Hem and Patch Clothes
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What you will learn
- 1Fold and pin a hem to the right length
- 2Sew a hem with small hemming stitches or a running stitch
- 3Patch a hole by pinning a patch on and sewing around it
- 4Start and finish every line of stitches with a knot
- 5Keep pins safe and leave the iron and sharp scissors to the grown-up
Mini Lesson
Pants that are too long and a sweater with a small hole do not need to go in the trash. With a needle, thread, and a little patience, you can fix them. A hem is the folded edge at the bottom of pants, skirts, and sleeves. A patch is a piece of fabric sewn over a hole. You already know how to thread a needle and knot the thread - now you will use that skill on whole clothes.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- MARK THE LENGTH: try the pants on with your grown-up and mark the new length with a pin or chalk.
- FOLD AND PIN: fold the raw edge under a little so it will not fray, then fold again up to the mark. Pin it all the way around, with the pins pointing sideways.
- THREAD AND KNOT: thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread, just like sewing on a button. Hide the knot inside the fold.
- SEW THE HEM: use small hemming stitches that catch only a thread or two of the outside fabric, so they barely show. A running stitch - in and out in a straight line - works too.
- FINISH WITH A KNOT: make a small knot on the inside, close to the fabric. The grown-up trims the thread with sharp scissors.
- TAKE OUT THE PINS: put every pin back in the pin cushion and count them. Then the grown-up irons the hem flat.
🧵 Patch a Hole
- CUT THE PATCH: your grown-up cuts a piece of fabric a little bigger than the hole on every side.
- INSIDE OR OUTSIDE: pin the patch on the inside for a hidden fix, or on the outside for a fun, colorful one.
- SEW AROUND IT: knot your thread and sew small running stitches all the way around the patch, close to its edge.
- KNOT AND CHECK: knot on the inside, take out the pins, and check that the hole is fully covered.
A grown-up is beside you the whole time you sew. Needles and pins are sharp - go slowly, keep your fingers clear, and never hold pins in your mouth. Keep every pin in the pin cushion and count them at the end so none are lost on the floor. The grown-up handles the sharp scissors and does all the ironing. If you get pricked or cut, tell the grown-up right away.
Words to know
hem
The folded and sewn edge at the bottom of pants, a skirt, or a sleeve.
e.g. We took up the hem so the pants did not drag.
raw edge
A cut edge of fabric that can fray if it is not folded under.
e.g. Fold the raw edge under before you pin the hem.
running stitch
A simple stitch that goes in and out of the fabric in a straight line.
e.g. I sewed the patch on with a running stitch.
hemming stitch
A small stitch that catches only a thread or two of the outside fabric so it barely shows.
e.g. The hemming stitches were almost invisible.
patch
A piece of fabric sewn over a hole to cover it.
e.g. A blue patch covered the hole in my sweater.
pin cushion
A soft pad that holds pins and needles safely.
e.g. Every pin went back in the pin cushion.
💡 Handy Tip: pick a thread color that matches the fabric for a hidden fix. A thread about as long as your arm is easier to handle than a very long one, which tangles.
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