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From: InABind
Date: 02-07-2006, 07:22 AM (1 of 5)
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Okay, really new to sewing - and have a couple of stupid questions, but.... ya know... 1. When you hem something up, how many folds do you have? I was trying to hem the sleeves of hubby's t-shirt (ha-ha he is my guinea pig!), and was reading info in my "sewing for dummies) on hemming, but it doesn't say if you fold it up once or twice? - Can someone please explain Part 2 of this question, it says in the book you should finish the raw edge before hemming up with zig-zag or overlock, I'm taking that to mean the cut edge. So if you add zig-zag, r u supposed to get the stitch as close to the raw edge as possible and then fold up? - Can someone please explain Thanks! |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 02-07-2006, 07:41 AM (2 of 5)
I am sure others will chime in as their preferences, etc. But for me - 1) if it is a knit fabric, one that doesn't ravel, I do not fold twice, only fold up once for the hem. This is my favorite time to use a twin needle. When hemming with a twin needle I get a double top straight stitch with a zig-zag under stitch. From the top the hem looks very much like ready-to-wear. 2) non-knit fabrics, like cottons, linens, things that will ravel or fray, then I generally do a 2 fold hem. I turn the first hem up approx 1/4 in then do either a straight stitch or a long narrow zig-zag. Then turn up again the needed depth, then stitch again for the final hem. Again on some items (denims) I would use a twin needle. Now these methods are without taking into consideration use of a serger, when I use the serger I vary a little on the double hem, but not allot. I also like to use a steam-a-seam product on some fabrics to offer stability when I'm sewing, and or a tear-away type stabilizer for certain fabrics. Remember to press your seams as you turn them up, and ease if you need 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: InABind
Date: 02-07-2006, 07:52 AM (3 of 5)
Thank you for your quick response - I really appreciate the explanation, I think I understand better now (pretty sure hubby needs more items that need hemming .. snickers  What is steam-a-seam product? |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 02-07-2006, 08:09 AM (4 of 5)
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Steam-a-seam is a double sided fusible sticky tape, you iron it to stick! It really helps me to stabalize some seams, and/or ease others before sewing. Here is a peak of the product (http://www.bullarddesigns.com/steamaseam/steamaseam.htm), not saying to buy from here, but she talks a little about its use. I pick mine up at JoAnn's and/or have ordered it from Create For Less (online). I generally like the lite type for hemming.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: InABind
Date: 02-07-2006, 08:17 AM (5 of 5)
| ok - thanks. Now I know what it is! lol - I've used scotch tape to 'temporarily' hem things up in the past and got into lots of trouble when the tape would unstick or forgetting to remove tape prior to washing! hehehe like I said, very new to sewing. |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
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