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Flexi-lace hem tape How do you use this?
Lynnelle   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 2007 Posts: 2152 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/30/08 10:55 AM I've seen some RTW garment hems and PR garment hems finished with this tape. Taken from Wright's site: Application: To finish hem, position lace 1/4" from edge of fabric (right side). Machine stitch in place. Turn up, press. Hand stitch free edge to garment. Wouldn't the hand stitching still be shown from the outside? What is the advantage to finishing a hem like this? Thanks! -- Edited on 12/30/08 10:56 AM --
lyra Intermediate NJ USA Member since 2007 Posts: 87	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/30/08 11:03 AM Hi Lynelle, The hand stitching actually won't show outside. You use a special type of stitching (called maybe a catch stitch?) where you only pick up 2 or 3 threads of the garment fabric on each stitch. The stitch looks like a series of "V"s as you go around. Try searching youtube, there are mostly like demos of how to do a hand stitched hem. And one added hint... you want to use a shade of thread that is just the teensiest bit darker than your fashion fabric. If you go lighter, it won't be as invisible.
tlmck3 Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 2005 Posts: 3483	Login to reply to this post In reply to Lynnelle Like this post Date: 12/30/08 5:47 PM The advantage is that you get finished edges to your hem instead of tacking an unsightly raw edge to the inside of the garment. ------ I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work. Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage St. Augustine
Lynnelle   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 2007 Posts: 2152 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/30/08 6:52 PM Ok, thanks much.
cindy-lou   Intermediate NC USA Member since 2006 Posts: 3608 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to tlmck3 Like this post Date: 1/1/09 8:51 PM ANother advantage to this technique is that once you have attached the lace hem tape to the lower edge of your garment, you can achieve a hem while turning under only a small bit of your fashion fabric. This is really handy when you need to hem something, but don't have much garment length to do it with. ------ Cindy Lou, no more than 2 "Sew, Esmerelda! Sew like the Wind!" -Martin Short, The Three Amigos "When inspiration calls, you don't send it to voicemail." --Will I Am.
tlmck3 Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 2005 Posts: 3483	Login to reply to this post In reply to cindy-lou Like this post Date: 1/1/09 9:34 PM I love the flexi-lace seam binding for enclosing seams. It looks so pretty! ------ I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work. Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage St. Augustine
dove29   Advanced Beginner USA Member since 2007 Posts: 842	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/09 11:27 PM It's great for when you're letting down the hem of a new pair of RTW dress pants. Or for that matter, when you're hemming-up a pair of dress pants someone bought at a yard sale & you want it to be neat & not frayed or bulky. I don't know what tailors do, though. Do all short guys wind up with lacy stuff on the inside of their pants hems?
bestgrammy OR USA Member since 2006 Posts: 2317	Login to reply to this post In reply to dove29 Like this post Date: 1/2/09 0:26 AM There is poly hem tape for non-lacey folks.
bestgrammy OR USA Member since 2006 Posts: 2317	Login to reply to this post In reply to Lynnelle Like this post Date: 1/2/09 0:46 AM If the fabric ravels, pinking the edge then turning it over 1/4 inch before machine stitching the hem tape to the right side will help. I liked using this in skirt and dress hems because the flexi tape's slight stretch helped to have less popped hems. Don't stretch the tape when stitching either by machine or by hand (hand tacking).
Everyday Sewist Advanced Beginner TX USA Member since 2002 Posts: 2707	Login to reply to this post In reply to bestgrammy Like this post Date: 1/2/09 9:42 AM I have used it to finish edges on sweater knits, because it has a slight stretch and doesn't show through like a solid tape might. It probably wouldn't work on very stretchy knits, though. The solid polyester hem tape sold in Jo-Ann's and similar stores is not very soft. The lace tape is much softer. Another (softer but not stretchy) alternative to the solid poly hem tape is rayon seam binding, which you can get online. I often find it in thrift shops too. It's much nicer than the poly hem tape IMO. ------

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