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From: dhuff74
Date: 09-17-2003, 11:24 PM (1 of 15)
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How do I go about sewing a rounded hem. I have an article of clothing that is a D shape and I can't get the rounded hem to look right. I'm taking my time, but it's still not right. HELP and thanks in advance!
Blessings,
Dawn Mama to 4...with #5 due in August 2004! |
User: dhuff74
Member since: 06-02-2001 Total posts: 1 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-18-2003, 08:05 AM (2 of 15)
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Sometimes it helps if you sew a line right where you want to turn up the hem then press it up along the line. An ease line along the edge that is turned up can help too. If it is a tight curve try both and lots of steam to shrink the fabric edge in place. I'm sure someone else may have a more traditional solution. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stitchmd
Date: 09-18-2003, 08:33 AM (3 of 15)
| In addition to Dorothy's methods I make a template from cardboard to iron the hem over in a smoothe curve and make both sides match. I also hand baste at the most curved places to help keep things from scrunching up when machine stitching. |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: Skye
Date: 09-18-2003, 08:15 PM (4 of 15)
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I have 2 methods depending on mood and my fabric. Run a gathering stitch around curve and ease the excess or my favourite is I increase the diff feed on my serger as I go round the curves and then stitch up the narrow hem either my hand or usually by machine That cardboard trick sounds great to get a crisp line  I have been out shopping for patterns today all at half price wouldn't you know the one i really wanted they didn't have but as luck would have they will order in at the reduced price now that is a first usually they wont take orders when they are running a promo Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Kasparcat
Date: 09-23-2003, 03:51 PM (5 of 15)
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I have to echo Libby here. I learned to sew in the 1960s on a Singer Touch n Sew with a hinged foot and I have never, in my life, sewn on a machine that didn't have one. I ALWAYS sew over perpendicularly placed pins, except when I am making fitted slipcovers that were pinned with the pins along the seam line, they have to be removed as you go along. Once in a blue moon, the needle hits a pin square-on and it bends the pin, which I then throw out. Once in a blue moon, I break a needle but it doesn't fly anywhere because the top thread is on it. I have never, ever gotten hit by flying pins. I have never had anything on my sewing machines break from sewing over pins. Now, granted, I don't have one of those new-fangled computer chip machines, maybe they are sensitive to it. If so, let me stay with my all-metal machine that sews blue-jean seams with no problem. I'd far rather have the convenience of being able to sew over pins. Rani |
User: Kasparcat
Member since: 09-23-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-24-2003, 08:57 AM (6 of 15)
Hi Kasparcat, welcome to Sew Whats New.  I have never been hit by a broken needle either, but my boss was. She had it sticking out of her cheek. She was rushing and didn't take out the pins. No real injury, just a scare. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Kasparcat
Date: 09-24-2003, 02:34 PM (7 of 15)
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Thanks for the welcome, Mary. I'm glad she wasn't injured by a flying pin. You know what I'd ask, though? When buying a new machine, ask if it meant to sew over pins. It sounds like, for most folks, problems from this are a very rare occurence. I probably won't post here that often. I became wheelchair-enabled last year and sewing is one of those activities that has, sadly, fallen to the wayside. I have a machine in a console and the pedal is rigged up as a leg-press, but it's no longer accessible. I am crochetting as a substitute, but it's not the same. Rani |
User: Kasparcat
Member since: 09-23-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 09-24-2003, 03:55 PM (8 of 15)
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I Rani and welcome. Don't despair of not being able to sew on your machine. You should try quilting. You can hand piece and hand quilt. Lot of people who quilt prefer to do it by hand rather than by machine. I have a friend who does all of her quilting by hand piecing and quilting. She has made some lovely quilts since I've known her. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Kasparcat
Date: 09-24-2003, 04:18 PM (9 of 15)
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What a good idea, hand-quilting! I have next-to-no-experience with quilting. I was a counselor in a Girl Scout day camp program one time where were doing old-time pioneer crafts and had a quilter come in and each of the girls made a square and If there are any hand-quilters on the list, I'd sure love to know if there's a website or book you'd recommend for getting started. I have a really great book on power-quilting, which of course, makes me miss my machine terribly. Rani |
User: Kasparcat
Member since: 09-23-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-24-2003, 05:30 PM (10 of 15)
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Kasparcat, try the quilting by hand. You will be so addicted in no time. sigh, wish I could crochet. Mine always ends up in the garbage.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-24-2003, 06:56 PM (11 of 15)
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Rani, I am taking a quilting class at our Shepherd's Center for this six week period. (a class a week) we are each working on something of our choosing this go-round. Our Instructor brought lots of ideas for us to choose from.. She brought in a quilt top (full sized) for us to see if we liked the pattern and she had done it all with a needle and thread.. Curved lines she couldn't match right with machine sewing.. It is beautiful... I do not know the name of the pattern, but it looks like a circle with a bite taken out of each side. The way it is put together is one up and 1 sideways all the way down the row.. and the 2nd row the opposite.. Another one she does is what she calls 'Bricks'. pieces of cloth size of bricks and laid out like brick laying.. (every other row starts with half a brick).. That made with just scraps .. She makes that for boys and men.. That curved one I mentioned.. just visualize a smiley face with indentions into the cheeks (reverse curves) that would be great for hand work... you could make wall hangings, quilts, lap robes, place mats, all full size quilts, whatever...There are a lot of websites with free geometric block patterns also.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-25-2003, 07:04 PM (12 of 15)
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I went to class today and that pattern name was, 'apple core' .. She said that was one of many names for that pattern... Maybe you can find it on the internet by doing a google search..Just thought I would add this to my notes above..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: MaryW
Date: 09-26-2003, 05:17 AM (13 of 15)
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I've seen that one Libby. Only one piece and it looks so nice. At first I thought you were referring to Drunkards Path.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-26-2003, 06:03 PM (14 of 15)
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Another name for it has something to do with an axe (sp). But I cannot remember the other word with it.. it does resemble an ax to me , though.. Without the handle , of course..(we always spelled it ax, not axe)... I don't know which is right..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-26-2003, 06:41 PM (15 of 15)
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Rani, here is the link to instructions and pictures of a couple of rows of Apple Core...http://www.quilttalk.com/swaps/Y2K%20Patterns/Y2KAppleCore.html Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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