Sewing the rolled edges

**jred** · 08-06-2010, 19:03

Somewhere I saw where someone suggested using tape to hold it while you sew, but now I can't find it. Do most people use tape or simple pins?

**jbryan** · 08-06-2010, 19:08

I have used both. Lately I have been using pins a lot, mainly because my tape didn't want to stick to the fabric I was working with. If you are having thread tension problems sometimes the tape can help to fix that problem.

**gargoyle** · 08-06-2010, 19:18

I believe the concensus was the tape will clog up the needle and complicate the sewing procedure.
Use the old school fold and pin method.
Or go brave and fold, sew fold sew fold sew. I do most my work this way.
I'll roll the hem to the width I like and stick it under the foot. Hold the hem back with one hand and guide the fabric with the other, sewing 8-12 inches at a time. Stop. roll hem, adjust fabric, sew, repeat.

Place the needle down into the fabric prior to making any adjustments if you plan on things staying put.

**pedro** · 08-06-2010, 20:50

Another option is to take a desk stapler and turn the anvil around so that the staples bend open. I've been stapling instead of pinning lately and I like it a lot better.

**Ramblinrev** · 08-06-2010, 22:00

Originally Posted by pedro

Another option is to take a desk stapler and turn the anvil around so that the staples bend open. I've been stapling instead of pinning lately and I like it a lot better.

Just as an alert... not all desk staplers are so equipped.

**Just Jeff** · 08-06-2010, 22:23

For normal rolled hems, I just learned to roll on the fly. I roll for about 2', sew it down, roll another 2', sew it down, etc. It takes out all the time spend pinning, and after a bit of practice doing it that way my seams are pretty straight.

I'll pin if I'm doing something complicated, or putting 3 pieces of fabric in one seam, etc. But for normal rolled hems on the edge, I don't waste time pinning/taping/stapling anymore. And I'm not a pro like the vendors here or anything.

**kthompson** · 08-06-2010, 23:00

I use mini binder clips. No extra holes that way.

**Big Jim Mac** · 08-06-2010, 23:42

Amazing! Men...talking about sewing. What have we become?

**Just Jeff** · 08-06-2010, 23:56

Naw - we're talking about thread injecting. With power tools. Only women sew.

(er...maybe I should edit my post above to say "...thread inject it down...")

**jred** · 08-07-2010, 00:32

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to try pinning the very beginning, then roll as I go for the rest. I'm not one of those "it has to be straight & even!!!!" guys, I just want it to work