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Tutorial: Make an easy scalloped hem

With our scallop inspiration post in mind, we created this tutorial on creating your own scallops. For this project we took the Sorbetto sans pleat and added a fun scalloped hem. You can use this tutorial to add scallops to almost any hem if you like. Highly customizable, you can make the tiniest scallops, deep scallops, you name it, you got it!

    Tools Needed:
  • Paper
  • Scissors
  • French curve or rounded object like a can
  • Straight ruler
  • Point turner
  • Sorbetto without pleat, or anything with a straight hem
  • Marking tool such as tailor’s chalk, fabric marker or fabric pencil

1. Lengthen your pattern’s hem. For this project we used the Sorbetto top and followed this tutorial to remove the center pleat. Once you’ve removed the pleat, you need to extend the hem by taping paper to the pattern. For this hem, I added 1 1/4″.

  1. Fold the added paper up at hem. Mark along the pattern line.

  1. Fold back down and cut along the line. You’ll see that the new hem is a light V shape on the side. Do this to the sides of the front and back. Because the side seam is sloped and not straight this will keep the hem from buckling. It will now lie nice and flat on the inside.

serge or pink the edges
  1. Cut out the fabric and sew the shirt following the directions given. Stop when you reach the hem. Use pinking shears to pink the edge of the hem or serge it as I’ve done here.

  1. Fold the hem. The hem plus the seam allowance is 1 7/8″ (remember we added 1 1/4″ to the hem, and the existing seam allowance was 5/8″… 1 1/4 + 5/8 = 1 7/8). Fold the fabric this width all the way around the garment, right sides together. You’re folding it to the outside. Lightly press the fold to keep it in place.
  2. Calculate the width of each scallop. Start by measuring the total length of the hem. For this shirt there will be 11 scallops. So divide the total length of the hem by the number of scallops. In this case it is 42″ divided by 11 equals approximately 3 7/8″. Each scallop will be about 3 7/8″ wide.

  1. Time to make a paper template. Draw a line 3/8 from the edge of the paper. This will be the distance from the top of the hem’s finished edge. Mark along the line every 3 7/8″ (or the width of your scallops).

  1. Draw a line for the bottom of the scallop. This must be smaller than the hem width (in our case, 1 7/8″). In this case I drew a line 1 3/8″ from the top line.

  1. Using a French curve or a can, draw your scallops. Cut out the template and put it on the fabric.

place the template at the top of the hem or a little lower
  1. Trace the outline of the scallops onto the hem with marking tool. If the scallops are a little off, go ahead and sketch them to fit. It’s okay if it’s not perfect!

take it slow around those curves!
  1. Stitch on the lines. Shorten the stitch length to around 1.8. This makes it so much easier to sew those curves. Start and end at each point. Lift the presser foot and adjust the fabric at each point. Repeat until all scallops are finished.

  1. Trim the seam allowance. Trim close to the edge, about 1/8″.

  1. Carefully snip to the point between each scallop. Get as close to the stitching line as you can without cutting the thread.

  1. Flip hem to the inside. The scallops should look a bit disheveled like so.

move the point turner like a windshield wiper inside the scallop
  1. Push the scallops out. Using the smooth, curved side of your point turner, push along the inside of each scallop. This has to be done a couple of times to really get the scallop in shape. Press each scallop as you go.

  1. Hand stitch the hem for a clean finish.

And a lovely scalloped hem is yours once done! If you decide to try this out, show us what you’ve made in our forum and in our flickr pool. We love seeing our tutorials come to life!

Some related posts you might be interested in:

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin is the Colette Patterns design assistant. You can follow Caitlin at her blog, the story girl.

Comments

Jennifer B

June 27, 2011 #

What a beautiful finish! I love how it feminisms the simple shirt without adding clumps of ruffles or flowers! Adding the weight of the 2nd layer to the finished hem keeps everything in place too.
I can’t wait to try it! Thank you!

Sarai

June 27, 2011 #

Agreed! I like that scallops are girly but not too fussy (though I like the occasional ruffle or flower too!)

Lauren

June 27, 2011 #

y’all must have been reading my mind – i was just thinking about how cute the ginger would look like a scalloped hem! suhhh-weet! can’t wait to try this one out :)

Sarai

June 27, 2011 #

It would look awesome with a scalloped hem! Especially the variation with the sweetheart type waistband?

Emma

June 27, 2011 #

All of the tutorials make it look so easy. They are well written, and the photos are visual descriptive. And, the other tutorials I have tried actually turn out to being easy, following your instructions. Cannot wait to try sewing scalloped hems!

Sarai

June 27, 2011 #

Thanks so much, Emma (from both me and Caitlin). I’m glad you find them clear!

Sunni

June 27, 2011 #

Totally lovely! What a great addition to a hem of any sort really! This is beautiful! xoxo, Sunni

Sarai

June 27, 2011 #

Yeah, it would really work well for any kind of hem, and I also think it would look great on a placket!

michael ann

June 27, 2011 #

how fabulous! thank you so much for this tutorial, i was just wondering the other day how i would make a scalloped hem for a skirt… now i know!

Sarai

June 27, 2011 #

Another nice thing about this technique is that you can use it on existing clothing as well! So if you get a skirt or pair of shorts at a thrift store, it’s pretty easy to add something like this at the hem (provided it’s long enough).

Jane Elise

June 27, 2011 #

That’s so pretty! And so well demonstrated. Thank you.

Angela

June 28, 2011 #

Thanks for this great tutorial! I can’t wait to try it out.

Trisha

June 28, 2011 #

So pretty! I never knew adding scallops to a hem could be so simple. Great, clear directions. Thanks!

One question– when you wash an item with a scallop hem, do the scallops get messed up? It seems like after you slip-stitch the hem, you would no longer be able to use a point-turner, if needed.

Katie

June 29, 2011 #

Thank you so much!!! I swear you are reading my mind, I was just over at BurdaStyle searching for a scalloped hem tutorial! I can’t wait to try this out!

Kerry

July 1, 2011 #

This is so lovely. I love learning about alterations I can make to patterns, it’s really inspiring, and nice to be able to work with a pattern you have (again, thanks for the brilliant Sorbetto pattern!) rather than buy a new one.

Lanetta Sprott

August 25, 2011 #

This is fabulous! What a clever way of handling/creating scallops! Thanks for sharing!

Marissa

September 9, 2011 #

I never realised how simle it was to make

georgie

November 14, 2011 #

Ohhhh thank you, thank you, i just did scallops on a baby dress hem as a separate frill, in a different fabric to main body…and it was WRONG, so thought what now!. Then i thought ask the internet…well i found you and have finished the dress aaand it. is. gorgeous, as is the skirt you made. If i can work out how to do it i will put a pic on for you to see if you like. Again many thanks Georgie x

Meetzorp

December 8, 2011 #

I have made a blouse a lot like that, but with points instead of scallops. It feels a bit Doris Day beach party-ish to me.

Celine

June 18, 2012 #

Thanks so much for the tutorial! It was very useful & the shirt turned out great, definitely going to do this to mine!

Danni

November 26, 2012 #

Awesome! Thank you!

Cutedivas clothing

September 15, 2013 #

What a wonder tutorial

Debra

December 1, 2013 #

I just salvaged a favorite old — but way too long — Mishi brand dress (favorite because of the Made in USA label!) by converting it to a tunic with a scalloped hem. Following the ‘Scalloped Hem Tutorial by Colleterie’ directions probably prevented me from ruining it . . . and in fact it turned out perfect! I now have something beloved and cozy to wear with my leggings through the holidays … and beyond. Thank you!

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