redrose9561]

I find it easier to pull out the threads a good length and thread the needle - then insert the needle into the machine and tighten.

[@dinorahhenriquez7295]

What model of machine are you using.

[@panchalsejal]

Hi, this is informative video but I would like to know which pattern on your machine you are using as I have brother too and it would match. I was not able to figure out straight on one side and zigzag on other.

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Hello! Great question. Please feel welcome to send your question(s) to [e-mail]. We will then send your question along to our experts. Thanks!

[@lib3523]

Hi! new here but this is exactly what I am looking to do for shirts I wanna make. What do you recommend to buy to do this at home and in bulk?

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Hello Libardo, Thank you for contacting us. Great question! Please use the link below to submit your questions to our experts: www.craftsy.com/contact

[@naomiastorita3267]

what do I need to hem jeans to look professional? Does Walmart carry the double needle and plate?

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please provide the email associated with your paid membership. Thanks!

[@dollyh.3976]

Hi Angela. Enjoyed the video. I was puzzled by the zigzag stiitch on the reverse of the material you were demonstrating with. How did you get the zigzag stitch using the twin needle? You stated not to use zigzag setting at the beginning of the demo.

[@theladybaltimore]

+Dolly H. At 1:57 she says to set the machine for twin needle. Then she says not to worry about it if your machine doesn't have that setting. It is a bit confusing and more info would be great. I agree with you.

[@pattiann42]

+Dolly H. It just happens. The two needles catch the bobbin thread and it zig zags between the two. If your machine has a double/twin needle setting, it is just a precaution so you remember not try anything but a straight stitch and have a needle plate that is wide enough for the double/twin needle to pass through.

[@theladybaltimore]

Do you mean that if you use the twin needle and set the machine on regular straight stitch, that you get the knit shirt hem stitch automatically?

[@AngelaWolf]

+Dolly H. You set the machine for a straight stitch, stitch length of 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0. If your machine allows you to set the "twin needle" button do that, but it's not mandatory. So if you don't have that button, not to worry. The bobbin will create the zigzag stitch on the backside. Hope that helps :)

[@AngelaWolf]

+Theresa Novak yes, use a straight stitch at stitch length of 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0. The bobbin thread makes the zigzag stitch.

[@irishagold]

I made a few attempts to sew with twin needles. The result - a mess as soon as I start to sew, threads always tangle on me.... What do I do wrong?

[@rideforever]

...er ... and then ? On the inside of the garment you have a flap of material - do you cut it off ? And doesn't it fray? Shouldn't you wrap that flap underneath before you stitch ? ????

[@michellepark778]

You can also get a triple needle, I wind some thread onto a bottom and leave on bobbin winder (disengaged) for the third reel of thread. www.schmetz.com/en/household-needles/needle-portfolio/twin-triple-needles/

[@wendynicholss6886]

I can't use my twin needle!! I have literally spent all day trying to use it and it will not sew, the right needle either doesnt sew at all or just skips stitches and gets all jammed up! I have altered the tension altered the thread done everything I can think of. I now want to launch it through the window!! I am using lycra so not sure if this is the problem?? Anyone got any ideas for me?? Great video by the way just wish mine would sew like this.

[@ivanapaunovic1276]

Is your needle on the right way? Maybe you are using two different size needles? Or you didn't thread it right

[@MattyMattnj1]

does it matter which kind of thread for hemming tshirts? cotton or poly? 4.0 is the stich length?

[@CraftsyYouTube]

Hello there, When stitching a seam on a garment that needs to stretch, polyester or all-purpose thread is recommended. The stitch length is up to you, but a 3.5 or 4.0 is a great place to start. Thank you!

[@MattyMattnj1]

Funny you just answered this question right as I'm trying out my double needle for the first time and I'm having bad luck! All I keep doing is breaking the thread for some reason it'll go about 6 in and then break the thread driving me crazy I adjusted the tension to 0 and it still breaking the thread I don't know why

[@Melatina77]

What I don't like about the double needle is that the sewing doesn't lie flat. There is a puff between the rows. How does one prevent that from happening especially on knits?

[@Karma81587]

Stabilizer of some sort you could use lightweight facing

[@AngelaWolf]

+Melatina77 lower the tension a little

[@jesslopez106]

I tried this with my standard twin needle my Brother sewing machine came with, it didn't work stretch wise, the seam still broke and did not stretch. I'm assuming I need a ball point twin needle.

[@nene25138]

+Jessica Lopez You tension may also need to be adjusted. The same thing used to happen to me.

[@clauavile]

Me gusta tu canal, pero no hablo inglés, solo español y no entiendo...

[@shrljazz]

what model brother machine is yours?

[@AngelaWolf]

the is the Brother Dreamweaver

[@diannaa6189]

Shirley Armstrong does the Brother Dreamweaver have a model number?

[@Abasinphq]

When I do this, it skips stitches and the underside looks a mess. It's not a nice zigzag. Blah..

[@MarkMeyer]

Hi Angela, thank you for the excellent video. I followed everything you said but ended up with a stitch that looks like this on the back? Pictures (follow link to google photos) are front side, back side, my settings, etc. What's going on with the back??? I can't figure out how to get it to give me the nice zig zag pattern. Needle is a stretch 4/75 twin. Machine is Kenmore 385.18221 goo.gl/photos/xU3JFBGJgvtBFdWF8 I've tried a number of different settings: Needle tension: from 1 to 6 all gives the same on the back, 0 produces skipped stitches Stitch selector: now on 5, which is a straight stitch, but I've tried several other version and it its worse. Bobbin tension? it's a drop in bobbin and it's been wound properly as far as I know. To me it looks like I'm getting double stitches or something, which causes the rats nest in the back. I'm also getting puckering between the straight stitches, but I think that's mainly due to what's going on with the backside. What can I do to fix this??? (I am pretty sewing illiterate, but I'm trying to figure this out, I feel like we're close!)

[@PepInYaStep]

Hey, were you able to figure out the problem? I'm dealing with the same issue.

[@MarkMeyer]

@@PepInYaStep move the length out to 4 or anything other than stretch and it'll correct it. It was putting too much tension on the stitch.

[@PepInYaStep]

@@MarkMeyer I've tried 3 to 4 and tension from 6 to 3. top stitch seems good, but the bottom doesn't seem to zigzag so when i stretch the fabric, the thread snaps.

[@MarkMeyer]

@@PepInYaStep I just double checked my settings. Width of 2.5, Length of 4, straight stitch (5 on my machine). Make sure the threads are freely spooling and not getting caught up with tension, that'll cause it to bunch up badly. These settings work for me.

[@Cesyesco]

i just hemmed a nice dress without my twin needle. i will have to exhauste myself on sewing with my regular rather than buying a serger until i have mastered my DZ3

[@afiya9871]

n you Kl

[@Marsha_Ann]

She sounds like she’s either from Long Island, Queens or Staten Island. But she cud be from Wisconsin or something too lol

[@TheBodella]

,

[@linaburon5672]

Sorry but I just look at your ring so big Lol

[@heikeholder9639]

Hard to understand because she is talking like a waterfall. Always unterstand woff instead of wolf

[@TheCynedd]

I was taught this technique in 1970 when I was 12; this technique is nothing new.

[@ale347baker]

It's new to me, hence why I'm watching the video

[@mi13estrellas]

How about hemming stretch denim!? They come out wavy :(