Trystan's Costume Closet
  • About Me
  • Costumes
  • Articles
  • SCA

Blind hem beat by stich-witchery

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Trystan
Petticoat in-progress

Gown with petticoat, in-progress

After finding a very helpful video showing how to do a blind hem stitch on your sewing machine, I realized I need a new foot for my machine. Additional research showed I might could use a specific guide, not necessarily a full foot. I’ll check and see if I already have such a thing (because, after all, I owned a rolled hem foot for a decade before knowing what it was, much the less trying to use it). However, hopes are not high.

Odds are, I’ll be using stitch-witchery on this hem, just in case I don’t get around to the ruffle. See? Trystan is a sewing slacker! That’s something y’all can count on, like death and taxes.

Later that night…

Looks like the machine blind hem stitch may not be the answer for me. I followed the video’s instructions — eyeballing it seemed to be OK. But I didn’t like the result. There’s a 1/8th” pleat that it creates when I fold the bit back. My hem measurement isn’t *that* exact, but still. I don’t enjoy messing up with my already approximate length. I’m probably doing it wrong though.

Anyway, I used iron-on hem tape, and hemmed the entire 130″ of the petticoat in about 15 minutes. Can’t beat that with a stick!

Have to hem mark and hem the polonaise itself, and then I’ll have the whole argument with myself again. Harumph. When can I get on to the trimming?!?

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

More Posts:

Posted in 18th Century | Tags: stripey polonaiseville, tools |
« Pleating hell
So close »

Search This Site

Posts by Topic

18th-c pale blue suit 1560s black & white Medici gown 1580s burgundy court gown accessories accessory challenge Aouda bling books corsetry cosi fan tutte costume college cross-dressing Eugenie project fabric failure is always an option finished costume France group costumes handsewing is weird hats historical portrait historical research jewelry last-minute sewing Leonard macaroni made by Sarah makin' a muslin menswear pattern drafting pink & black robe a la francaise pretty in pink ruffs SCA garb shopping sleevils to-do list travel trim trim trim twisted historical undies Valois gown Venetian carnevale Venetian courtesan wigs

Costume Closet on Facebook

Costume Closet on Facebook

Follow My Frock Flicks Posts

Frock Flicks Free-for-All June
5 June 2026 - The Frock Flicks Team

You asked for it, so here’s an occasional open thread to bitch about anything tangentially [...]

TBT: Edward the King (1975): Episode 3
4 June 2026 - Kendra

I’m continuing on with watching the miniseries Edward the King (1975) in desperate hopes of [...]

WCW: Lillie Langtry
3 June 2026 - Kendra

I’m kind of surprised that Lillie Langtry (1853-1929), English “professional beauty,” socialite, actress, and producer, [...]

Costume Designer Lorna Ó Ríordáin: The Frock Flicks Guide
2 June 2026 - Kendra

Irish costume designer Lorna Ó Ríordáin (aka Lorna Marie Mugan) has designed several key frock [...]

MCM: Beethoven
1 June 2026 - Sarah Lorraine

On today’s installment of Man Candy Monday, we are looking at the various portrayals of [...]

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© Trystan L. Bass