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What Am I Doing Wrong? (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Member since 12/9/04
Posts: 2015
Posts: 2015
Quebec Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 11/5/07 9:59 AM ET
Hi! I'm practicing doing a Blind Hem stitch. Everytime I look at the directions & diagram. And, everytime I end up with stitches THRO the scrap & nothing that looks like a hem 
.
Please tell me what I'm doing wrong!!
Rhonda who thinks it's easier to hand-sew my hems...

.Please tell me what I'm doing wrong!!

Rhonda who thinks it's easier to hand-sew my hems...
Posted on: 11/5/07 10:21 AM ET
In reply to Rhonda in Montreal
Member since 12/9/04
Posts: 2015
Posts: 2015
Quebec Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 11/5/07 10:32 AM ET
In reply to SewClassic
Thanks SO much, Jenny!! I'll review these two guides (many times!) 'cos I still don't "see" it. Then, I'll try again...
Did I tell ya I flunked Phys Ed ALL thru school... Still don't know my left from right, even in English!!
It's just a matter of orientation, eh!
Rhonda, who's grateful for your smarts!
Did I tell ya I flunked Phys Ed ALL thru school... Still don't know my left from right, even in English!!
It's just a matter of orientation, eh!
Rhonda, who's grateful for your smarts!
Posted on: 11/5/07 10:43 AM ET
I'm not sure I understand what exactly is going wrong for you. Are you saying that the stitches show through too much on the right side of the hem??
If so, you can either adjust the stitch width to a narrower number or adjust the guide on the foot so that the fold is more toward the left. When the needle swings over to sew throgh the folded portion, you want it to just barely catch the edge of the fold.
Generally speaking, I can make a more "invisible" blind hem by hand, but with a litlte practice, I've been able to make some by machine that are pretty darn good.
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If so, you can either adjust the stitch width to a narrower number or adjust the guide on the foot so that the fold is more toward the left. When the needle swings over to sew throgh the folded portion, you want it to just barely catch the edge of the fold.
Generally speaking, I can make a more "invisible" blind hem by hand, but with a litlte practice, I've been able to make some by machine that are pretty darn good.
------
http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
www.Sew-Classic.com
Member since 12/9/04
Posts: 2015
Posts: 2015
Quebec Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 11/5/07 11:40 AM ET
In reply to SewClassic
Jenny, when I tried the Blind Hem foot, the stitch is sewn COMPLETELY through and flat. So when I turn to the right side, I have a seam, just as if I had sewn the sides of a garment...
Do I make sense?
Thanks for your help, Jenny!
Rhonda
Do I make sense?
Thanks for your help, Jenny!
Rhonda
Posted on: 11/5/07 11:50 AM ET
In reply to Rhonda in Montreal
Do you have the machine itself set to the blind stitch setting??
Your stitch selector should have an option for this stitch.
The foot doesn't make the blind hem stitch, it just acts as a guide for the fabric. When the blind hem stitch is selected on the machine, the machine sews several straight stitches to the right and then makes 1/2 a zig over to the left. It is this zzig over to the left that sews through at the fold and creats the hem.
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Your stitch selector should have an option for this stitch.
The foot doesn't make the blind hem stitch, it just acts as a guide for the fabric. When the blind hem stitch is selected on the machine, the machine sews several straight stitches to the right and then makes 1/2 a zig over to the left. It is this zzig over to the left that sews through at the fold and creats the hem.
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http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
www.Sew-Classic.com
Posted on: 11/5/07 1:53 PM ET
In reply to Rhonda in Montreal
Rhonda,
Here is how I remember to do this correctly--I finally learned after watching a video numerous times!!!
I pin the hem up securely where I want it -- and then sort of forget about it--> I let that area of the garment take care of itself.
It helps me to remember that I am going to be sewing along on ONLY the raw hem edge--one layer of fabric.
This is the part of the garment that is on the feeddogs.
Then as I am setting up my hem to actually sew, I remind myself that the machine will be picking up only a thread from the folded edge as I sew along.
So the folded edge of the garment is right next to the single layer of hem. You are actually sewing on the INNERMOST edge of the hem--and catching a stitch from the garment now and then.
This feels clear as mud.
Hope it is better for you.
Best Wishes,
Carla
ETA: Great video's JennyB. Thanks for them.
-- Edited on 11/5/07 2:01 PM --
Here is how I remember to do this correctly--I finally learned after watching a video numerous times!!!
I pin the hem up securely where I want it -- and then sort of forget about it--> I let that area of the garment take care of itself.
It helps me to remember that I am going to be sewing along on ONLY the raw hem edge--one layer of fabric.
This is the part of the garment that is on the feeddogs.
Then as I am setting up my hem to actually sew, I remind myself that the machine will be picking up only a thread from the folded edge as I sew along.
So the folded edge of the garment is right next to the single layer of hem. You are actually sewing on the INNERMOST edge of the hem--and catching a stitch from the garment now and then.
This feels clear as mud.
Hope it is better for you.
Best Wishes,
Carla
ETA: Great video's JennyB. Thanks for them.
-- Edited on 11/5/07 2:01 PM --
Posted on: 11/6/07 0:47 AM ET
Does your machine have a blindhem foot?
My blindhem foot is staggered so the folded back over hem goes under the higher side of the foot. This ensures that it only takes a tiny stitch into the fabric. The majority of the stitches should fall on the raw edge only.
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My blindhem foot is staggered so the folded back over hem goes under the higher side of the foot. This ensures that it only takes a tiny stitch into the fabric. The majority of the stitches should fall on the raw edge only.
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Perth, Australia
Google map of Aust & NZ sewing resources
http://tiny.cc/VEbty
Google map of Aust & NZ sewing resources
http://tiny.cc/VEbty
Posted on: 11/6/07 8:17 AM ET
I think Carla hit on the problem, which is how the fabric is oriented before you start to stitch. Let's see if another description can help...
[1] garment should be wrong side out...lay it so it's beside your machine, with the hem beside the presser foot
[2] you should see the underside of the hem you've pinned up in place (your pins should be placed halfway between the hem fold and the hem edge)...flip this hem allowance under the garment, so that only the edge of the hem is sticking out, about 1/2 inch
[3] slip that 1/2 inch edge of the hem that's sticking out, under your presser foot...this is what you should be sewing on
[4] remember how you folded the hem under...this fold will be next to where you are stitching, and it's this fold that your needle should jump over and take a bite in (just a thread or two of this fold, so it won't show much on the RS)
HTH :)
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[1] garment should be wrong side out...lay it so it's beside your machine, with the hem beside the presser foot
[2] you should see the underside of the hem you've pinned up in place (your pins should be placed halfway between the hem fold and the hem edge)...flip this hem allowance under the garment, so that only the edge of the hem is sticking out, about 1/2 inch
[3] slip that 1/2 inch edge of the hem that's sticking out, under your presser foot...this is what you should be sewing on
[4] remember how you folded the hem under...this fold will be next to where you are stitching, and it's this fold that your needle should jump over and take a bite in (just a thread or two of this fold, so it won't show much on the RS)
HTH :)
------
Ardis
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
Posted on: 11/7/07 12:03 PM ET
Rhonda, don't give up just yet. The secret to mastering the blind hem stitch is learning how to fold the fabric properly, and you've been given some good guidelines by Jenny, Carla, Happy and Ardis. I had to sew about two dozen blind hems before I finally got the hang of it. P.S. I flunked gym, too. 
-- Edited on 11/7/07 12:06 PM --
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-- Edited on 11/7/07 12:06 PM --
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