Burda Style For people who sew

I learned this technique from the tailor at The Row - and it has revolutionized my sewing skills. I can now create the narrowest baby hems that do not curl!

Technique Materials

ban roll, fabric for baby hemming (chiffon, silk, organza)

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16 Comments Sign in to add a post

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  May 13, 2013, 12.47 AMby skysthelimit

  It seems like the back side of the hem is not “finished.” Will it not just unravel?
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  May 5, 2013, 09.26 PMby Renee A Davis

  This is such a great tutorial, however, I have not been able to find Ban Rol by the yard…I do not want to pay for a whole role. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase anywhere from 5~10 yds of this. Thank you.

  Renee A
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  Sep 28, 2012, 09.08 PMby Shannon Simpson

  You can buy it for .30 a yard at http://www.bblackandsons.com

  1 Reply

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    Feb 3, 2013, 10.21 PMby summerset

    But if you look at the closeup picture, it looks nothing like the one in this post.

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  Sep 27, 2012, 03.22 PMby gopbecky

  I stumbled upon a bunch of Ban Rol and I’m selling it here for close to $1/yd. http://www.etsy.com/shop/OwlyBaby?ref=si_shop
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  Aug 12, 2012, 04.00 PMby Christine Smith

  When done correctly, does the 1/2 inch of fabric stitched to the comb get trimmed off or does it get folded into the finished hem? Thanks
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  Jul 19, 2012, 05.41 PMby Melanie Tibayan

  Is a ban roll the same thing as this http://sewtrue.com/Search.html?category=0&searchterm=ban? Do they sell this at Hancock Fabrics?
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  Apr 8, 2012, 12.22 AMby presstoplay

  Thank you for sharing such a great technique!
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  Feb 8, 2012, 12.29 AMby sharkscanbiteme

  The ban rol was a bit hard to track down in my area (had to buy it online), but I’ve found this technique incredibly useful. Thank you so much!

  Oh, and for anyone else using this tutorial, I’ve found that ironing between steps 5 and 6 is important for getting the best hem. It’s hard to describe in words, but to get the crispest hem I actually iron twice, once after each time I flip the ban rol.
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  Oct 5, 2011, 05.35 PMby mandamagpie

  that looks just like the canvas they sell for doing tapestry… must try it with that.
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  Oct 5, 2011, 04.21 PMby molson1

  The item used in this tutorial is called Ban Rol. It took me awhile to find it, too.
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  Oct 5, 2011, 04.17 PMby tuscadero

  I, too, would like to know what a “ban roll” is. This is a great technique to use!
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  Oct 5, 2011, 03.04 PMby CreatingCin

  Kriselmer, I was wondering the same thing. When I google “ban roll” it is only showing me elastic for waistbands. That won’t work though if the purpose of it is to keep the fabric from stretching.

  1 Reply

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    Oct 5, 2011, 08.07 PMby inkanyezi

    The ban roll you found via Google isn’t elastic, it’s a stiffening for waistbands. I can see that this would work. The idea about the tapestry canvas might also work – you need something made of thread that the sewing machine needle won’t penetrate, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to pull it out.
    This is a very neat technique!

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  Oct 5, 2011, 03.01 PMby kriselmer

  Amazing! Thanks for sharing. Now question: I’m not totally sure what ban roll is… but it looks similar to buckram – would that work as well? Possibly not as practical to buy 5 yards of though I’d say.
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  Oct 5, 2011, 09.38 AMby studiostitches

  Hi This is really helpful. How do you do corners with it? I’m edging some rectangular silk scarves. Thanks
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  Oct 4, 2011, 11.02 PMby wardrobe-cat

  THANKYOU!!!!! I do a lot of chiffon, this will be a boon! How well does it work for curves? I’m thinking ballgowns.
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  Sep 23, 2011, 07.30 PMby Marla Rodriguez

  genius!