A special hem

When I learned to do this I wore the drug store classes that made everything  
appear larger and I got a pretty strong pair that I keep at the sm to help  
thread the needles.
I had read about hemming this way in a book.===I do a lot of reading!  ;)
Barbara in HOT SC

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

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  

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.  

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

y

Thanks for posting this information!  I usually only sew very casual clothes  
for DGD, or me, to play in, and I have the hem tape but don't think I've  
ever used it.
Barbara in SC

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

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

 (If you really want to shudder, there's a "tutorial" around someplace


Really?  Do you know the URL as I'd like to shudder at that myself.

I don't, sorry.  Someone showed it to me, and after that trauma, I forgot the URL.  It was  
one of those "reconstructed t-shirts" sorts of things.

On 13/08/2013 16:42, Kay Lancaster wrote:

Given that I've seen factory made wedding gowns with fused hems...

gag! and at those prices.  Just shows that intelligent people stick to  
proper dress makers.

Here you go:
http://anjouclothing.com/2011/02/08/technique-hand-sewn-blind-hem-stitch/
Make sure that she knows about the importance of, and therefore uses,  
beeswax on the thread she uses for hemming.  

Here's another on on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM

An easy way to learn "how to" do this hem is to use a large weave fabric to  
catch on to the "how."  Like maybe get a 1/4 yard of burlap and learn to do  
the hem on this. or anything with a big weave.  Hope this helps!
Barbara in SC

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