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From: mozeyrn
Date: 07-27-2007, 08:21 PM (1 of 11)
 I'm doing a shirt for my dd that has an underslip and 3 flounces that attach to it (she wanted it in pink camoflauge). The underslip is done and the flounces are cut out. I have been practicing on scraps of fabric to do the 2mm hem and I guess I'm holding the fabric wrong. I either have too much folded or lose the fold altogether. I know I need to hold the fabric up but is it to the left or the right? I can't figure how I can do this on a curved piece of fabric. If I go slow enough I can get a straight edge done OK, but doing curves is a whole different story. I'm doing this on a sewing machine, not a serger.Any hints? I know I have alot more practicing before I do it on the "real" fabric, but I'm not going to get discouraged. Most of my sewing is still "sew and learn". lol - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: Judi
Date: 07-28-2007, 01:21 AM (2 of 11)
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I hold the fabric a bit to the left, (in the right hand) using the index finger to slightly turn the edge up to start the curl. You want to sew slowly. Yes you can sew on gentle curves, but probably won't have success on sharp curves. AND it takes a lot of practice to get a nice hem. Even though I've been using this foot for decades, I still practice for a bit every time I use it. Depending on how wide my rolled hem is, I may even move the needle one stop to the right. Judi
Sewing is almost better than Chocolate. |
User: Judi
Member since: 06-22-2000 Total posts: 85 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-28-2007, 08:01 AM (3 of 11)
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I could never get those things to work!! Let me know if you want to the know the technique with a regular foot. Dorothy (me) |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: grandma C
Date: 07-28-2007, 01:50 PM (4 of 11)
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Dorothy, I have some curved flounces to hem also, please give me the technique for the regular foot. I need all the help I can get!!! Mozeym Thanks for starting this thread!! Belinda |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-28-2007, 03:00 PM (5 of 11)
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OK -- so here is how I do it. First you fold up and press about 1/2 inch. If your fabric doesn't want to fold evenly or hold the crease it often helps if you do a line of stitching on the fold line before you press it. Then you fold on the stitching. Then sew very close to the pressed edge. Stitch just as close to the pressed edge as you can. If your fabric slips around a lot under the foot hold it a little tight on either side of the foot or put tissue under it. Now trim the raw edge as close to the stitching as you can. I find it helps to press it open like a seam and lay it over a seam roll to trim. Now you just turn it up again just above that row of stitching, press it and stitch it. Sometimes a zig zag looks nice. Is that the kind of thing you are looking to do? I think maybe a rolled hem foot looks a bit better -- if you can get it to work right -- but I never can. If you go slow and carefully with every row of stitching it looks pretty good. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: toadusew
Date: 07-29-2007, 09:37 AM (6 of 11)
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I could never get that rolled hem foot to work properly! Dorothy, I like the method you use for sewing a curved rolled hem. I often run an ease line, by using a longer stitch length, very close to the edge of the hem, and then I can pull the bobbin threads to help encourage the hem to turn up correctly. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 07-29-2007, 11:05 AM (7 of 11)
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I used my rolled hem foot to hem the linen dress I made a couple months ago -- it was not very easy, but I was able to get it to work. You do have to roll the fabric with your fingers as you go, and I went very slowly. Even so, I had trouble when I went over seam allowances even after I trimmed them down. I will say it was quick though! I'll have to practice a bit more. I had to putz with my needle position to get it work right too -- I had to kind of get it halfway between two stops in order for it to catch the edge. I'm still not sure if that's an ok thing to do, but it worked at the time. Dorothy's way sounds more foolproof although a bit more time consuming. http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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From: mommgsews
Date: 07-30-2007, 05:37 PM (8 of 11)
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I'm with Dorothy. I've used the rolled hem foot enough to know that I prefer to used the 2 step approach. That way I am able to control the roll a lot better throughout the hem, even at the seams - and can avoid having those ugly drag lines, too. I've been sewing long enough to know where to cut corners and where to devote the time. This is one of the places that I choose to spend the time. After all is said and done have I saved any time if 1) the garment looks too "homemade" to actually be comfortable wearing? or 2) I have to take it out and do it again? jmho -- from way too hot (and humid) AZ! |
User: mommgsews
Member since: 03-15-2004 Total posts: 73 
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 08-01-2007, 08:17 PM (9 of 11)
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Thanks for the tip! I'm pretty tight on time this week - I'll give it a shot on Sunday! - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: temom
Date: 08-01-2007, 11:49 PM (10 of 11)
Good luck. I haven't figured mine out. I keep thinking I'll get to it, but no such luck. However, I did pretty good at doing a blind hem on the latest shorts I made 
Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: Judi
Date: 08-02-2007, 02:20 AM (11 of 11)
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Once you have practiced using the hemmer you can get some wonderful results. I have trained myself to sew slowly, and to stop, put the needle down, and lift the presser foot, adjust the fabric by giving just a gentle tug, then going on. One of the hemmers I have has a wide slot for the needle, and it makes the prettiest scalloped hem on soft fabrics. I use a blind hem stitch, mirror imaged, and tighten the needle tension just a bit. By lengthening the stitch, the scallops are nearly 1/2 inch. I do use an awl to coax the fabric into and under the foot when I come to a seam, (which I trim diagonally on each side of the stitching.) I went through the hems that were awful, and with a bit of practice, I can hem ruffles in no time. I'd just hate to see you folks giving up on using this great tool. I have lots of different sizes of hemmers that were in the boxes my grandmother had for her very old singer. they've been used for decades - and yes, they really do work. Even on curves. Judi
Sewing is almost better than Chocolate. |
User: Judi
Member since: 06-22-2000 Total posts: 85 |
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