The ability to perform a blind seam on a sewing machine has repeatedly helped out each exemplary housewife. Most often, this type of seam is done manually, due to the fact that not every woman knows how to use all the available features of a sewing machine. But in fact, this is not a big deal. This article will help you learn how to sew with a blind seam and not spoil your favorite thing.
What is a blind seam?
A blind seam is a type of seam that is designed to seamlessly connect various elements of the fabric to each other. The secret of a hidden seam is that it is hidden between several layers of fabric. The technology for processing material on a sewing machine in this way is quite simple, but still it’s worth going through some sewing lessons. It is possible that not everyone will be able to perform a perfectly even seam the first time, so during training it is better to use unnecessary scraps of cotton fabric.
Where are blind seams used?
Before you learn how to sew with a blind seam, you should find out in what cases it is used. Basically, the bottom of the product, which was sewn from thin material, such as cotton, chintz, linen, etc., is treated with this type of seam. Very often it is also used to fit trousers, skirts or dresses. For the hostess, this seam will be indispensable if you need to perform minor repairs of the product on its front side.
Types of sewing machines
Modern sewing machines come in three types: electromechanical, electronic and computer-controlled machines. The most affordable of them, financially, are electromechanical models, in other words, manual ones. They are not suitable for production purposes and for working with dense material. Suppose if you need to repair a coat, then a manual sewing machine may not be able to cope with this task, because most often they have a lightweight mechanism. The most popular models of electromechanical devices can perform about twenty types of seams, including countersunk. A foot for a blind seam, as a rule, comes with a household appliance, otherwise it can be purchased at a specialized store.
Electronic models are controlled by an electronic microprocessor, which sets the necessary modes of the sewing machine. Also, with its help, the needle is controlled, which makes it several times easier to work with seams that are difficult for manual execution. In addition to a blind seam, electronic sewing machines are capable of performing a huge variety of decorative finishing lines, as well as combining them together.
Computer-controlled sewing machines are luxury appliances. They are very expensive, but the functionality of such devices is very impressive. In working with a computerized machine, there is practically no restriction on the complexity of the seam being performed. Such models have two modes: sewing and sewing-embroidery. At the time of purchase, as a rule, dozens of embroidery designs are already embedded in the computer system of the device, but if standard sketches do not suit the buyer, he can easily download the embroidery designs he likes via the Internet. It is clear that for such an advanced model there is no question of how to make a blind seam, but not every housewife can afford to get such a device. And, in fact, for a minor repair and a one-time fit of things, such a machine has nothing to do with it.
Secret seam on a sewing machine: product preparation
Before you start fitting the product, you need to prepare it. Let's say you need to shorten a new skirt. How to prepare it so as not to spoil the new thing? Based on the rules that sewing lessons teach us, product preparation is carried out in the following sequence:
- Expand the existing hem seam. This can be done with a vaporizer or nail scissors. If you plan to shorten the product by a significant length, you can simply trim its lower part.
- Determine the length of the product with a blind seam. To do this, just try on a shortened thing, tuck it to the desired level and secure the excess fabric with pins. It’s quite difficult to make even marks yourself, so use someone’s help.
- Make notes. After fitting, you need to draw a straight, straight line along the entire perimeter of the product in place of the attached pins with chalk or pencil.
- Determine the width of the blind seam and make appropriate marks. For example, if you want the seam width to be three centimeters, then draw a straight, straight line at the same distance from the edge of the product.
- Cut off excess tissue. The cut line should be at a distance of at least two and a half centimeters from the bottom mark.
- Fold the bottom of the product and iron the bend with an iron. If under the first marked line you left exactly two and a half centimeters of fabric, then inside you need to wrap half of this length and iron it well.
- Wrap the edge of the product along the middle mark as the blind seam will pass, and secure it with pins. The remaining lines must be at the same level, only one inside and the other outside the product.
- Unscrew the hem in a line above the edge of the product and secure with pins. At this stage, the bottom line should also be visible, and below it is the smoothed edge of the product.
- Iron the lapel with an iron and remove the pins. In principle, pins can be left, they will not interfere with the progress of the sewing machine.
Sewing machine preparation
If there is a good sewing machine for the home, then there is no need to manually adjust things. But before you use it, you also need to prepare it. This process consists of three simple steps:
- Remove foot for hidden seam. If it was not included with the household appliance, the foot can be purchased at any specialized store.
- Attach the hidden seam foot to the sewing machine. To do this, use the operating instructions for your device.
- Set the appropriate mode. In electromechanical sewing machines, the pattern switch is usually located on the front of the device. The blind seam is indicated by two stitches located away from the main seam.
Now the device is ready for operation, you can safely perform a blind seam. On a typewriter, the sewing process will go much faster and better than a countersunk stitch made by hand.
How to sew a blind seam?
After the preparation process is completed, you can proceed directly to sewing. The product is placed under the presser side with the wrong side, while the crease of the future stitch should be aligned with the guide of the machine foot. The main thing when a blind seam is performed on a sewing machine is not to rush. Otherwise, the seam will turn out uneven and the finished product will get an untidy look. The material must be kept carefully so that the bend of the seam is located directly under the vertical plate. At the end of the work, be sure to check the product for missing stitches. If there are any, it’s not scary. Just remodel the places where the machine did not qualityly sew the bottom of the customized thing. When the work is ready, pull out the remaining pins and iron the blind seam.
How to make a blind seam without a special foot?
If there are no paws in the kit for the sewing machine, and the thing needs to be repaired urgently, there is a way out! Even with a standard foot, you can make a high-quality hidden seam. To do this, do the following:
- insert the slats;
- place the material under the presser side with the wrong side;
- make five straight stitches;
- sew one stitch so that it grips the bend;
- continue sewing in the same way until the edge of the product is completely finished.
Recommendations
Before you make a hidden seam on a sewing machine without a special foot, first practice on a few unnecessary pieces of fabric, so as not to spoil the new thing. After the stitching is completed, be sure to iron the product. It may happen that after ironing, the line from the previous seam will still be visible. In this case, the thing needs to be sent to the wash and the trace from the last hidden seam will disappear forever.