How to Hem Satin Pants, Ribbon, and Dresses with Satin Fabric

Satin is a dream of a fabric, with its lovely drape, smooth touch, and shiny sheen. Until you’re ready to put it to use. It might swiftly shift from a dream to a nightmare at this stage. Not only does sewing with satin have a steep learning curve, but even simply cutting it with scissors can be dangerous. If you cut at an incorrect angle or with a dull blade, you’ll wind up with a frayed, snagged mess.

Fortunately, there are solutions available. If you master the proper cutting technique (more on that in the next lesson) and the perfect hemming procedure, you’ll never have to worry about fraying again.

Does Satin Fray When Cut?

Satin is famous for a number of reasons, including the disconcerting propensity of fraying like billy-o when cut. But it’s not unavoidable; with a few tips and tactics, you’ll be able to cut and work with satin without fear of it practically falling apart at the seams.

How do You Stop Satin from Fraying?

First and first, never, ever use a pair of scissors that is even slightly dull. Before using the scissors, sharpen them as much as possible. Not only will this prevent fraying, but it will also protect the satin from another typical problem: pulled threads.

However, just because your scissors are razor-sharp doesn’t mean you’re safe. If you don’t want your seams to unravel in the future, make sure they’re correctly completed, whether that involves pinking, serging, or zigzagging them.

Can You Hem Satin?

Yes, you may hem satin to prevent fraying, and you’re almost obligated to do so… Unless, of course, you use a different option.

We’ll go over the whys and wherefores of hemming in more detail later, but for now, here are two other frayed solutions.

Sew a straight line of stitches down one side of the seam allowance for fray-proof edges. The stitches should be around 14 inches away from the edge. Using pinking shears, trim 1/8 inch off the edge. To complete, press the seam.

Apply a little amount of liquid seam sealer around the raw edge of the cloth to stop any unraveling in its tracks. To avoid it transferring to other portions of the fabric, go slowly and make sure it’s entirely dry before contacting it.

What Thread do You Use for Satin?

If you’re going to the trouble of stitching satin, you’ll need to know a few things.

First and foremost, only use the sharpest needles you have in your arsenal. The ideal needles are Micotex needles, however a lightweight universal point needle would suffice. If you’re working on a very thin satin, resist the need to use ordinary needles; otherwise, you risk snagging the fabric.

Second, make sure you use the right thread. Cotton wrapped polyester, extra-fine mercerized cotton, and 100% polyester long staple thread all perform well.

How do You Hem Satin by Hand?

Hemming satin by hand can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Hand-rolled hems look really nice on satin, and they’re well worth the effort.

The Method

Step 1: Find something to use as a weight so you can draw the fabric taut while you sew (this is especially important for slippery fabrics like satin). Begin by sewing a row of stitches all the way around the edge. Stitches should be around 14 inches away from the edge (if you want a hand sewn finish but are happy enough to use a machine when called for, you can use a sewing machine for this part).
Step 2: Trim as near as possible to the stitching. Trim no more than 6 inches at a time to avoid unraveling the fabric.
Step 3: Pull the fabric taut and hold it between your thumb and forefinger in step three. Roll the fabric until the stitches are hidden.
Step 4: Use a slipstitch to secure the hem, working your way around the entire hem. When you’re done, resist the urge to press the hem because it will destroy the aesthetic of the roll.

Best Hem Stitch for Satin

If you’re going to sew satin with your sewing machine, a zigzag stitch is the ideal option. It’ll not only keep your hem secure, but it’ll also be lightweight and won’t leave any unsightly stitch marks on the exposed side of the garment.

How to Hem Satin Without Sewing

There’s no avoiding the truth that stitching satin is difficult. Given that even the most experienced home seamstresses tremble at the prospect of working with this notoriously difficult fabric, it’s natural that individuals who struggle with needles would rather do anything else. Hemming satin, fortunately, does not need sewing a single stitch… at least, not if you don’t want to.

The Hemming Tape Method

Hemming tape makes the job of hemming much easier. A spool of hemming tape, an iron, and a steady hand are all you’ll need.

Step 1 – Begin by folding the garment’s hem to the desired length. Check that the hem is straight all the way around. Silk pins are used to secure the piece.
Step 2: Set your iron to a low temperature (if you have a delicates setting, so much the better). Make sure not to iron over the pinheads when pressing the hem in place. Remove the pins but keep the iron on for the following step.
Step 3: Insert a length of iron-on hem tape into the hem’s crease. Cover the first part of hem you want to iron with a damp cloth, then push down with the iron for 3-5 seconds. Repeat the process around the rest of the hem.

The Fabric Glue Method

This approach is simple to use; just make sure the glue doesn’t get wherever it shouldn’t.

Step 1 – Begin by folding the garment’s hem to the desired length. Check that the hem is straight all the way around. Silk pins are used to secure the piece.
Step 2: Set your iron to a low temperature (if you have a delicates setting, so much the better). Make sure not to iron over the pinheads when pressing the hem in place. Take out the pins.
Step 3 – Squeeze a thin line of glue into the hem’s crease and push the two fabric sides together. Silk pins can be used to help keep the fabric together while the glue sets. Allow the glue to cure according to the manufacturer’s directions (usually, this will be between 2- 4hours). Allow at least 48 hours between washes and don’t handle the fabric while it dries. Hemming Satin Pants. Do you need to hem a pair of satin pants? This is what you must do.

How to Hem Satin Pants

Do you need to hem a pair of satin pants? This is what you must do.

The Method

Step 1: Determine how much of the pant length needs to be cut off. Fold the fabric to the appropriate length and secure with silk pins. Turn the inside-out pants inside-out.
Step 2: Measure the distance between the edge of the pant legs and the hemline fold on both legs and make sure they are the same length.
Step 3: Press the crease in the fold with a low-temperature iron.
Step 4: Using a fabric pen, measure up 12 inches from the hemline and record the distance. Rep with the opposite leg.
Step 5: To avoid unraveling, remove the pins and cut along the lines formed in the previous step with pinking shears. Pin the hemline back in place after trimming both legs.
Step 6: Sew the new hems in place with a zigzag stitch. The stitching line should be around 12 inches from the hem edge.

How to Stop Satin Ribbon from Fraying

Stopping the tide from turning can be as difficult as stopping a satin ribbon from fraying. Within seconds of cutting a length, it’s already unraveling. The issue is that satin loves to fray. It’s just the way it is. If you want to keep your ribbon looking perfect, you’ll need to discover a strategy to battle the fabric’s natural inclinations. Fortunately, it’s not quite as complicated as it appears. That is, assuming you have the proper scissors….

The Method

Step 1: Snip the ribbon at a 45-degree angle with a pair of ultra-sharp sewing scissors (for a beautiful edge with high fray-resistance, use pinking shears instead). If you wish, you can cut a V shape into the fabric.
Step 2: Snip any remaining dangling threads after making the cut. Any stubborn threads can be smoldering with a flame (but take careful, satin is flammable). To keep the edges from unraveling, use anti-fray spray. If you don’t have any spray, paint the edge with clear nail polish. Allow for thorough drying of the polish before storing or using the ribbon.

How to Hem Satin Ribbon

Satin ribbons can be wonderful… when they aren’t fraying. Try this simple hemming procedure to keep your ribbons looking decent — it’s designed to remedy the problem if a tiny bit of fraying has already started, but it also works as a preventative step.

The Method

Step 1: Lay the ribbon flat on a clean, hard surface in step one.
Step 2: Using pinking shears, trim the ribbon’s edges.
Step 3: Sew the edge using a zigzag stitch if you’re using a machine. A tiny straight stitch will suffice if you’re stitching by hand.
Step 4: Apply an anti-fray spray to the ribbon’s edge to seal it (you should be able to pick up a can at most craft and fabric stores).

Hemming a Satin Skirt

You have several alternatives for hemming a satin skirt. We’ve already discussed how to hem a garment with hem tape or fabric glue, but there are a few other options:

Serging – If you have a serger, hemming a skirt is a piece of cake. Simple serge the unfished hem, making sure to shave a few threads along the way for a neat finish.

Sewing – The last thing you want to do when sewing with a beautiful fabric like satin is create unattractive ridges in the hem. A three-step zig-zag stitch (one that sews three small zig zags with each stitch) is an excellent choice.

Best Way to Hem a Satin Dress

Satin dresses may appear to be divine, but every seamstress knows how difficult they are to deal with. While hemming a satin dress will never be a pleasurable experience, you may make it a lot easier with this simple solution.

The Method

Step 1: Preheat your iron to a low setting; if your iron has a delicates or satin setting, try it now.
Step 2 – Assuming you’ll be hemming and shortening the dress, calculate how much of the edge has to be taken, plus an extra 12 for a seam allowance. Trim the fabric as needed, but only with the sharpest pair of scissors in your toolbox. You may skip this step and go straight to step 3 if your dress is already the perfect length.
Step 3: Fold the raw edge inside the dress to the inside. The fold should be roughly 14 inches. Place the crease where you want it.
Step 4 – Fold the dress’s edge up by 1/4 inch and press the crease once more.
Step 5 – Stitch the hem in place with your sewing machine, keeping the line of stitches about 1/4 inch from the folded edge. Give the hem a last push once you’ve finished working your way around the dress.