Tutorial: How to Sew a Shirt Tail Hem using Bias Tape

Hello, all! Today is the last of the tutorials for the May Sew My Style Challenge. For this last one, I am going over how to sew a shirt tail hem using a bias facing. As always, let me know if you have any questions in the comments!
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[@katielulu18]

Hi Whitney, I really enjoy your videos too. I never say anything critical in comments, however I agree with others that music backgrounds are not a good thing. I normally wouldn't have let it play, however you always have enjoyable content. Thanks for hearing me out. Thanks for all you do!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you, Katie! I appreciate feedback. I will omit the music going forward!

[@GeeGeeScott]

This tutorial has saved my sanity. I spent more than an hour trying to neatly fold the shirt tail hem and I was about to snap and then I found this tutorial. Thank you SEW much. I will be forever thankful! 😇

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad!!

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

Wow Whitney! I never skip your weekday posts, but since I have been sewing longer than you have been alive, I watch your weekend tutorials only as I want to review that content. So, now that I am doing my own one pattern 3 ways blouses, I opened this one on hems. The change in your look just due to having your colors done is AMAZE-BALLS! 🥳 I think it's time for me to use your most recent link to get mine done! You are so inspiring and encouraging, thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 it is pretty radical. My good friend, Jenni, was looking back at old blog pictures I had taken and she was just saying the same thing! You can use TOMKATCOLOR at the Color Guru to get 10% off!

[@rosemarybarrett7650]

Great tutorial! I love your idea to compliment and problem solve the curved hem with bias binding- such a high end detail too. You never disappoint. Thank you for your inspiration.🤗

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@meggraham4974]

Thank you. That was a great tutorial. My Mom used to do hems luke that but I necer watched her doing one. Often wondered how she did it and since I retired wanted to try that technique. Thank you again. You are wonderful. Glad Joy mentioned you because you are great.

[@TomKatStitchery]

What a sweet comment! I’m very glad Joy mentioned me as well!

[@cristaalvarez1240]

This is so much easier than how I was taught to do bias facings! I love it! Thank you ❤️❤️

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad!

[@marciahighsmith4820]

Wonderful solution to those dreadful shirt tail hems. Thanks for sharing it!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It definitely makes them less painful!

[@lilolmecj]

I don’t remember exactly when I discovered making my own bias tape, and replacing facings with, but I just love it. And used for a curved hem it just overcomes so many problems! This will be very helpful to a lot of people who want to kick their sewing up a notch.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It’s a great way to add pops of color and customization as well!

[@lenorebaker8147]

You always have such useful information! THANK YOU!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

You are welcome!!!

[@lstumpff1764]

Thank you. Your tutorials are very helpful. A tutorial on hemming knits would be great.

[@lilolmecj]

L Stumpff I don’t know what Whitney would recommend, but I recently purchased a 2-3-4-5 thread serger that converts to a cover stitch. Now I honestly didn’t think I would use it much. But once I used it I am super happy with it. Double needles work well on stable knits, but can look less pleasing on really stretchy knits. My final thing I really like is a scallop stitch on the edge, with the thread tension tightened up to maybe 7. It looks really cute, I have used it on many different styles.

[@angelqueen9352]

thank you for sharing. I enjoy watching your tutorials

[@anneinstx1969]

Great tute. Not seen this way to fisnish before, but will sure do it next opportunity. Very and professional finish. Thanks.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you liked it. It’s definitely my preferred way!

[@PsychicKathleen]

Another helpful tutorial Whitney :) I do use bias binding (much easier to just iron it in half!) but sometimes I'll put the hem through the serger as a light gather with fusible thread in the lower looper or upper looper depending - iron it down for a narrow hem and sew it. It works quite well - not my idea! but it works pretty good too on those steeper side curves :)

[@TomKatStitchery]

That’s genius! I’ve never used the fusible thread, but now I must get some!!

[@mamasaidsew4843]

Will definitely use this method for hemming shirttail from now on. So much easier and neater in appearance. Thanks so much.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s definitely my favorite method!

[@caroleades5827]

Thanks so much for the tutorial :-). I love to watch you tutorials:-).

[@lyndapalmano4490]

Thanks for this brilliant tutorial - just love how my shirt tail hems look now

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! This makes me so happy!

[@janicesimmons2336]

Thank you so very much. What a hassle to do the old way.

[@TomKatStitchery]

This is definitely my preferred method!

[@annelowry2937]

Thanks for this old tutorial! I have been struggling with a shirttail hem and I think this will work! The side seams are killing me.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm happy that it was helpful!

[@ccpperrett7522]

Brilliant! Thank you Whitney.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mamasaidsew4843]

Just wanted to say I used this technique last night on a button up shirt I made for my son. Used a thrift store silk tie for the bias. Love the look and it's those little touches that make it special in my opinion. Thanks again for sharing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you tried it and liked it!

[@kscheuerman5378]

Whitney, thanks for another tutorial!! Thanks for the tips on bias binding, homemade style! I like that you sewed on the top of the fabric. Take care & God Bless.

[@711Union]

WOW! Another great idea for completing the shirt tail, After the horrible storms, it was so nice to see you uploaded this video.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Luckily, I upload in advance (most of the time) so the power outages didn't effect my uploading schedule. We were, however, without power and internet for a bit. I'm from Missouri originally (was raised right in tornado alley) and am used to tornado weather, but that micro burst was weird!

[@atrinka1]

A beautiful pairing of fabrics and well explained! One thing: the background music is distracting, your voice is perfect without the music. I always say concave.....cave.....deep! So concave is like a cave curved inwards😉 Thanks for sharing!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! I can definitely cut the music out for next time. Also, thanks for the memory help! That trick does help with remembering the difference!

[@lidialippold9274]

Love the fabric and tutorial .

[@rebeccap.40]

I love watching your videos! you offer some great information and insights. I would be very interested to know how you learned to sew, if you ever formally studied fashion, sewing, etc. What is your sewing journey? Thanks for the great content!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you, Rebecca! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the channel and finding the information helpful! I did not study sewing and was self taught (and only started in 2006) until we moved to Indianapolis and I met my mentor at a sewing class she was teaching. I apprenticed with her for about a year and a half and then apprenticed with the gal that bought her business when she retired. I’ll have to talk more about that sometime!

[@beckytheobsessedstitcher1170]

Whitney that was fantastic. I purchased a thrifted tie months ago for your tutorial. I can’t wait to use it with this technique 😀

[@brigittelogue6678]

This is perfect timing. I am just sewing my husband a shirt. Thank you so much for the tutorial.

[@sallydingle321]

Fab tutorial Whitney 👌....love the contrast binding and matching it with other bits on the shirt. I suppose it would be a great idea for a circle skirt hem too, which can always be a fiddle to get perfect 👍💝😁😘

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! It would be great for a circle skirt hem!

[@Barneysma]

Wonderful tutorial Whitney, thank you, you are a natural teacher! I decided to put a shaped hem on a Scout Tee (not a good pattern for anyone with a bust, but I have learnt how to add bust darts and fish eye darts in the back!), and then thought hmm, how do I hem this? Now I know! A good project for this evening, thank you again. X

[@TomKatStitchery]

Fantastic! It really is a great and easy to not only hem a curved hem, but to also customize. Have fun!

[@patriciabarnes3582]

I would love to also thank you for another great tutorial! Everything look so neat and easy😀

[@Lisamakes]

Great tutorial- thank you!

[@margiecook6379]

Thank you for this tutorial. Love this technique. I haven't thought of using silk ties. Great idea! Thanks lots!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It’s my pleasure!

[@mollysmith6055]

What a fun technique. I learned to sew garments in the days of too many rules and back then bias tape was only used for things like aprons or potholders...how silly, right? Your use of the contrasting fabric is a great design touch. Thank you for taking the time to share your tutorial.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It’s my pleasure! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@sewonsister]

This is great and I assume you can also do this with any dress or skirt hem as well. It's the same method we would use for a neck facing. It all clicked when I watched your tutorial and now I can't wait to use this idea!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yep! It will work on any curved area!

[@susanleahy2299]

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@laurajones4088]

Great tutorial, Whitney! Love the use of the contrasting fabric for bias binding.

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

Wow! I am going to give this a try! Thanks Whitney for your expertise.

[@mamabear4009]

That really looks nice, and you did a great job explaining how to do it.

[@kerrys778]

Thanks Whitney! That was so helpful.

[@marilynshines6038]

If no one else has told you yet, just thought I'd let you know, a conCAVE caves IN; conVEX is outward. Easy way to remember. One of my favorite sewers/quilters, Joy Bernhardt, mentioned in her vlog that her viewers should check your videos out, so I looked you up and I'm so glad I did. She was so right, you are fantastic I think was the word she used. Love your stuff!

[@DiannaAtherton]

Love the fabric.

[@laliesuzette5853]

Great as usual 🌸 Thank you very much ! 🤗

[@lindaladner5880]

Great tutorial! Thanks

[@karinpapps4467]

Thank you 🦋

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@charlottealexander2329]

Thanks whitney great video. Raiding husband’s tie collection as i type. Is that light part of your sewing machine? Could use some recommendations for lughts.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It is. My dealer popped it onto the back when I bought the machine. I have heard great things about Ott lights!

[@TennyLyons]

I just thought I'd put my two cents in. That light is magnetic. It will only work on an iron casing, not plastic.

[@DoloresDeeBodnar]

Great idea ❤

[@k3of5ks]

Fantastic tutorial. I’ve been placing my bias binding on top while sewing on. Makes total sense to have at bottom where feed dogs can help. Thank you! Would the same technique apply to neckline and sleeves?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yep! This is exactly how I do it for necklines and armholes as well!

[@JaqueBampi]

Double bias tape makes it bulkier by an extra layer, but I love the folded finishing line inside. Do you still do hems this way?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I don't double it up anymore, but just use single folded bias tape (each edge folded to the center). Bias finish is still my favorite way to finish curved hems, though!

[@nicolejacques2563]

This is probably a weird question, but can you bind stretch pleather this way around the neck line and arm holes? I was thinking of hemming it, but I worry that they would stretch out or ripple.

[@TomKatStitchery]

You could definitely do this on stretch pleather!

[@texasproud8822]

Thanks

[@pollymaxwell5585]

My least favorite thing to sew is the hem, so thank you for this video, I will definitely be using this on my next sewing project.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It really makes sewing a curved hem SO much easier!

[@janiedavis9857]

Hi can you use hem tape the same way. I'm thinking less bulk. Thank you for the tutorial. Janie

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes you could!

[@karolprior2436]

Fabulous tutorial Whitney, thanks. Could I just mention that the background music was very distracting. So much easier to concentrate on what you are saying without it. X

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you for the feedback. I can very easily do without that in the future!

[@karolprior2436]

TomKat Stitchery bless you. Thanks. X

[@dallasmandy]

Concave goes in, like a cave.

[@sol5803]

Fabulous! Also like you use an industrial machine.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yep! I LOVE my industrial Juki!

[@amysmithlinton3502]

Concave makes a cave. Convex makes a vexing bulge. That's one way to remember. Thanks!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a great way to remember that! Thank you!

[@722dabba]

Memory helper....Concave is inward like a cave

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jebobarr4091]

Does the music normally play in the background the whole time? It is very annoying.

[@TomKatStitchery]

A couple of others have commented that it was a bit distracting so I’ll omit it for next time.

[@kareensmall3590]

I used to say when you vex you pout so convex if it curves out and concave like a cave

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I love this memory tool!

[@lavonnekindred3066]

Thanks for another winning tutorial. I'm making a blouse with a shaped front hem right now, so I'll use this technique for it. Your tutorials are helping me step up my game on sewing, which is a great delight after sewing for about 50 years! I'm also on the #memademay2019, as lavonne7coxnet.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying the content!