How to Hem Sheer Fabric on a Serger
A serger is a type of sewing machine used for hemming material --- as it sews, a serger wraps anywhere from three to five threads at a time around the edge of the fabric, creating a secure hem. As the serger sews, it cuts off the excess fabric on the right side of the needle. Because sheer fabric is slippery and has a tendency to fray, many sewers avoid using this delicate fabric. However, serging a hem is one of the best ways to prevent sheer fabrics from fraying because the edges are bound by numerous threads.
Instructions
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Turn the item you wish to hem inside out and pin the hem to the desired length, folding the edges of the fabric so that the wrong sides are facing each other.
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Plug in your serger and thread it so that you are using at least three spools of thread --- if you use fewer than three spools the hem will not be secure enough to prevent the sheer material from fraying. The more spools of thread you use, the sturdier your hem will be. Make sure all three spools of hem have the same color and type of thread.
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Serge the hem by pressing the foot pedal. Gently move the fabric along using your hands to guide it --- sheer material is slippery and should slide smoothly over your machine. Use the guidelines on the machine to make sure you are sewing a straight hem. As you work, remove the pins accordingly.
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Turn up the serged hemline a few millimeters and pin it in place. Sew a straight stitch using a conventional machine, ¼ inch away from the edge of the fabric. Tucking the serged hemline underneath will give you a neater looking hem because the serged hemline is bulky. Serged hemlines have several threads wrapped around the outer edge of the fabric. Hiding the serged hemline will give your hemmed item a cleaner, more professional look.
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References
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