Sewing Corners With a Double-Fold Hem
Stacy GrissomDescription
Mitered corners are a great way to create professional looking results when sewing corners. Many times mitered corners are associated with quilts or other projects that are being finished with some kind of a binding. However, Stacy Grissom demonstrates how to create a mitered corner while doing a double fold hem around the edge of a project.
Double Fold Hem
When finishing an edge with a hem, there are many different types of hems to choose from. Different hemming or stitching techniques are often used based on the different types of fabric being sewn or the overall finished look that is desired. When it comes to home decor projects, simple garments or fun projects made from cotton or another easy to press fabric, a double fold hem is a great choice. In this video, Stacy shows how she is using a ½” double fold hem all along the edge of her project.
Mitered Corners
After Stacy has a double fold hem pressed in place, she demonstrates her technique for sewing corners with a mitered fold. Stacy unfolds and traces the two lines of her hem at the corners of her fabric roughly a few inches from each edge. The two traced lines from each side create a square in the corner, which she traces on both the right and wrong side of the fabric. She then shows how creating the mitered corner is as simple as trimming off the corner of the fabric and then refolding the double fold hem.
Tools
When sewing hems, whether you are sewing corners or simply sewing along one straight edge, there are several tools that can make it easier. One of those tools is a hem gauge. A hem gauge is a small ruler with a slide that can be set at any measurement up to seven inches. Once the slide is set, it is quick and easy to consistently measure an accurate hem along any edge. Another tool that Stacy uses, especially when sewing corners with a mitered fold, is basting tape. Basting tape holds the hem securely in place until you are ready to sew it and eliminates the need for pins.
Miter corners can seem really intimidating at first, but they're actually a lot more simple than you expect them to be. To start out, you're going to do a double-fold hem. So you can see that I've got that going here. I've unfolded my double-fold hem, and to make it easier for you to see, I've got my corner outlined in red. And these green lines are just the continuation of my double-fold hem. I used a half-inch double-fold hem for this. Once you've got your square, you're gonna draw a line from corner to corner, and then we're actually going to cut that off. I've also traced that same square on the back. So now you're going to fold this over, and what you want to have happen is to see those lines connecting. So if you look here, the green and red are connected there and there. Once you've got that, you'll iron it so that it stays down. And my ink is going to disappear because it's an iron-off ink. It's really handy when you're working on projects. And now you're going to take your double-fold hem and just refold it, another little iron, just so that it stays put to your other side. We have a lot of fabric here. When I do a double-fold hem, to get it to stay put, instead of using pins, I like to use basting tape. So I've already got this one, and now we'll fold that one to meet it. Give it an iron. Give it some steam. Now you can see that your corner comes together nice and neat. So again, I like to use the basting tape instead of pins, especially on something like this that's long. That way I don't end up pinning my project to myself, or poking myself. So you get your corner done, then you can continue with the rest of your double-fold hem. And then you'll go sew it when you are at that point in your project. See how nice and neat that corner looks? Not that hard.
THE BEST most clear tutorial for mitered corners! Thank you!!
Great video. Thank you for new technique. Where do you get your iron off ink?
This is a neat method but I don’t understand why you didn’t turn your cutting board/ironing board around as you’re right handed. It looks so clumsy and a bit dangerous.
I love this technique. It is so versatile. You can make the folds wide or narrow depending on the look you want. Plus you you have the option to use the decorative stitches later.
I found this video enormously helpful. Thank you.
Isn't it easier to sew the seam across the folds so you make sure you have the perfect miter every time instead of folding the corners in to meet up?
I found this helpful and can see how it will help me, especially when sewing with bulky fabric. My question involves the iron shown in the video. What was on the iron that caused it to raise and lower or is this specific to the type of iron being used?
Why didn't she go ahead and actually sew it so a beginner can see how it should look? Just sayin.
Great job! It looks easily done!
How did you iron and not burn yourself?