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From: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-11-2005, 09:36 PM (1 of 13)
Hello! Not sure were this should be posted at. I have a Baby Lock serger and I recently purchased a blindhem foot. I once tried to do a blindhem on the New Home (Janome) sewing machine but couldn't figure out how to do it. Does anyone know where a website is that gives details and pictures on how to do this? The rep for the Baby Lock machine is about 2 hrs. away!  argh! I bought a ruffler for the serger and it's so EASY and FAST! These machines were my Mother's and she passed away. Right before she died she made me and my sister promise her that we would use them. We have learned alot in the past 5 yrs. through lots of trial, error and gritting of teeth! lol  Thanks for anything you can tell me! Auntie_Pam |
User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10 
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From: paroper
Date: 11-11-2005, 10:38 PM (2 of 13)
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It is not all that hard to use a blindhemmer on the sewing machine. Do you want to use a serger blindhemmer or the sewing machine or both?
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: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-12-2005, 10:30 AM (3 of 13)
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pam, Hello! Yes, I'd like to learn both of them. I've seen various sites but it's hard to tell in the pictures, exactly how the material is folded. I'm always afraid that I'll make a big mess! Thanks for ANY info you can give me! Auntie_Pam 
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User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: paroper
Date: 11-12-2005, 11:07 AM (4 of 13)
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You press your hem up. I use an extra long machine baste about 3/8-1/2 inch from the top edge once I have the hem in position. It helps keep the material in place while I sew. You place the finished top of your hem face down on the machine, folding the garment and the majority of the hem to the left, away from the machine. My machines (Berninas) have a blade that goes down the middle of the foot. If your foot has that, it is a guide. Your fold should ride smoothly against the blade. As your foot stitches, it should go forward around 3 stitches and jump into the fold with one zig zag and return to the straight stitch field. The zig zag should be firmly into the fold, but not so much that it is a large stitch showing through. You adjust the width of the "bite" zig zag by using the normal stitch width adjustment on your machine. The length of the straight stitches (of course) can be adjusted by the stitch length adjustment. You'll need a few min. of practice but in no time you'll be making blind stitch hems with your machine that you can be proud of...and it is soooooo fast and easy!!! I've sewn blind stitched hems with the serger but I do the majority by machine and it has been so long, I'll defer to someone with a little more recent practice for 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: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-12-2005, 09:08 PM (5 of 13)
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Pam, Thanks! I've printed out your instructions and when I get a spare minute I'm gonna see if I can do it! I've kinda got side tracked with another project! Will let you know how well I did! Auntie_Pam
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User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: Catalina
Date: 11-13-2005, 05:22 AM (6 of 13)
| Machine blind hems are great for cutains and such. Everytime I go to do it tho I have to take the instructions out and do a little practice piece. They turn out so well and look so nice in the final product, and go fast. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-13-2005, 05:31 AM (7 of 13)
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When I was sewing for people, that was the primary type of hem I used. If you are hemming 75 choir dresses, you don't want to do it by hand.
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: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-19-2005, 12:54 PM (8 of 13)
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HELP! I'm doing something wrong with the blind hem. I think I'm not understanding how to fold the material after pressing it! It sounds so simple but it's turning out to be complicated. Please tell me step by step what I need to do. If I understand correctly, you press the hem into place, then you turn the hem back under the material leaving a 1/4" showing and that's where the needle will hit the fold and the part of the hem showing. Is that right? boo hoo  before I 
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User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-19-2005, 01:15 PM (9 of 13)
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Yes, BUT, you are stitching on the folded hem part only... the only time you hit the fold of the outer side is on the fifth stitch that jumps over.. In other words your needle should be in line with only the tiny bit of the hem ONLY fold for the four regular stitches, then jumps over to the other for the fifth..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-19-2005, 01:50 PM (10 of 13)
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Libby, Hey! I found this site with a pretty good picture: http://www.sewmuch4retirement.com/tips/blindhem.html it shows the raw/serged edge of the hem peeking out from the fold. My blindhem stitch is the one that looks like a heart beat and my book said to put the zig zag length between 2 - 3 and the stitch length between 1 - 3. I have a New Home My Excel 4123. The book shows a totally different way at folding the material and I think that's why I'm totally confused. Wonder if the blind hem foot on my serger is this difficult?  back to some more practice. lolThanks for the tip! |
User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: Auntie_Pam
Date: 11-19-2005, 02:27 PM (11 of 13)
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Okay I think I have it but I have another question. When I do the hem and then pull the material you can see the straight stitches going across the from of the hem I-I - I've got the length set pretty low so it shouldn't be showing but it's enough to pickup with your finger tip. :clueless: |
User: Auntie_Pam
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 10
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From: paroper
Date: 11-19-2005, 05:46 PM (12 of 13)
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Yes, when the hem is flipped up and in place, you'll see a straight line of stitches on the part of the hem that is folded up. 1/4 Inch MIGHT be just a little bit scant. I don't clip the top of the raw edge, I hit just a shade below. It is hart to give you an exact measurment without being there. When I hit the raw edge, the inside doesn't look quite as nice. The amount of the zig zag varies depending upon how thick your fabic is. I would use a much wider stitch on wool as compared to broadcloth or satin or jersey (and I have used it on all these fabrics with no problem.) 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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-21-2005, 05:29 PM (13 of 13)
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Auntie Pam, I looked at that website, and I fold mine more like the very bottom picture.. I leave the fold as small as possible.. I have a Janome Memory Craft 4000 , and all I have to do is punch the stitch number , fold my fabric correctly and start stitching.. The auto setting for stitch width and length is perfect on my machine.. I see the stitches on the outside also, but they are not very large.. Maybe you could adjust your zigzag a little smaller to compensate.. I'm not sure, since mine works a little differently..After I finish I have to give it a real good press and sometimes I have to tug a little to straighten the hem.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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