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From: ummanas2003
Date: 04-07-2005, 06:45 PM (1 of 3)
| I have a skirt that has become seriously unraveled at the hem from dragging on the ground (actually there is no hem left!). I checked out a sewing 101 book from the library and my machine supposedly has a blindstich setting, but do i need a separated foot attahcment to use it? On a curved hem item like a pull on skirt, is it easier to hem by hand or machine? Also, how does one go about sewing a curved hem... do i have to put slits in the hem when i turn it under so as to curve it? |
User: ummanas2003
Member since: 12-16-2004 Total posts: 10 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-08-2005, 09:00 AM (2 of 3)
|
You'll loose some of the skirt length because you won't be able to use the parts that are damaged. Cut as little as possible off the skirt before you begin. What kind of hem did it have in it? If it is top stitched, you can turn the edge 1/4 inch twice and top stitch the hem to the skirt. You can also sew this hem by hand if you don't want the hem stitching to show. The smaller the hem on a curved edge, the easier it is to turn. If you are loosing too much and it had, say a 1 1/4 to 2 inch hem, you may want to add a contrasting fabric to the bottom (if it is not sheer) by adding a very small seam and turning. You will need a little larger hem if you are going to use a blind stitch foot (than a rolled hem). My machine's blindstitch foot looks like it has a blade running through it. When you sew the hem, you sew on the hem edge from the inside and the machine throws back a zig-zag stitch to the garment every 3-4 stitches. Then when you are finished, you unfold the hem and it is finished. This takes a pretty decent size hem but it is quick. Most any hem can be put in by hand by a slip stitch if you need to do that. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Magot
Date: 04-08-2005, 10:03 AM (3 of 3)
|
If you don't have a blind hem foot but do have a blind hem stitch you shold be able to get away with it with a zig zag foot. Test ,test, test on scraps of material to make sure that you can sew in a straight line parallel to the finished seam and not into the front of the fabric, and to make sure the extra 'bite' stitch is positioned correctly. If you have a lot of skirt to hem you may need to run a slight gathering stitch around the very bottom to pukk up the fullness in the hem rather than slice chunks out of the hem or pleat the spare fabric into the hem. The gathering will help to spread this fullness evenly around the skirt and then you can hem away. For a very curved hem I prefer to hand sew a hem. Having said that my young friend very successfully blind hemmed a fishtail type back to an evening dress last week. I think it was the tacking that did the trick. I always find with a blind hem that I have to relearn how to do it each time as it doesn't seem to make sense to me how you fold the fabric until I do a test and can "see" it. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
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