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Posted on: 12/26/09 10:06 AM ET
I have not read every post on the cover stitch threads (but I have poured through most of them) and I thought if anyone has some tips on using their machine we should have a separate spot for it. Nancy has done some organizing and Debbie has the fantastic tutorials. If I am duplicating some info then I will delete this ...but I found a wonderful technique for the cover stitch!!
I did not like the result of stitching the hem and then trimming off the excess. Since you cannot see the underside of where the cover stitch is stitching this seemed to be the only sure way of catching the full hem fabric. I figured out something else!
I basted a seam right along the edge of my hem...using a contrasting color with my sm. (My sewing machine has a basting stitch). Then I went to my cover stitch and put on the CLEAR FOOT. I can see through the foot and it has guides on it (Babylock). I then guided my basted line under the foot where I could see the left needle was. I made sure the left needle was just to the left of my basted line. When I was done...WOW I had perfectly encased the whole hem and it was perfectly straight!!! The only thing I had to do was pull out the basting stitch...which now and again was caught up in the cover stitching...but I figured out how to get it out really fast. My hems look like good quality RTW with no snipped edges.
Like I said if this tip has been posted let me know. I would love a spot where we can share our findings...not on the machine itself but on the attachments and methods.
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I did not like the result of stitching the hem and then trimming off the excess. Since you cannot see the underside of where the cover stitch is stitching this seemed to be the only sure way of catching the full hem fabric. I figured out something else!
I basted a seam right along the edge of my hem...using a contrasting color with my sm. (My sewing machine has a basting stitch). Then I went to my cover stitch and put on the CLEAR FOOT. I can see through the foot and it has guides on it (Babylock). I then guided my basted line under the foot where I could see the left needle was. I made sure the left needle was just to the left of my basted line. When I was done...WOW I had perfectly encased the whole hem and it was perfectly straight!!! The only thing I had to do was pull out the basting stitch...which now and again was caught up in the cover stitching...but I figured out how to get it out really fast. My hems look like good quality RTW with no snipped edges.
Like I said if this tip has been posted let me know. I would love a spot where we can share our findings...not on the machine itself but on the attachments and methods.
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"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Brand preferences Bernina and Babylock
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Brand preferences Bernina and Babylock
Posted on: 12/26/09 2:16 PM ET
In reply to threaddy
Thanks for the great tip! I just got a coverstitch machine last week, and I had been wondering how to encase the raw edges on the underside with perfect accuracy. The instruction book says to draw a line on the right side of the fabric with tailor's chalk, but your basting stitch idea sounds a lot more accurate.
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Susie
Lady Kenmore 89, Juki MO-735, Kenmore 19606, Juki F600, Singer S16
Lady Kenmore 89, Juki MO-735, Kenmore 19606, Juki F600, Singer S16
Posted on: 12/26/09 2:27 PM ET
In reply to Susee
I have a combo serger/coverhem and my machine has guide lines on it for where the hem stitches would be and it is so easy to just match up the lines with the fabric.
I know they sell decals that are used for sergers to put on the knife guard for cutting lines and I wonder if these decals could be placed elsewhere like on a coverhem machine and used for guide lines for hems. It really makes hemming easier having the guide lines on the machine and knowing where the understiches will be.
I know they sell decals that are used for sergers to put on the knife guard for cutting lines and I wonder if these decals could be placed elsewhere like on a coverhem machine and used for guide lines for hems. It really makes hemming easier having the guide lines on the machine and knowing where the understiches will be.
Posted on: 12/26/09 2:43 PM ET
I think this thread is a great idea. I know there are many tips and techniques scattered around the site--many great ones by Nancy--but it seems lots of new people are getting coverstitch machines now, and even those of us who have had one for awhile can always use some fresh ideas or reworked older ones.
Posted on: 12/26/09 3:09 PM ET
I also think this topic is a great idea. The tips and techniques that appeared in the Coverpro Guide were contributed by many people on the Coverpro thread -- I simply compiled them. And Debbie's Coverstitch Tutorial is an excellent resource. But it would be great for everyone, regardless of the machine they own, to post their tips here.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
Posted on: 12/26/09 3:48 PM ET
I use the marks on my coverstitch plate to guide my fabric so the stitching covers the edge of the hem fabric.
I use my seam gauge (metal ruler with a red tab that is moveable) and place the left end of the ruler against the furthest left needle. Then I move the red tab to the right the depth of my desired hem. This shows me where I need to guide the fabric on the machine bed. If there are no markings at that point of the bed (often the hem depth ends up between two lines) then I use a reusable sticky seam guide (you can buy these cheaply anywhere you buy notions).
I then press my hem up the desired depth, using my seam gauge to ensure it's even. Then I coverstitch.
I love pressing first, before coverstitching, because it prevents hems from twisting and rippling. I have never had any hem in any fabric end up with those dreaded drag lines and ripples.
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I use my seam gauge (metal ruler with a red tab that is moveable) and place the left end of the ruler against the furthest left needle. Then I move the red tab to the right the depth of my desired hem. This shows me where I need to guide the fabric on the machine bed. If there are no markings at that point of the bed (often the hem depth ends up between two lines) then I use a reusable sticky seam guide (you can buy these cheaply anywhere you buy notions).
I then press my hem up the desired depth, using my seam gauge to ensure it's even. Then I coverstitch.
I love pressing first, before coverstitching, because it prevents hems from twisting and rippling. I have never had any hem in any fabric end up with those dreaded drag lines and ripples.
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I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Posted on: 12/27/09 9:02 PM ET
Just thought I would add that pressing the hem is almost necessary for a good even hem. The basting keeps the fabric in place which is needed for knits which like to roll, squirm and shift while sewing. Again, the clear foot allows one to see exactly where that left needle is piercing the fabric at the point of contact which I really like. I am looking forward to other handy gizmos y'all are enjoying!!
I have the BL seam guide which is great to help feed the fabric evenly as it has a lip to guide the fabric, but I am not thrilled with the way it attaches to the machine. Does anyone else have one? Any comments?
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I have the BL seam guide which is great to help feed the fabric evenly as it has a lip to guide the fabric, but I am not thrilled with the way it attaches to the machine. Does anyone else have one? Any comments?
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"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Brand preferences Bernina and Babylock
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw
Brand preferences Bernina and Babylock
Posted on: 12/27/09 11:15 PM ET
In reply to threaddy
On my combo coverlock the guide lines are on the front edge of the foot that tells where the cover hem stitches will be stitched. They are acutally 5 raised little ridges that slightly protrude in the front of the toe in the metal foot. The clear plastic foot for chain stitching has one line in the plastic for guiding.
-- Edited on 12/27/09 11:20 PM --
-- Edited on 12/27/09 11:20 PM --
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