I am looking for instruction on hemming up a blanket that I will be
hanging on the wall.  The blanket is currently too tall to hang, so I
want to fold one side under and hem it up.  I could easily take it to
a shop that does alterations and have them put a seam in, but then I
would not learn anything!  I will be doing this by hand with a spool
of thread, a needle, and zero previous experience performing any sort
of sewing.

I need some websites that describe or illustrate how to do a simple
seam or hem line.  Keep in mind that I don't even know the proper way
to tie off the thread (I'm assuming it DOES get tied off at some
point?), so the more descriptive and detailed, the better.

Hi legomaniac!

Relax!  Sewing a hem by hand, while a bit time consuming, is really
simple.  Irritatingly enough, most web pages devoted to sewing assume
you're going to do it with a machine.  I did find a great little
sewing guide for hand stitching, though!

Sew What at DigsMagazine offers a simple, step by step description of
the basic hemming stitch:

"Hemming stitch: Use this stitch for, you guessed it, hemming. 

1. Hide the knot within the hem, and pull the threaded needle up
through the hem.

2. Moving further along the sewing "line" (with this stitch, you're
actually making little diagonal stitches on either side of the line
marked by the edge of the hem), use the needle to gather a few threads
of the fabric that lies just outside the hem, and pull the needle
through gently. (Keep the gathered bits of fabric small to ensure a
nice, nearly-invisible stitch on the front side of the fabric.)

3. Push the needle back down through hem fold, but not all the way
through to the front side of the fabric. Pull the needle out from
under the fold.

4. To continue stitching, repeat starting from step 2."

Hemming
http://www.digsmagazine.com/lounge/lounge_sewing3.htm

There's a nice illustration, so you can see what the stitch should
look like, and there are also instructions for getting started to
begin with (also illustrated!).

Sew What?
http://www.digsmagazine.com/lounge/lounge_sewing.htm

Of course, the site doesn't discuss finishing it off.  There are a
couple methods you can use.  Easiest for you would be to make a few
back stitches (see the tutorial) at the end of your hem, then pass the
needle and thread several times through two or three of the completed
backstitches to anchor it.

Alternatively, sew a small cross-stitch (an X) at the end of the hem. 
Pass the needle under the X first from left to right, then from top to
bottom, then from right to left, then from bottom to top.  Repeat this
several times, trim the thread, and you'll be anchored off!

I've tried to illustrate the anchoring stitches for you - I hope my
unsteady hands haven't made it too confusing for you:

http://www.darkfriends.net/princessmoo/extras/STITCH.jpg

I hope this helps!  If you need further assistance, please don't
hesitate to ask.  I'll be glad to help!

Good luck!

--Missy

Search terms:  [ "sew a hem" by hand ].  I'm also an avid
needlepointer and cross-stitcher.

Wow, great site you found there!  You'll know if I was successful or
not if you see a question "First Aid 101 - Bandaging Needle Pricks" 
;-)

I'm definately lucky that missy-ga picked up this question, since her
answers are always right on the money!

p.s.  Thanks for the drawing too!  I couldn't help but check out the
rest of your website, "Maggie's House".  Love the fairies! :-)