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Hemming a slippery knit Help with hemming a slippery knit
lasaire Member since 6/9/08 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/11/12 9:39 PM Help! I made a maxi skirt with a lycra jersey and am having a hard time hemming it. It's not quite a swim suit fabric but it does have a distinct right and wrong side, with a sheen to the right side of the fabric. I had no problem with the seams themselves, but now that I've marked and flipped the hem under, it slides like it's been greased. The feed dogs just won't grip it at all - it's too slippery on the right side and it slides around at the slightest provocation. I've got one wacky looking hem and I hate messy hems. Anyone faced this issue before? How did you solve it?
sewinglady4u Advanced PA USA Member since 2/28/08 Posts: 80	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/11/12 10:24 PM Oh my, like it or not, I'd do a hand stitch, (if you don't have an actual blind stitch machine) Just keep it loose, in case the fabric should get stretched. That way the thread won't break. For all the time you could spend trying to get the right stitch on your machine, you could have the hem done by hand. And tearing out wonky hems in knits usually ends up causing holes too. Just not worth it!! ------ Consew 7360R, Singer 14U overlock, Necchi 521, Pfaff 900, US Blind Stitch 718-2, Singer New Family 12K treadle
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to lasaire << 1 member likes this. Date: 6/11/12 10:41 PM Press the hem first, then baste. Then sew the hem. -- Edited on 6/11/12 10:42 PM -- ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Twizard Advanced Beginner UT Member since 2/11/12 Posts: 207	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/11/12 10:47 PM You could also use a bit of fabric adhesive prior to sewing, either the tape, or the spray kind. Don't spray near your machine, it makes it sticky. ------ Pfaff 1471, janome 8050, bernina 830e, singer quantum lock 5, baby lock protege, pfaff 794
simplystitches Intermediate NY USA Member since 2/12/06 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/11/12 11:19 PM Washable glue stick! Glue up the hem and let it dry before going to the machine. Use strips of washaway stabilizer or paper between the fabric and the feed dogs so it doesn't slide around. The glue stick can be the cheapest you can get as long as it's washable! Debbie
tigergirl   Advanced Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 11/30/09 Posts: 176	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/12/12 0:33 AM You could also try hemming web (save-a-stitch, stitch witchery?) - I've had success with that on some ornery knits BUT beware there have been two knits it just would not stick. ------ Brother BM-2600 Janome 693 Lumina Overlocker (Serger) http://tigergirladventures.blogspot.com/
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/12/12 1:12 AM I just bought some of that double-sided wash away tape called Wonder Tape. Use that to make it stick and then either hand sew it or use a piece of stabilizer under it on the machine. Then wash and TA DA!! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
OhSewSlowly Beginner CA Member since 5/31/12 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 6/18/12 6:24 PM I was recently struggling with a narrow hem at the bottom of a difficult knit. What I finally ended up doing was using clear elastic. Figured if it worked for necklines, side seams, etc. why not the hem. Turned out very nice. My only concern had been the weight pulling on the hem, but at least in this case it wasn't a problem. Since I don't have a serger I just used a zig zag to apply the clear elastic.
cinca Member since 4/27/11 Posts: 301	Login to reply to this post In reply to OhSewSlowly << Like this post Date: 6/18/12 7:24 PM This is what I love about sewing...all the ingenious ways we can come up with to solve problems. Actually, the weight on the hem can be a very good thing. If it is not too heavy, it can serve to make the skirt fabric drape better and appear more graceful than it might without the weight. Good on ya! OhSewSlowly.

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