Continuing with techniques taught by the talented Nancy Zieman, today we give you an excerpt from her book,
Sewing A to Z.
Hems
Nearly
everything you sew has a hem—skirts, pants, sleeves; even home décor items such
as curtains and table linens. By using a few simple hints, you can turn this
time-consuming chore into a simple sewing task.
1. Prepress
the hem on each flat piece before stitching it to another piece. This is a
great timesaving technique. Use an Ezy-Hem Gauge to provide an accurate
measurement and to avoid leaving a hem impression on the right side of the
fabric. Place the gauge on the wrong side of the fabric. Fold up the hem
allowances over the gauge to the desired width and press. (HM1)
2. Grade the seam allowances within the hem area to reduce bulk. (HM2)
3. Finish
the cut edge of the hem by zigzagging or serging. (HM3)
4. Hand
stitch the hem in place using a blind hem stitch.
• Thread a
needle with a single strand of thread. Cut the thread about 18" long. The
thread will tangle and knot more easily if it is too long. Knot one end of the
thread.
• Fold back
the hem edge so ¼" of
the edge shows. (HM4)
• Work from
right to left.
• Take a
tiny stitch in the hem; then take a tiny stitch in the project about ¼" ahead of that stitch. Pick up
only one or two threads in the fabric.
• Take a
stitch in the hem edge about ¼" ahead
of the last stitch.
• Repeat,
alternating stitches between the hem edge and the project. Don’t pull the
stitches too tight or the hem will pucker. (HM5)
5. As an
option, stitch the hem using a machine blind hem stitch.
• Fold back
the project edge so about ¼" of
the hem edge shows.
• Adjust your
sewing machine for a blind hem stitch as detailed in your owner’s manual.
• Stitch so the straight stitch
falls in the hem allowance and the zigzag just catches the project at the
fold. (HM6)
We want to give a copy of Nancy's book to one lucky follower!
Click the link below then fill out the form to enter!
Click the link below then fill out the form to enter!
Winners announced next Monday.
Please tell me that you didn't know what the word "infamous" meant when you used it to describe Nancy Zieman. She is the exact opposite of the meaning of this word. I agree that she is "famous", but "infamous".....no way!!
ReplyDeleteWe apologize for the incorrect use of the word...thanks to Word's spellchecker for the slip and thank you for catching it! We love Nancy and don't want to insinuate anything to the contrary!
DeleteI would love to enter this give away. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter and a chance to win Nancy's book! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win this great book.
ReplyDeleteI used to watch Nancy when she first started her TV programs--I had to hold the rabbit ears on the TV to keep the picture because we didn't have cable in that new neighborhood yet!!! She gave me confidence--thank you, Nancy!
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