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Aligning coverstitch with top of hem (Tip/Technique) 
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Review rated Helpful by 4 people Very Helpful by 78 people |
| Posted by: |
Sew Sew Sandi |
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| About Sew Sew Sandi
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| Member since: 9/12/03 |
| Reviews written: 2 |
| Sewing skills:Intermediate |
| tips added: 2 |
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| Posted on: |
9/3/08 7:29 PM |
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Featured in the PR book! |
I'm probably the only person who has trouble using the coverstitch to topstitch the hem from the right side. I've tried using my fingertips to feel where the top of the hem is or marking the stitching line with chalk. I always veer off someplace and miss the hem. That means I either have to unstitch some of my coverstitch or handstitch the area left unhemmed. Here's my "aha" solution that the rest of you probably already use:
With bobbin thread in an easily seen color (often the end of bobbins wound for some other project), I machine baste the top of the hem from the wrong side. When I take my project to my serger, I line up the two needles so that the colored basting thread is between them. This does a great job of laying the thread from the looper across the edge of the hem and the basting thread is easy to remove. The hem is nicely finished and no additional fine tuning (fixing missed sections) is needed. |
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37 Comments
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I like this idea. I don't have a coverstitch, but I have the same problem with double needle hems on tshirts etc. when I use my sewing machine with double needles. Thanks!!
9/3/08 10:24 PM
wow! what a fabulous idea. NEVER would have thought of this! Thanks for being so smart...
9/3/08 10:42 PM
Thats brilliant. I think the majority had your problem, including me, thanks for the hint.
9/4/08 0:09 AM
Good one! I will try this next time I do a hem. Thanks.
9/4/08 0:22 AM
Thanks for this great tip! I am working on a knit top today and have been trying to figure out how to cover stitch the hem.
9/4/08 8:26 AM
Thank you, I wish there were a VERY VERY helpful rating, you'd get it!!
9/4/08 8:31 AM
Great idea - and it will probably solve the other problem I have too. My hems often "slip" and are wrinkled by the time I finish. This will help hold them in place. Thanks for recognizing and posting a simple solution to a common problem.
9/4/08 10:13 AM
Great Idea! my coverstitch machine will be 2 years old in December and has NEVER been used because I don't have any of the optional feet. Now I can do some hemming and save some bucks along the way!!
9/4/08 10:14 AM
Great idea. No, I have the same problem. This makes a lot of sense and it's easy.
9/4/08 12:40 PM
Ok, so now I'm thinking, "Why didn't I think of that??" Great tip and timely for me, as I just got my new CS machine last week. Many thanks!!!
9/4/08 1:35 PM
Duh, I have been having the same issue. I figured I was missing something, now you have given me a solution. Thanks.
9/4/08 4:33 PM
Eureka! You're a genius!
9/4/08 4:37 PM
What a great way to do a cover stitch, THANK YOU!
9/4/08 5:00 PM
I do this also but use WASH AWAY THREAD in the bobbin. I quick spritz on the backside after I've done the coberstich and it's gone. The top sewing thread just lifts off.
9/5/08 5:01 PM
How ingenious.
9/5/08 8:31 PM
Thank you for this brilliant tip. I will definitely use this. Thanks again. Helen
9/6/08 1:29 PM
Great tip - and thanks for the wash away thread comment, marycds! Between the two of you, you've made life easier for a whole bunch of folks!!
9/8/08 10:30 AM
Thank you, found this a small problem even today--although I didnt use surger for the coverstitch, but used double needles, can see this would have been a good idea to try. Thankyou Heather
9/12/08 2:07 AM
I've been using a coverstitch machine for years, and really have just given up on getting the top of the hem enclosed. But no longer! I've just ordered invisible thread from the sewingsupply warehouse. It's on sale for 2.99. Thank you both sooooo much!
9/12/08 7:21 PM
I haven't tried my coverstitch yet, but I also experience this problem with twin needle stitching from the right side. Thanks for the tip!
9/14/08 11:22 AM
Now why didn't I think of that!! Great tip!
9/17/08 3:28 PM
I'm just reading your tip for the first time, but you apparently "channeled" the information to me. This is exactly what I did this weekend with my first-ever coverstitch hem. I can vouch for the ease and efficiency of this method - and it's a great way to use up those bobbins that have just a little bit of a "what was I thinking? color on them.
1/27/09 8:03 AM
That is a very good idea, I always leave my hem wide and then trim after I do the cover stitch, but you way is much neater. Thanks
1/27/09 8:09 AM
I made an error on my vote...I meant VERY helpful, not merely helpful. I also have had this trouble with my coverstitching and hems, so this solution sounds like just the ticket!
1/27/09 8:38 AM
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
1/27/09 10:34 AM
Another possibility is to use just the chain stitch for basting down the hem if using regular thread. This makes removal very easy and on knits it allows give as you coverstitch while keeping the hem in place.
1/27/09 12:37 PM
I HAVE 3 PAIRS OF KNIT PANTS THAT I HAVE TO HEM FOR MY MOM, AND I WILL GIVE THIS TIP A TRY, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH COVERED HEMS
1/27/09 12:51 PM
This is a great problem solver for me. I will definitely use this method.
1/27/09 1:16 PM
Nope - not the only one. I've only just got my coverstitch machine and am discovering just how much I don't know about using it. So, thanks for making one job much easier!
1/27/09 1:23 PM
I've been so hesitant to use my coverstich because I do mess it up most of the time. WOW! What a great idea. You're the best. Thanks.
1/27/09 2:24 PM
Now isn't that the coolest thing!? Thanx!
1/27/09 2:29 PM
good idea
1/27/09 4:11 PM
what a terrific idea--thanks!!
1/27/09 6:20 PM
I have one of Bernina's first coverstitch machines. Since I've had it I have had difficulty topstitching from the front to. I also have difficulty with the machine period. This tip may help me out. Thanks, peggytil
1/28/09 10:37 AM
Terrific. I've always hesitated to buy a coverstitch machine because I didn't think I could learn to use it from the top. You solved the problem. Many thanks.
2/2/09 4:02 PM
no, you for sure are not the only one!
2/2/09 5:22 PM
Thanks-This helps SO much.
7/14/11 2:32 PM