How to use your Rolled Hem Presser FootAs you may know, when I made the ruffle duvet (tutorial coming, I promise), I made about 3000" of hem. There was not a good way to do this by hand, so I decided to learn how to use that rolled hem foot that came with my machine. I read the instructions and practiced on a couple pieces, but the first couple inches were so difficult to feed, they were coming out totally wonky.

But being that I have friends who totally know their sewing stuff, I decided to text the one I just knew would have an answer... Heather from Fiberosity. She edited the McKenzie coat pattern for me, and knows sewing patterns and machines inside out and upside down. And of course she had an answer... not only that, she made a quick video on her phone and texted it to me.

In getting ready for the holidays I decided to make some napkins. The Tea Delights print from Splendor 1920 (in stores now) is screaming to be napkins, placemats, tea towels, runners and table cloths. So, I cut 16 that I planned on making double sided...Like I did in that LillyBelle tutorial ... here. 

I finished all of four of them before I realized I was not up for all that pressing and messing around with miters. Not enough time for starters.

They're cute, right? But more work than I bargained for.

In the end, I cut what would have been backs to the same size as the front and now I have 32 napkins cut which I will simply hem the edges of. Some will go to mom and some to my sister in law who is the hostess for this Thanksgiving. This is a super easy project to do. And napkins always make a great hostess gift... these you can pull off in a matter of a hour!

My napkins are cut at 18 1/2" and finish at 18". 

Here's a quick video I made to show you how to get those hems done lick-ity split with your rolled hem foot.

 

Update 11.28.2012:

Many of you have asked how to hem a second side... like for napkins...  And, yes, it can be difficult. I fiddled with this for some time and this is what I have come up with:

Usually, when I do a hem without a hem foot, I like the corners mitered in order to avoid the very issue we are having with the second side here... bulk. I suggest doing the same when you are using the rolled hem foot.

So, before you get started sewing, fold each corner over 1/4" toward the wrong side of the fabric at a 90 degree angle as pictured below. Use a touch of lapel stick or glue stick to hold it in place. Just pressing it won't work. Without the glue I was finding that the fabric rolled about and got twisted. Just the tiniest dab will keep the fabric in place.

When you finish the first side, don't trim the thread. Just leave the tail and use it for the next side rather than sewing in the inch as you did on the first side. This will again save on unnecessary bulk. Now turn and repeat for the second side as you did the first. While this method did take some practice to get correct, simply turning in those corners and glueing in place really did help quite a bit. The proof is in the pudding below...

I hope this helps. If anyone else has any additional suggestions, let me know.