Years ago I bought a panel of 12 men's hankies. I cut them up, thought about the narrow hems and left them in my stash. So yesterday I ordered some accessories for my machine, which just arrived, amongst them a narrow hem foot. 2mm, about 1/12 of an inch, did not sound too bad. You have to fold in the first part, which is doable the first bare side, in fact I like the result, but the corner does something to my self esteem - it shatters my idea of being nimble fingered.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

I too use a piece of thread. I think a sew plate with a siingle hole instead of a slit for zigzag and fancy stitches might be helpful as well - I almost ordered one but it was a bit above this month's budget, but I'l invest in one. It's convenient for straight sewing on delicate material and often recommended for quilting as well - you see I am talking myself into buying one :)

by mops 07 Aug 2016

Husqvarna offers only 2 and 3 mm, the latter for thin fabric. I would have loved a 4 mm! I used a piece of thread to secure the start of the rolled hem, holding on to it the first few stitches. And, yes, the right hand does the steering work.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

I use a long (quilting) pin - avoiding a trip to the kitchen for a cocktail skewer. Some videos show using a specially bought stiletto but improvising works as well.
Hugs to you, Martine

by mops 07 Aug 2016

Thank you. That's the beauty of this site, getting ideas on everything you can think of.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

Never seen those around here, so I occasionally use the cocktail skewers or one of those long pins for quilters with the flat flower heads.

by theduchess 07 Aug 2016

I Just put the wooden skewers in a pencil sharpner for a point. Chop sticks work also.

by Janus48 08 Aug 2016

I have saved a couple of lovely old hat pins for sewing guides. And they always look nice in the pin cushion.

by mops 06 Aug 2016

I usually do too, but prefer a flat hem for a men's hanky. Well, I guess practice makes maybe not perfect but at least more accomplished :)

by mops 06 Aug 2016

For a much older machine (1963 Elna) I had a 4 mm hemmer foot, used it a lot and that was far easier than the narrow one I used now.

Thanks a lot for the link.I watched it after finishing my hankies. I seem to have done the right things.
Actually I started the rolled hem with the fabric out of the curl of the foot, just a few stitches to secure the folded hem, then put the fabric into the roll/curl.

I tried out stitching the second side working towards the just finished hem, instead of turning clockwise and starting at the end of the first hem. It was easier to start at a 'fresh' end, not having to fold the already hemmed bit, and the end of the hem turned in nicely. But it feels as if you are doing something silly.

Well, I finished the dozen and am quite pleased with the result - especially of the later ones, faster and nicer.

by dragonflyer 06 Aug 2016

Thanks for the tips, Martine...it does make more sense that it would be easier to start at a new edge first and work back to the finished edge...

by spendlove 08 Aug 2016

Thank you for the link, Kim. It was very useful.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

I love it for straight edges too, although I mostly use a serged rolled hem, often done with embroidery thread.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

Thank you.

by mops 06 Aug 2016

What worked best for me is sewing the sides anti-clockwise. It goes against the grain, but it is easier to fold an unsewn edge than just turning where you ended; the corners are considerably nicer - except the last one, then you have to start at an already hemmed edge.

by mops 07 Aug 2016

I have got quite a collection of hankies, amongst them beautiful, handmade and hand embroidered Swiss ones, which I never used because they were such expensive gifts. Not the most sensible thing to do! But I still put a hanky in my purse, out of habit.

by mops 05 Aug 2016

once you know how much to 'feed' the foot it works wonder on a straight edge, and on a (slight) curve. But those 90 degree corners.. grr.

by mops 05 Aug 2016

Thank you, I did the first, but not the last. And I used a very long pin at the start plus it bit of tear away - pinned the hankie half an inch lower so the stitching started on the stabiliser.
After the first 5 I moved from my (simple) Iris to the Ruby, which does a far better job. And maybe I got a bit better too (I hope).

by rescuer 05 Aug 2016

I am sure your "bit better" is much better than mine on a good day. They make it all look so easy in the videos or on the showroom floor.

by mops 05 Aug 2016

Thank you for that vote of confidence. I'll see the dealer in a couple of weeks as he has a demo for the 6D upgrade (that was supposed to be available in June) and I'll tackle them for a small hem demo. I am not upgrading as I heard so many complaints on the 6D Yahoo group, I am just curious... That might turn out to be a test of character.