| ================= Sewing A Thick Hem ================= § As a new weaver, I don't have much experience; but sewing is my specialty. The most common problem in sewing hems on thick fabric is breaking needles from uneven thicknesses. Starting on the edge going to a thicker area causes the sewing machine needle to sew at an angle and hit the throat plate and break or bind up. The solution is to use a hump jumper or jeanamajig (Dritz Jean A Ma Jig). These butt up against the fabric over the feed dogs so that the presser foot sews level. Be sure and use the correct size needle. I have an old (25-30 year) Kenmore that I love and it sews through just about anything. Just remember to put you needle down into the fabric before you lower the presser foot. Start about 1/2" in from the edge then backstitch and your threads won't bunch up. You can get 14 and 16 denim needles which will sew through many layers of denim. >>> What's a "jean a ma jig"? <<< The jean-a-ma-jig acts a leveling device. You put your sewing machine needle in the fabric and put the jean-a-ma-jig behind the fabric butting it up next to the fabric and then lower your presser foot. In effect your presser foot is resting on your fabric and on the jean-a-ma-jig and stays on the jig until your presser foot sews all the way on your fabric. At the end of the seam you put the jig next to the end of the seam and sew off the fabric on to the jig. You just keep moving the jig until you are sewing level. There is a slot in the jig to keep your needle from hitting the plastic. You can find a jean-a-ma-jig at your local fabric store, X-mart, or on-line. Using it works best better than trying to explain it. Wanda Eddleman § |
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| What's a "jean-a-a-jig"? |
