Not every project goes exactly as planned. The beauty of it is that there’s always something to learn from each project. In this one, I learned that a blind hem foot can also make a very nice “not-so-blind hem.”
The Blindstitch Foot L 450/460 is used to create a blind hem in, for example, the legs of trousers or the hem of a dress or skirt. A while ago, I sewed a thin jersey shirt for Ella and thought it would be fun to try out the blind hem foot on my BERNINA L 460.
Experienced sewers might already sense what could go wrong here, but let me take you through the process from start to finish. Things don’t always go as you want them to the first time. And sometimes it’s nice to read that it happens to others too.
Do things sometimes go wrong for you too? Share your story in the comments, maybe we can learn from each other!
Test swatch(es)
To try out the blind hem foot, I took a test swatch and watched this BERNINA instruction video. In the video, the hem looked very nice, so I confidently got to work.
I set the machine to a 3-thread overlock with the left needle. Then I was ready to sew a beautiful blind hem. This was a bit more challenging than I thought.
It did create a blind hem, the foot guided the fabric nicely and sewed as it should, with very small stitches in the hem at the front. But the seam remained quite loose at the back.
By adjusting the thread tension, stitch length, and differential feed, I eventually (after many test swatches) got the following result.
A beautiful blind hem at the front with hardly visible stitches.
And, after a good press, a reasonably neat seam at the back.
Plan B
Still, I wasn’t entirely sure this would work on Ella’s shirt, as it needed to be perfect on the first try. So, I watched another instruction video for more tips.
It was only after watching this more detailed instruction video that I heard: “Fine or thin fabrics are not suitable for a nearly invisible blind hem.” Thin jersey, like I used for Ella’s shirt, was actually not suitable for a nice blind hem. Oops!
Perhaps it would improve with fabric stabilization, more experience, or different thread? But after learning it was likely due to the fabric, I switched to plan B.
In the second half of the video, they show how to create a nice accent stitch on the hem with a 2-thread flatlock (left needle). You adjust the foot a bit wider, in the middle between your needle and the knife. The method of sewing the hem is otherwise the same.
Here we go
The result of these settings is the opposite of a blind hem, but on a child’s shirt, that can work just as well. So, a pink thread in the needle, and one last test swatch.
Yes, that looks great! I’m confident to try this on Ella’s shirt.
It didn’t become a blind hem. But I am very happy with the result! Such an accent stitch in a contrasting color looks really nice. I’m sure I’ll use this more often when sewing t-shirts, dresses, and other children’s clothing from jersey.
Another Lesson Learned
So, this project turned out differently than expected. I’m very curious how the foot sews over thicker fabric. Soon, I’ll try it with different types of fabric.
There’s always something to learn and discover, it’s never boring for sure.
Until next time!
Irene
Der Beitrag Blind hem foot for a “not-so-blind hem” erschien zuerst auf BERNINA Blog.