How do I hem a dress if i don't have a sewing machine?

Question

I need it hemmed by tomorrow night. And I don't have a lot of free time to do it.

Answer 1

You can buy iron on hemming tape. Pin up the hem, then you just place the tape in the hemline and iron it to fasten it. Or you could carefully stitch it into place.
Don't use masking or sticky tape, they won't hold that well, and the last thing you want is for the hem to come down at an inopportune moment. And don't wash it with the tape on or you will end up in a real mess!
You could try several small safety pins, but they might show.

Answer 2

two ways to suggest...One, if the dress can handle iron heat (test on a spot that won't show, like the inside seam or the very bottom band of the dress you are taking up....use stitch whitchery- an iron on fiber. you fold to the height you need and put the stitch whitchery between the fabrics and press. that works if the hem that is on now is not too thick...if it is too thick and will show, and you have to cut it off, you need to turn under the raw edge about 1/4 of an inch and then do the above. option number 2- instead of ironing, you can whip stitch it. fold under the raw edge and press it to the right length, and then starting on the back with a needle and thread in a color that will show the least, knot the thread. put a stitch from the underside of the raw hem towards you. working on the inside, leave long stitches 1/2 inch, and do tiny stitches through to the right side. take a look at how some of your other clothes are done to get an idea. worst case? go to the dry cleaners and pay someone. good luck.- don't use masking tape, it will hang funny and scotch tape will come loose in the middle of the event.

Answer 3

If the fabric is stable, meaning non-stretch, use hem tape. You place it between the two layers of fabric you want fused and press with an iron. It usually needs a touch up press after each wash to re-adhere it in spots.

If it's a knit, do a whip stitch by hand. It will take about an hour or less if you're OK with a needle and thread.

Answer 4

Hand-sewing is a lost art. If the fabric is easy to work with, you can roll the fabric a quarter inch and tack it yourself to get through tomorrow night.

An easier way may be to call around and find a seamstress to do it for you. Drycleaners often have a seamstress or tailor - also check with formal wear stores to see if they can refer you to someone. If you drop it off in the morning, most of them will be able to do it for you by pick-up since hemming is an easy job. Check with friends too, to see if any of them have a hidden talent or a grandma or Mom with sewing skills...but be sure to say thank you with a bottle of wine or other gift.

Scotch tape used to be recommended as an emergency measure, but I never thought it worked well.

Answer 5

I suggest you use fabric glue -- about $3 at any fabric or discount store.

If you can't get fabric glue you can always use staples or safety pins but will have to staple or pin carefully so the metal doesn't show. Pins and staples are usually only used to hem PART of a skirt in emergency situations but can be done quite quickly.

Answer 6

Get a needle and thread. (Make sure you have exact color thread as dress or it'll look really tacky). Go online and look up the steps to do a temporary sew. It's kind of hard to explain without showing.

Answer 7

ok, do a soft hook

start in the backleave a loop in the knot
make a litle sttch in the front, go through te loop, this will create another loop for your next stitch,
or yuo could do a base stitch if (a) yo wont be messing witht the dress to much and (b) you hae the right color string because it looks like ------------

You can also do safty pins from the inside if need be

Answer 8

Take it to someone who knows how. A really good seamstress will do it overnight. You could also go back to the ancient of ways and use a needle and thread.
www.learnhowtosew.com try this website or google your question.

Answer 9

Get a needle and thread and do it while your watching TV.

You have a LOT of "Free Time" that u can use... Just take your time and do your best.

Answer 10

a needle and thread, like the good old pioneer days. you don't have to stitch it all the way around, just "tack" it. put a stitch in every inch, all the way around.