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From: mzorn
Date: 11-08-2003, 07:15 PM (1 of 7)
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I have a lot of projects I would like to start and some to complete, but I don't know how to hem. I only sew things that can be flipped inside out. Or stuff like vests that don't need hems. How do you use a hemmer foot to hem?????? I have a hemmer foot with a spiral thingy and I can't figure out how it works. Isn't it supposed to turn your fabric under and stitch the hem? If anyone can explain it or better yet knows of website with pictures I would love to hear from you. Thank you, Melinda Z 
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User: mzorn
Member since: 04-14-2002 Total posts: 22 |
From: sewnfrenzy
Date: 11-08-2003, 08:04 PM (2 of 7)
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I don't have any pics to show you but I can tell you how I do a simple hem. For most all general clothing like pj pants, shorts or tops. I fold up my bottom edge 1/2", press it down, then fold up again 1/2" and press it down. Then I just sew it closed all the way around. (sometimes I do 1/4" instead of the 1/2") It's simple, easy and quick and encases all your raw edges. Trish So much Fabric, so little time.
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User: sewnfrenzy
Member since: 11-06-2001 Total posts: 39 |
From: Debzy
Date: 11-09-2003, 01:32 PM (3 of 7)
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if you have an overlocker then a good way of narrow hemming is to overlock the raw edge, then turn it up (just the width of the overlocking) and sew close to the edge. if you have a foot with a guide on (such as a blind hem guide) then this makes it even easier... as for those spirally-narrow hem feet, they are great when you get the hang of them but it's hard to explain how to use them! i think you need to see one in use. is there a friendly sewing shop nearby where you can go and ask?basically, starting off is the hardest bit. the way i've been shown, you need to turn the raw edge under, then again so that the raw edge is enclosed (like the foot actually does) then sew with a straight stitch for a little bit (about half an inch) just to get started. then, pull up the raw edge, into the spiral, and line it up with the edge of the spiral. i think i just made that sound harder than it actually is.  have a play with it and see how you get on. if there is a site with pix i'd love to know! or maybe i should just make my own lol |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: mzorn
Date: 11-09-2003, 03:42 PM (4 of 7)
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When using the spiral hem foot do you still have to fold and press the hem first? Thanks, Melinda |
User: mzorn
Member since: 04-14-2002 Total posts: 22 |
From: auzzi
Date: 11-09-2003, 08:06 PM (5 of 7)
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Instructions from Singer for hemmer foot: "FOOT HEMMER - Hemming Raise the needle to its highest point. Remove the presser foot, and attach the foot hemmer in its place. Clip off the right hand corner of the cloth, so that it will take the roll easily. Turn up the edge about a quarter of an inch and insert it in the mouth of the hemmer. Draw or push it along until under the needle. Then let down the presser bar and after taking tow of three stitches, draw gently on the ends of the threads to help the work along till the feed catches it. In order to produce a smooth even hem, the moth of the hemmer must be kept just full." Instructions From Hayes Sewing Centre:- "THE HEMMERS No doubt you often find the making of a small hem a troublesome task. To measure, crease, pin, and baste a narrow hem, takes time and patience. However, when one of the Hemmers is used, all of these operations are eliminated. By a simple manipulation of the fabric, you can make a hem about 1/4, 3/8, 5/8, or 7/8 inch in width, depending on which of the hemmers you use. Of course the smallest hemmer makes the 1/4 inch hem, and the largest, the 7/8 inch hem. After the regular presser foot has been removed and replaced with the attachment foot, the hemmer can be slipped into place. Then the threads are put under and in back of the attachment. The fabric is inserted between the narrow, horizontal band and the rounded prong, and then twisted up and over the rounded prong, and finally allowed to curl under it. If you examine your Hemmer, you will notice that the cloth follows the direction of the narrow band. When you insert the cloth, hold it in both hands and draw the material back and forth a few times as you feed the cloth into the Hemmer so that the scroll is filled completely. Remember, the fabric has to fold under a portion of the rounded prong. If the cloth does not curl under easily, fold the raw edges of the material over 1/8 inch for about 2 inches. When the scroll is filled, draw the cloth into position so that the stitching will start close to the end. Then lower the presser bar and begin to stitch. Guide the material gently so that the scroll remains filled. Place the left hand lightly on the cloth, retarding its progress slightly. If too little material is fed into the Hemmer, the raw edges of the fabric will not be turned under, and if too much is allowed to enter the scroll, an uneven hem will result." |
User: auzzi
Member since: 10-28-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: mzorn
Date: 11-09-2003, 10:53 PM (6 of 7)
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Thank you for all the helpful instruction on hemming. I tried my spiral hemmer foot. I did get the tablecloth hemmed, but I need alot of practice. I had trouble keeping it the same measurement all the way around. It was really hard to keep the fabric in the foot. When using that foot do you still use the seam allowance guide lines on the side to keep it at 1/4, 1/2 or whatever it is you need it to be??????? Thank you, Melinda |
User: mzorn
Member since: 04-14-2002 Total posts: 22 |
From: auzzi
Date: 11-16-2003, 06:26 AM (7 of 7)
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I am not familiar with a spiral hemmer foot - I can only talk about the ordinary hemmer foot. Each hemmer foot should be listed as 3mm, 4mm, 6mm - that indicates the type of hem eg "This foot is designed to curl under a 3mm double hem while stitching with either a straight stitch or a decorative stitch" I usually mark the seam line and trim the seam width to size - I prefer the 6mm [1/4 inch] hemmer, although I have played with the smaller ones. I have found the easiest way to keep the scroll full of fabric [might seem a bit awkard at first]: 1. feed the material into the foot 2. place right hand behind the foot, holding the fabric but not pulling it [it is going to be the guiding hand] 3. take the fabric in you left hand, move it to the left-hand side and ELEVATE it about 6 inches OFF the table. 4. holding it taut, but not pulling it tight, SLOWLY start to stitch with the right hand guiding from the back 5. as you stitch you can gently move the fabric to the left to keep the scroll full 6. straight stitch is okay but a slight zigzag is better. Try a length 2.5 X width 1 or two [my janome length 0-5 and width is 0-6] 7. speciality stitches based on zigzag look very professional and are good fun 8. slow and steady produces a good hem - speed produces drop-offs |
User: auzzi
Member since: 10-28-2003 Total posts: 56 |
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