machine or attachment for narrow hemming

Hello All I wonder if someone could advise on which piece of kit to use to put very small hems on super lightweight cotton fabric, the type of hem you might see on a handkerchief. It doesn't matter if the stitching is visible both sides, but it needs to be a double hem so that no ragged edge is visible. It would be nice to automate the process as much as possible, ie I would rather not have to absolutely guide it along keeping it straight by eye, if that makes sense. I want to do a quantity of these and will buy a machine to do it. Will I need a sewing machine or an overlocker for example? I don't have any plans to use it for anything else so a dedicated machine would be OK. As you can probably tell I know practically nothing at this point, but life is for learning. Any tips most welcome. Hugh

Reply to
hugh_stanley
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What you need is a one of these:

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._SS500_.jpgYou need to order/buy the correct one for the machine you have. Generic ones are available for high and low shank machines. Talk to your local store.

The best instructions I've found for these feet are in Fine Machine Sewing Revised Edition: Easy Ways to Get the Look of Hand Finishing and Embellishing (Paperback) by Carol Laflin Ahles, available from Amazon.

There *is* a learning curve! It's a bit fiddly and takes time and patience to lean, but looks great. The feet come in various different widths: the narrower the hem, the better they work on finer fabrics.

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

An overlocker would be your best bet. Make sure you buy one that can do rolled or wrapped/rolled hems. Basically that's like an overlocked edge except that the tensions and the 'mechanics' are adjusted to pull the overlocked edge into a very narrow (about 1/8" wide) hem. I've just recently used mine to put that sort of edge onto some bridal tulle (veil).

Adjustments are very simple, and will be fully explained in the manual. It's just a matter of adjusting dials to alter tensions on the threads, and the 'mechanics' is merely to move a slider from one position to another.

Most modern overlockers are 3-4 thread. There are two threads that get woven to form the underneath part of the stitch, and you can use one or two needles and upper threads, *except* to get a narrow rolled hem you only need one needle. The deluxe models are 4-5 thread. As your need is quite specific, don't let the store sell you something you don't need.

Only thing may require a bit of practice, and that's working around squared corners, that's assuming that whatever it is you're making has squared corners.

I'd suggest your best bet is to find and talk to a local dealer, tell them what you want to do.

You can expect to pay £150/£250 for a reasonable quality domestic overlocker, lots more if you're not careful!

Reply to
The Wanderer

I have several "rolled hemmer" feet for my sewing machines and would not be without them. They vary in the width of rolled hem they produce and the thickness of fabric they will accommodate. I use them most often for shirt tails. One of my overlock machines also does a rolled hem but, depending on the application, I usually prefer to do it on a regular machine because I have much better control and precision, especially with curved hems like the ones on shirt tails. Perhaps if I was more skilled with the overlock machines, I'd have better results.

For example the Bernina hemmer feet look like this... see 061 thru 069:

It is very helpful if you have someone demonstrate the foot for you and then help you do it yourself a few times. How you begin stitching and how you guide the fabric thru the foot is important. It takes a bit of practice to get comfortable. But once you learn it, it's like riding a bike.

Phae

Reply to
Phaedrine Stonebridge

These are terrific responses from Kate, The Wanderer and Phaedrine. There is no substitute for this type of advice. You are a super-duper group and no mistake. I am off to study the job and will report back when I am expert! Thank you v. much.

Reply to
hugh_stanley

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