Let’s turn an old shirt into a new one!

I’ve been finding it very enjoyable and rewarding to re-work older garments - sometimes it is a garment that I just haven’t worn in a long time and just a small edit will make it something that I like much better. Other times it’s something that doesn’t fit anymore and I can re-make it into another item, like turning my favorite old linen trousers into a tank tunic dress…post to come! For this segment I will show you how to do a really simple roll hem. In this case, I had an old men’s button down shirt (not sure where from - I’ve had it in my alterations bin for a while!) that I decided to crop to wear with high waisted trousers. Here we go!

This is a shirt.

It would be so much cuter cropped! But how do we do this?

First off, try on the shirt and mark where you would like the new hem to be finished. You can mark it with a pin or safety pin, or even just chalk. You can also just lay your favorite length shirt on top of your too-long one and mark where the new hem should be.

Measure and Mark

Measure up to your pin and remember what that measurement is (or write it down! :D) Flip your shirt inside-out and measure up from the bottom of the shirt the amount that you measured previously. In this instance, I want my shirt to be 9.5” shorter. Make a chalk line around the whole circumference of the shirt - this is the bottom of your new hem!

Mark your cut line

Decide how wide you want your new hem to be. I want mine to be 1/2” wide, so I measure down from my first chalk line 1”. I will cut on this new line, fold up to the first chalk line and then fold up one more time, creating my 1/2” hem. If this doesn’t make sense, take a look at the following photos - I think it will help! Make your second chalk line around the whole circumference of the shirt, just like the first one. (Whatever width you want your hem to be, double that measurement and use it to mark this second line below your first chalk line).

Cut along the second chalk line

Carefully cut along your second chalk line - don’t cut the two layers at once - go around the whole circumference of the shirt, taking your time.

Iron it!

Iron the raw edge (that you just cut) up to that first chalk line all the way around the bottom of the shirt. Then fold it up one more time and press, creating your roll hem!

*Note that you can make that second fold as wide as you want - I’m using my first fold as a guide and keeping it all evenly 1/2”, but you could fold it up any amount…if you do, I recommend making yet another chalk line above the first one so that you have a reference point as to where to fold up to…I will do another post with some more comprehensive instructions on roll-hem possibilities, so never fear! :D

Pin it!

Pin that roll hem in place along the top folded edge.

Stitch it!

Stitch with a straight stitch along that top folded edge, securing the hem in place. Make sure to back stitch when you start and finish. I like to use a stitch length of 3 for most of my sewing, but all machines are a little different so you’ll have to find what works for you! I just don’t like it so small that I can’t take it out later if I need to haha! Also note that this is the length I use for sewing together professional garments for theater and clients - it won’t fall apart just because it’s not a 2.5 :)

It’s almost done!

Give that hem one more good press to set all the stitches and trim any threads sticking out and….you’re done! Now to try it on!

Yay!

“New” Shirt!

Well done all! Enjoy your re-vamped shirt! :D