Hell no, we won't hand-sew

[telerib]

There is really not much to the veil project. Take long rectangle, hem. Pin to band on head. Done. So it seems like a good place to go all period technique, doing that long hem by hand.

If there is something I have learned working on a smaller silk veil, it's that I don't especially like hand-sewing. Especially long, boring projects. Like an 8' long hem. I know that if this weren't a scored competition, I would not even think twice about zipping this through the sewing machine.

So, that's what I'm going to do. Whether or not it's hand-sewed is not important to me. (If it ever does become important, I can rip out the machine hem and do it over, too. It's not like I'm welding it in place.) So, I'm not going to spend precious hours working on something I don't care diddley-squat about, all to squeeze another point out of a competition.

Comments

[scaharp.livejournal.com]

Try using a technique called Fine Machine Hem. This will have the advantage of looking a little more like a rolled hem (to maybe partially appease the judges), and having less bulk than a double-fold machine-sewn hem (which is also more like a rolled hem). This is what Two Cats (the garb & fabric biz I'm involved in) uses for our veils, and often people think they are hand-hemmed.

1. Optional step, mainly for veils that are oval or circular, or fabric that is at all stretchy: straight stitch 1/2" or 5/8" in from the edge of veil, all the way around. (You probably don't have to do this but I thought I should mention it in case you ever use the method for a circle veil)

2. Iron in a single fold right on that line of stitches, all the way around the veil. Hey, if you're using wool, be careful with that iron! ;)

3. Set your machine's zig-zag stitch for a fairly narrow width and short stitch length. You'll want to experiment to see what works best with your machine and fabric. Zig-zag right on the edge of the fold all the way around.

4. Using small, sharp embroidery scissors (I like the ones that are angled), carefully trim away the 1/2" or 5/8" waste, trimming close to the zig-zag stitches/edge, but not cutting the thread. This will be a little tricky at the corners.

Voila! If I haven't explained it well enough, let me know. Usually I draw pictures to go along with the explanation.

[scaharp.livejournal.com]

P. S. Apparently it's also called Zig Zag Baby Hem or somethingorother. Here's a good step-by-step with pictures, though they sound a little more finicky about it. ;P
<http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/zig-zag-baby-hem>

[telerib.livejournal.com]

No, that makes sense. Thanks, I will try it!