Sewing the rolled edges

**Just Jeff** · 08-07-2010, 08:02

Originally Posted by jred

I'm not one of those "it has to be straight & even!!!!" guys, I just want it to work

That's good...b/c it probably won't be very straight for your first couple projects!

Just take your time and go slow, and it's not that hard. Pretty soon you'll speed it up and they'll get straighter. Sometimes my seams still aren't perfectly straight...but they still hold the project together.

Besides, if someone feels the need to criticize my stitching, they're probably not my style of hiking partner anyway.

**GrayDog** · 08-07-2010, 08:12

Like walking it's all about your viewpoint. If you are looking at just the area where the needle is injecting, your lines will be all over the place. The further out you can change you field of vision, the easier it is to sew a straight line.

WV · 08-07-2010, 09:36

I'm of the fold and sew school generally, but if I'm doing a catenary curve in silnylon I cut the curve with a small soldering iron on a sheet of masonite. Then I fold 1/4" over and "spot weld" the fold down by just touching the tip of the iron to the fold every inch or so. You need to hold the edge taut with your fingers just long enough for the melted pieces to stick to each other - about half a second. Two fingers push down and spread the fabric while you weld one or two spots between them). With a bit of practice it's faster than pinning, and there are no pins to remove later. Then I fold the seam once more as I sew through the three layers.

**Ramblinrev** · 08-07-2010, 09:52

Originally Posted by GrayDog

Like walking it's all about your viewpoint. If you are looking at just the area where the needle is injecting, your lines will be all over the place. The further out you can change you field of vision, the easier it is to sew a straight line.

The importance of this can not be overstated. Do not look at the needle... its not going anywhere except up and down. (Of course you need to know where it is so you don't puncture your finger.) You want to focus on what ever guideline you have established to line up the edges. Then extend your vision several inches ahead of the guideline as you track the fabric through. What comes out the back of the presser foot is already done. Don't bother tracking it. What you are interested in is the section of fabric about to line up to go through the presser foot. I have probably made it sound more complicated than it is. You'll get the hang of it pretty easily.

**Knotty** · 08-07-2010, 10:34

I'm also from the fold-n-sew camp. Just don't have the patience to pin.

WV's idea of spot welding with a soldering iron looks like it's worth exploring. WV, you're like an idea factory.

**pedro** · 08-07-2010, 10:51

Very interesting technique, WV.

Now I'm going to open up a can of worms. Has anyone here successfully used a rolled hem presser foot on nylon or sil? I've only recently started messing around with a stock 1/8" rolled hem foot. I've gotten the technique down on cotton. I've seen rolled hem feet for wider hems, which I think would be more appropriate for some of our applications, but I just wanted to hear about any experience that others have had.

**Ramblinrev** · 08-07-2010, 11:01

Originally Posted by pedro

Very interesting technique, WV.

Now I'm going to open up a can of worms. Has anyone here successfully used a rolled hem presser foot on nylon or sil? I've only recently started messing around with a stock 1/8" rolled hem foot. I've gotten the technique down on cotton. I've seen rolled hem feet for wider hems, which I think would be more appropriate for some of our applications, but I just wanted to hear about any experience that others have had.

I have never had any luck with a rolled hem presser foot. YMMV

**gargoyle** · 08-07-2010, 13:21

Originally Posted by Knotty

I'm also from the fold-n-sew camp. Just don't have the patience to pin.

WV's idea of spot welding with a soldering iron looks like it's worth exploring. WV, you're like an idea factory.

I second that. Patience and WV, The Idea Factory.

**jred** · 08-08-2010, 14:12

I tested on some scraps, and everything went fine. Once I actually started sewing the seam, the stitch is all messed up. I have the tension set to 4-5 (about half). I started on 4, then moved to 5, but nothing changed. Do I need to lower the tension?

Bottom side:

Top side: