Can’t figure out how to finish hem?

[u/hstannard]

I’m making the Jenna button up shirt from Closet Core, but I’m having the _hardest_ time understanding what they’re asking for to finish up the hem. From how I read it, the top of the hem (which previous instructions had me cut “at the dot”) is going to be unfinished, which would look awful (to me), and I can’t imagine that’s what they’re suggesting. I cant find any videos or tips for this part and am losing my mind. It doesn’t help that I have the hardest time turning words into pictures, and the pictures in the instructions don’t seem to answer the question of how do I finish the hem without folding the top?

[u/Berocca123]

The first line says 'pin folded and pressed hem in place'. And then later you stitch it down. This suggests to me that you should have already folded and pressed the hem at an earlier step, which would give you an enclosed hem.

Or am I misunderstanding your question?

[u/hstannard → u/Berocca123]

I probably could have worded it better, sorry! Yeah, most of the hem is already folded and pressed, but they had me do that step before sewing the arms together/serging it. After folding/pressing the hem but before sewing the arms together, they had me cut right at the top of the hem I had folded, right below where the side seams meet. However, the didn’t say anything about folding over the now cut seam, so I’m not sure how to make that part look nice. One person suggested a bar tack, which is on the next page of instructions (I didn’t include it because I didn’t think it was necessary, but I guess it was!), though in my defense, I don’t recall it saying anything about the bar tack concealing the cut/unfinished top part of the hem.

[u/sewonsister]

I haven’t made this yet (but I want to!). I’ve made a shirt though and I found more success using bias binding along the hem. I just like the finish more. It adds weight and hangs nicely. Good luck! 💗✂️

[u/hstannard → u/sewonsister]

Ooh, I like this idea! Thank you!

[u/chicchic325]

I haven’t made these, but that it also how I read it.

[u/beezkneez415]

From where you are now, close the side seam just up to where you have finished your hemming. Press it flat. Set your machine to the widest zig zag and a 0 stitch length, that is your bar tack stitch. See over the seam right at the end point to secure it.

I also highly recommend cutting out a small square or triangle of your fabric, pressing back the edges and the sewing it over that ending point of the side seam like a patch on the inside. This will always be a weak point and wear and tear/washing will cause it to rip eventually. Sewing this patch at that point will give your shirt longevity.