Have a question or want to show off your project? Post it! No Registration Necessary.
Now with pictures!
- Polly Esther
August 12, 2013, 8:28 pm
I need to show a great niece how to do a heirloom level dress hem - you
know, the one where you only pick up one vertical thread per stitch. Of
course, I can't do it in person. Isn't it painful that our young people are
so far away? So. Wondering if there's a You Tube or something that will
show her how? Please help if you can aim me. Polly
know, the one where you only pick up one vertical thread per stitch. Of
course, I can't do it in person. Isn't it painful that our young people are
so far away? So. Wondering if there's a You Tube or something that will
show her how? Please help if you can aim me. Polly
Re: A special hem
Polly Esther wrote:

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Sewing/Howtos/Hand+Sewing.htm
http://anjouclothing.com/2011/02/08/technique-hand-sewn-blind-hem-stitch/
If you can get a copy, Claire Shaeffer's "Couture Sewing Techniques"
is fabulous:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
I haven't see the updated revised edition:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
But I'm sure it's equally good.
NAYY

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Sewing/Howtos/Hand+Sewing.htm
http://anjouclothing.com/2011/02/08/technique-hand-sewn-blind-hem-stitch/
If you can get a copy, Claire Shaeffer's "Couture Sewing Techniques"
is fabulous:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
I haven't see the updated revised edition:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
But I'm sure it's equally good.
NAYY
Re: A special hem
I was really hoping for a video ( is that what it's called nowadays?) of the
technique and looked at some demonstrations on U-tube. Good gracious.
Apparently you can demonstrate online even if you don't really know how.
One nice lady was turning up an inch and then turning it up again. Mercy.
Why don't I just buy the great niece a staple gun or a roll of duct tape?
Polly
technique and looked at some demonstrations on U-tube. Good gracious.
Apparently you can demonstrate online even if you don't really know how.
One nice lady was turning up an inch and then turning it up again. Mercy.
Why don't I just buy the great niece a staple gun or a roll of duct tape?
Polly
Re: A special hem

Speaking of duct tape-----do you realize there is a HEM TAPE so you can iron
on your hem? Directions are on the package.
I'm thinking that WalMart has it, so cloth stores must have it too. I read
up on some of this stuff when I'm in the store.
Barbara in WET SC It's raining now.
Re: A special hem

Polly, look for embroiderers doing the same stitch you're trying to teach. They usually
do a much better job. http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2150-sewing-the-catch-stitch is pretty good,
though I'd fold the top of the hem back again for hidden stitching. That's my standard stitch
for a blind hem, even though I learned it as herringbone back in the early Jurassic.
The other thing about sewing videos is that the older they are, the more likely they're showing
someone doing it correctly. (If you really want to shudder, there's a "tutorial" around someplace
where you're advised to stretch the armscye to fit the sleeve cap when sewing.)

Judy Barlup (a very good tailoring teacher) has an "extra fine fusing tape" from Japan that I
like. It's very narrow and nearly weightless, unlike the heat and bond stuff I think Walmart carries.
I told her I'd used it to hem a satin dress -- 15 minutes before a wedding (substitute, shorter bridesmaid
when #1 developed stomach flu) -- and she told me that she wasn't sure you could go to heaven if
you did a lot of hems with it. <g>
Kay
Re: A special hem
I'm sure God has a special exception for any one rescuing a bride 15 minutes
before a wedding. I went in to hug the bride/new daughter-in-law and saw a
seamstress at her feet with about 300 safety pins. I didn't ask. I just
hugged and left. Quietly. Polly
"Kay Lancaster" <> Polly, look for embroiderers doing the same stitch you're
trying to teach. They usually

before a wedding. I went in to hug the bride/new daughter-in-law and saw a
seamstress at her feet with about 300 safety pins. I didn't ask. I just
hugged and left. Quietly. Polly
"Kay Lancaster" <> Polly, look for embroiderers doing the same stitch you're
trying to teach. They usually

Re: A special hem

Good plan. I've been pulled out of a church pew several times over the years for
emergency clothing surgery. The worst was probably the time the groom's suit pants hadn't
had the seat sewn -- somehow they'd managed to leave it just basted -- and it wasn't noticed
until The Day. I think that might have been the fastest backstitching I ever did.
Oh well, I was frazzled enough before mine that I nearly flea-moussed my hair. ;-)
And all those little oopsies make a great story -- years later.
Kay
Re: A special hem
I just must come back to a 'special' hem one more time. There is just
nothing - well, maybe there's lots - but an obvious ugly klutzy hem will
destroy the appearance of an otherwise well-made garment. I like to finish
the top edge - either with a gentle serge or zigzag. I do not turn it
under. I sneak down about 1/2 inch or more and do my nearly invisible
hemming by whatever name you call it. I catch only one vertical thread with
silk thread as I go along. When finished, I can slip a piece of plain old
brown paper bag under the edge of the serged edge and steam press. The
results? An absolutely special hem. Totally unnecessary for a bride who's
going to have Her Special Wedding Day every 2 or three years but well worth
the trouble for an heirloom. Polly

nothing - well, maybe there's lots - but an obvious ugly klutzy hem will
destroy the appearance of an otherwise well-made garment. I like to finish
the top edge - either with a gentle serge or zigzag. I do not turn it
under. I sneak down about 1/2 inch or more and do my nearly invisible
hemming by whatever name you call it. I catch only one vertical thread with
silk thread as I go along. When finished, I can slip a piece of plain old
brown paper bag under the edge of the serged edge and steam press. The
results? An absolutely special hem. Totally unnecessary for a bride who's
going to have Her Special Wedding Day every 2 or three years but well worth
the trouble for an heirloom. Polly

Site Timeline
- » Touch and Sew 626 can't get bobbin casing in correctly
- — Next thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » Sewing machines
- — Previous thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » manual or how to thread riccar sewing machine model rw-7
- — Newest thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » manual or how to thread riccar sewing machine model rw-7
- — The site's Newest Thread. Posted in » Sewing Discussions
-