Wired hem question

Samirah-NH · 07-19-2007, 08:13 PM

I've seen mention of wired hems & like the looks that I've seen in the Swap Meet. I have a skirt that I really love & think would look great with a wired hem. How difficult would it be to wire the hem, and where would I find the wire needed to do so?

kina · 07-19-2007, 08:52 PM

I think it's filament, like what's used for fishing lnes, but I'm not a 100% sure. Dunno how hard it would be to do it.

aazura · 07-20-2007, 07:55 AM

Kina's right, it is a filament. Use fishing line. I've never put one in myself, but I would think it would be easier with a serger than with a regular machine. Maybe if you did a tight rolled hem around the wire, serging over the top??

tamrahennatx · 07-20-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aazura

Kina's right, it is a filament. Use fishing line. I've never put one in myself, but I would think it would be easier with a serger than with a regular machine. Maybe if you did a tight rolled hem around the wire, serging over the top??

I've always wanted to know how to do this! Do we have any seamstresses in the house?

FayrouzFarasha · 07-20-2007, 09:31 AM

I have done this successfully on 6 circle skirts. What I use is fishing line. When you pull it off the spool it lays in curls; these curls are what causes the hem to "ruffle." I set my serger up to do a rolled hem then feed the line in so that the line goes under the pressure foot into the serging threads. Then it is a matter of serging the ends and carefully feeding the line on top making sure that it stays out from under the cutting blade. You need to leave at least 6 inches of line on either end of the hem because the final step is to pull the hem taught over the line. Which is what makes the hem stand out and curl. Then I glue the corners to prevent the fishing line from working it's way out. Make sense?

tamrahennatx · 07-20-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FayrouzFarasha

I have done this successfully on 6 circle skirts. What I use is fishing line. When you pull it off the spool it lays in curls; these curls are what causes the hem to "ruffle." I set my serger up to do a rolled hem then feed the line in so that the line goes under the pressure foot into the serging threads. Then it is a matter of serging the ends and carefully feeding the line on top making sure that it stays out from under the cutting blade. You need to leave at least 6 inches of line on either end of the hem because the final step is to pull the hem taught over the line. Which is what makes the hem stand out and curl. Then I glue the corners to prevent the fishing line from working it's way out. Make sense?

Yes, thank you!

Samirah-NH · 07-20-2007, 10:07 AM

Fishing line? Wow, I never would have thought of that. I was thinking it might be something a little more substantial, but then again, I've never seen one of these hems in person. Thanx for the info!

I don't have a serger.

I don't even know what a serger does. (hangs head in shame) LOL

tamrahennatx · 07-20-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samirah-NH

Fishing line? Wow, I never would have thought of that. I was thinking it might be something a little more substantial, but then again, I've never seen one of these hems in person. Thanx for the info!

I don't have a serger.

I don't even know what a serger does. (hangs head in shame) LOL

Fishing line is just a common name for nylon monofilament. It's better than wire because it won't kink on you. The type of monofilament that is used for these hems is heavier guage than the fishing line you would use on a regular fishing pole (unless you like the big game, lol).

You can find it at craft and fabric stores. You could probably use a regular sewing machine and a rolled hem foot, but a serger is easier to use. A serger creates those finished seams you find on the insides of commercial clothing. It also does neat rolled hems on chiffon and silk, and is great for finishing chiffon skirts and veils. Serged seams work best on lycra fabrics, too.

laura 2 · 07-20-2007, 10:24 AM

Fishing line is actually quite strong. I use it to alter and secure all the hooks in my costumes, and I've yet to have anything come apart.

FayrouzFarasha · 07-20-2007, 10:29 AM

All I have ever used is 30 lb test that I bought at Walmart, but seriously if a seam is going to have more than 30 pounds of stress the fishing line is the least of the problems.

je_ateek · 07-20-2007, 10:34 AM

FayrouzFarasha,
Thanks for the 6" on each side tip- I never did this and my hems were all kinda blah. Now I know!
Yay, I learned something....

tamrahennatx · 07-20-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FayrouzFarasha

All I have ever used is 30 lb test that I bought at Walmart, but seriously if a seam is going to have more than 30 pounds of stress the fishing line is the least of the problems.

Hahaha!

I was basing my estimates on the fishing line I've seen in some of my costumes. It seems pretty stout!

FayrouzFarasha · 07-20-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by je_ateek

FayrouzFarasha,
Thanks for the 6" on each side tip- I never did this and my hems were all kinda blah. Now I know!
Yay, I learned something....

When doing 3 continuous panels there is a lot of line that can be taken up. I try to not cut it off the spool until I'm done stretching the seam.

mandyt · 07-20-2007, 01:56 PM

I make costumes.
If you use a serger or overlocker on the roll hem setting & go round the bottom of the skirt 2 or 3 times. You will get the same effect because the hem becomes stiff & waves.
If stretchy fabric, slightly stretch the fabric as you sew.

tamrahennatx · 07-20-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyt

I make costumes.
If you use a serger or overlocker on the roll hem setting & go round the bottom of the skirt 2 or 3 times. You will get the same effect because the hem becomes stiff & waves.
If stretchy fabric, slightly stretch the fabric as you sew.

That's an excellent suggestion, I'll be trying this out.

Kalirah · 07-20-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Fishing line is just a common name for nylon monofilament. It's better than wire because it won't kink on you. The type of monofilament that is used for these hems is heavier gauge than the fishing line you would use on a regular fishing pole (unless you like the big game, lol).

We fish halibut and Pacific/Alaska salmon here... its no problem getting the heavy weight line even in our local grocery stores! You'd think I'd have ruffled edges on all my skirts... but alas, no

Marianna · 07-23-2007, 12:31 AM

It is very easy to do. Hem the skirt first, and then you hem it again with the fishing line rolled under the hem. I don't have a serger, I use the sewing machine, with the same settings as a regular hem. Make sure you use fishing line with 20-30 lbs, and not the thin ones.

Also make sure you leave enough length. After you leave your skirt to hang for a couple of weeks, trim it to your height, but don't cut it exactly. Leave a few inches, because hemming with the fishing line will pull the edges up, so you could end up with a skirt too short, that cannot be fixed.

Marianna
www.marianna.cc

Samirah-NH · 07-23-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marianna

Also make sure you leave enough length. After you leave your skirt to hang for a couple of weeks, trim it to your height, but don't cut it exactly. Leave a few inches, because hemming with the fishing line will pull the edges up, so you could end up with a skirt too short, that cannot be fixed.

This skirt is already hemmed. And it's actually too long right now - I have to roll the waistband twice in order not to step on it - so adding the wired hem would improve the length. BUT... the skirt is so full (front panel is one full half circle, back is two half circles), so it's waaaay beyond my ability to do this & have it come out right. I may try to find a seamstress who'd be willing to do it for me.