How to hem a nylon and lace full slip

The easiest way to hem a full slip is by creating a tuck near the bottom. Even when the result is a deep tuck it will not ruin the look of the slip. The extra weight at the hem makes the slip hang better.

My reason for preferring to make a tuck is because my sewing machine only has very basic stitches. There are few stitches whether multi-zigzag or blind hemming that work well with the delicate, stretchy nylon of the slips I purchase.

I do not recommend cutting away the extra length unless you do have those stretch stitches or a merrow machine to finish the edges. When the slip has hemline lace you could use the stretch stitches by overlaying the lace on the right side of the slip, about 1/8 to 1/4″ above the new hemline. If you do not have such stitches and prefer to hand sew here is one way to do it.

1. From 1/8 to 1/4″ above the hemline lace on the right side, measure up the depth of the amount needed to raise the hemline. Mark with white, clay chalk.
2. Pick up along the 1/8 to 1/4″ line above the hemline lace and bring up to the chalk marked line.
3. Use fine, long silk pins to pin the hem in place.
4. Thread a long, fine hand sewing needle with a single strand of cotton basting thread conditioned by passing through a dryer strip. I find a #10 sharp works well. Experiment to find the best needle for your own hemming.
5. Baste the hem in place along the folded line. Remove the pins.
6. Pass a long strand of poly-cotton sewing thread through beeswax to coat and prevent tangling. Use it as a single strand with a the same sharp, long hand sewing needled you used in Step 4.
7. Use a very tiny running stitch all around the tuck. This line should be about 1/8″ down from the tuck.
8. Make a second line of tiny running stitches about 1/4-3/4″ below the first line of stitches.
9. The running stitch should not be too tight to prevent puckering. If you hand wash and line dry the slip the stitches remain stable and will not break.
10. They hold up to machine washing, too, if the slip is washed in a lingerie bag during a delicate cycle.