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ALternative to cover hem stitch?
sassyem Beginner IRELAND Member since 2010 Posts: 11	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 5:04 AM Hi, I am taking up a pair of polyester gym pants. The original finish on the hem is cover hem, but I am only a novice sewer and only have a singer sewing machine. Any advice on how to finish the hem on the pants?
rag doll   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2006 Posts: 405	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 6:36 AM Do you have a twin needle? A twin needle will sew two rows on one side of the fabric and on the underside the stitch looks like a zig zag. It's a nice stretch stitch that doesn't snap. A twin needle looks like 2 needles coming off the one shank. This needle is inserted exactly like a normal needle. If you have one you could thread your singer with 2 threads on the top of the machine and matching thread on the bobbin. Do a trial stitch on a similar scrap and see if you like it. Stretch Twin needles come in two widths, 2.5mm & 4.0mm. This is the distance between the parallel lines of straight stitching. I use the narrower one for thin fabrics and the wider 4.0mm for thicker fabrics. I set my machine on a slightly longer stitch length and only do straight stitch. Because of the width of the needles, especially the 4.0 wide one you can't zig zag. If you do the needles will hit the foot and snap....a costly little problem! You can buy one of these needles at most sewing and fabric stores, they are fairly common. Happy sewing Sue ------ Now that I'm older I no longer need to know everything!
sassyem Beginner IRELAND Member since 2010 Posts: 11	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 9:57 AM I had never heard of a twin needle, very interesting! Will get my hands on one and give that a try, many thanks
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 2007 Posts: 4714	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 10:14 AM Before I had heard of twin needles, I would just stitch around the hem twice, stretching the fabric slightly to make ease. You can also do a very narrow zig zag, but I never liked the look of either method. Sometimes I would hand stitch the hem normally just for the better appearance. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
allycovey   Intermediate AR USA Member since 2007 Posts: 968	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 3:56 PM I second twin needle, you can get them at any fabric store or sewing machine place. You should also make sure you get a ball point twin needle.
sassyem Beginner IRELAND Member since 2010 Posts: 11	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Alternative to cover hem stitch? Date: 1/10/12 10:09 AM thanks ladies, have just confirmed my machine has twin needle capacity, so am going to order extra spindle stick and needles. The pants are 890% polyester and 10% elastine, would it be advisable to get ballpoint type needle or is that necessary.
allycovey   Intermediate AR USA Member since 2007 Posts: 968	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/10/12 10:35 AM I just always use a ballpoint for anything stretchy....I would like to hear what athers think as well.
Jane S   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2002 Posts: 251	Login to reply to this post In reply to sassyem Like this post Date: 1/10/12 11:10 AM I frequently advise my not so eager to sew friends who want to hem knits to just buy Steam a Seam 2 in 1/2" or 1/4 widths. Depending on the fabric weight : lite version for tops and regular version for bottoms. It bonds the fabric but still retains the stretch and can be washed. Many of my petite friends just want a hem on a sleeve or casual pant leg and this solution works without them trying to figure out their unused sewing machines. Yes, most of them do still own a machine, just haven't used it for another more than woven hems or small repairs. Steam a Seam 2 on Amzon ------ www.luckysewandsew.blogspot.com
rag doll   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2006 Posts: 405	Login to reply to this post In reply to sassyem Like this post Date: 1/11/12 8:00 AM As far as I know twin needles come 2 ways, sharp & stretch. So far I haven't seen ballpoint. I use the stretch for anything stretchy. You can tell the difference as the sharp point have red plastic just below the shank and the stretch have a royal blue. The stretch only come in two sizes to my knowledge. If an extra spool / spindle is hard to get hold of you can order a spool stand that sits just to the back right of your machine and just thread the machine in the regular way. It could be a whole lot easier to find if you're having trouble. Ps....If you find that the fabric tunnels in a ridge on the right side you could try either loosening the needle (upper) tension by about 2 numbers or using a very light fusible stretch interfacing inside the hem to firm it up a bit. HTH Sue ------ Now that I'm older I no longer need to know everything!
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 2002 Posts: 5451	Login to reply to this post In reply to sassyem Like this post Date: 1/11/12 8:10 AM Do you have a 1960's or 1970's Touch and Sew Singer, or a newer one? If it's the older one, you can use two needles, provided they are the same size and type. If you have a newer model, you need to buy a twin needle. ------ "Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm" -- Aldo Leopold "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit!" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln

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