All I found in a search was Italian hem stitch used in making fringe on afghans.

see if this lhttp://books.google.com/books?id=L40Jm9_e6sEC&pg=PA458&lpg=PA458&dq=Italian+hem&source=web&ots=rbGLYn7L-X&sig=YZFzu0VceDOaptD9PWWBBZ8XZd0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA463,M1ink will help you

Here is a link that might be useful: http://books.google.com/books?id=L40Jm9_e6sEC&pg=PA458&lpg=PA458&dq=Italian+hem&source=web&ots=rbGLYn7L-X&sig=YZFzu0VceDOaptD9PWWBBZ8XZd0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA463,M1

I believe the Italian hem refers to a technique primarily used to hem jeans. After determining how much needs to be hemmed, you cut off the original hem with a little extra for seam allowance and set that section aside. Cut off the amount needed to shorten from the leg of the jeans, then resew the original hem to the now shortened section. You probably need to then stitch in the ditch alongside the stitched section. I haven't been happy with mine done this way - the hems are bulkier and want to turn up.

The purpose behind this is to preserve to look of the original distressed-looking hem.

Helene