How to Use a Blind Stitch Hemmer
A blind-stitch hem worked on the sewing machine is an excellent alternative to the classic hand-sewn hem. Use a blind-stitch hemmer to quickly create a neat, nearly invisible hem in skirts, dresses and pants. A blind-stitch hem takes a larger bite out of the fabric in the hem allowance, but picks up only a few tiny threads on the front side. Experiment with this machine sewing technique to create a professional finish with a bit less handwork.
Things You'll Need
- Completed garment or scrap fabric
- Iron and ironing board
- Coordinating thread
- Sewing pins
Instructions
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1
Prepare your hem. Fold under 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch and press well. Fold again at least 1/2 inch from the first fold line; however, the final hem can be as wide as you like. Press a firm crease into the fabric.
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2
Pin your hem into place. Pin perpendicular to the hem, allowing at least 1/4 inch of unpinned fabric along the top edge in order to blind stitch your hem.
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3
Turn the pinned hem up toward the right side of the fabric. Look at the fabric with the wrong side facing you and you will see not only the wrong side of the fabric, but also the 1/4-inch allowance left free when you pinned the hem into place.
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4
Place a blind-hem foot on your sewing machine, if one is available. Set your machine to a blind-hem stitch. Check your machine for a stitch that looks like a straight stitch with just an occasional zigzag stitch dipping down from the straight stitch line.
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Sew along the center of the 1/4-inch fabric flap. Use the handwheel to control the sewing machine until you reach the first zigzag dip of the blind-hem stitch. Continue stitching slowly and carefully until you complete your blind hem.
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Tips & Warnings
Blind-stitch hemmer feet are also available for some sergers.
You can work a machine blind-stitch hem without a blind-stitch foot, but will need to exercise extra care while sewing to keep your stitching neat and even.
Practice and experiment on fabric scraps to make sure that you are happy with your tension and stitch-length settings.
