Replies

1. 
   nursewing | Dec 16, 2006 09:33am | #1

   I sew professionally & purchased a blind hem machine brand new & it just goes way too fast for me. I am in N. Calif.

   Marcia

1. 
   cashew | Dec 16, 2006 03:00pm | #2

   What brand did you purchase?

1. 
   nursewing | Dec 16, 2006 09:56pm | #3

   It only says" Blindstitcher" on it with the initials "CE" on it. Anybody ever heard of it & what to do if it goes so fast you can't keep up. I have had my sewing instructor tell me that the blindstitch machine is the hardest machine to get used to  of all the machines she has sewn on or taught.

   MArcia

1. 
   cashew | Dec 17, 2006 11:14pm | #4

   Thanks.  I was looking at a Baby Lock, but I haven't tried it yet.  I hope someone who has had a good experience responds, but I appreciate your input.

1. 
   nursewing | Dec 18, 2006 03:17am | #5

   I am in love with my Baby Lock Evolve. It threade the loopers itself. Easy to work. There is a less expensive Baby Lock serger that does not do this nor does it have the cover stitch. I say take the plunge for the Baby Lock Evolve.

   Marcia

2. 
   user-113028 | Feb 22, 2007 06:54pm | #14

   I think this may be the brand of blind hemmer that I purchased several months back from my local dealer.  Only one person there knows a little bit about using it (she has one, but she has a lot of machines and likes to purchase lots of gadgets) and I have had very little luck with the machine.  Recently, I was able to get it going and hemmed one side of my drapery panel in no time flat, but then I broke a needle and had some problems after that with it not wanting to pick up the threads and would pull out.  I have  a LOT of problems with broken thread.  I think I am going to try going to a shop that sells upholstery fabrics, etc. and see if they have a stronger thread that may work better.  I wish I could find a good video demonstrating use of it, as the little manual that came with it is not very good at all.  I really want to be able to figure out how to use it well to recoup some of the money I spent on the thing.

1. 
   nursewing | Feb 27, 2007 09:30pm | #18

   After monthso f having it sit on the shelf because I was too intimidated by it I pulled it out & played with it. I too could not get the threads to catch & they looped up so I got the book out & realized it was trouble with threads breaking. Don't use anything special just the Metler(sp) polycotton. Marcia

2. 
   user-113028 | Feb 28, 2007 12:30am | #19

   Thanks Marcia, I haven't tried Mettler, but have some and will try it.  I am supposed to take it to the shop where I purchased it tomorrow so they can try to help me. Wish me success.

3. 
   nursewing | Feb 28, 2007 07:07am | #20

   good luck. they should not charge you for it. the little old man I bought mine from is our of business due to health problems. Marcia

4. 
   user-113028 | Feb 28, 2007 08:28pm | #21

   Thank you!

5. 
   nursewing | Mar 01, 2007 06:52am | #22

   Would you let me know what your repair man said was the problem? Marcia

6. 
   user-113028 | Mar 02, 2007 08:40pm | #23

   Marcia, they have called me and said that the timing was off.  They also recommended I use a RA 25wt quilting thread on the drapes I am working on.  They are silk and I am using lining and interlining. The person that normally repairs and services the machines for this shop is not the one who actually fixed it.  It was someone who works part time for the shop who actually owns a blind hemmer.  I think it is rare for this shop to sell a blind hemmer and they aren't real familiar with them.  I am just going to wait until the person who fixed it and who owns one herself is working on Tuesday before I pick it up so that I can try it out at the store and if I have problems, maybe she can help me.

   If any of you ever run across a video or book regarding blind hemmers, I would appreciate it if you would pass it along.  The manual (leaflet) that came with mine is not very helpful at all.  When I mentioned to the repair person at the shop that I wish I had a video, she said it wouldn't be much of a video because there is not much to the machine.  I think now that she has tried to fix mine, maybe she would rethink that answer. They may be simple machines, but they surely can be a pain to get to work properly.  I sure hope I have better luck this time.

   Edited 3/2/2007 12:45 pm ET by Maw Maw

7. 
   nursewing | Mar 03, 2007 08:26am | #24

   I have also  been told they are ther hardest machines to get used to. I agree but when working they run like a dream. I also learned to watch the fabric at the edge where you line up the fabric & not at the needle & I also hold the fabric up slightly. Practice on it. Good luck. Marcia

8. 
   user-113028 | Mar 04, 2007 08:29pm | #25

   Thanks Marcia.  You have also hit on another problem.  I think (as long as it is working properly), if I would practice more it would certainly help.  Due to work and family committments, I tend to sew in sessions when I can fit it in, instead of being able to sew on a regular schedule.  Of course, I am sure I am not alone as there are millions of us out there who are working full time and families, etc., so not complaining, just wish I had more time to devote to it.

9. 
   nursewing | Mar 04, 2007 10:14pm | #26

   I understand. Then when we do get time to sew we don't have time to "mess" with a machine we are unfamiliar with to practice on it. Marcia 

10. 
    nursewing | Mar 05, 2007 06:43am | #27

    I fought with my blindhemer for almost 2 hours this afternoon. I am going to take iti n again tomorrow & let them know it has only worked once since I bought it. The tension disc does not hold onto the thread. It keeps popping out of the disc & then I get floppy threads. Marcia

11. 
    user-113028 | Mar 05, 2007 06:39pm | #28

    I surely do feel your pain. I hope you can get it working smoothly.  I hope to get mine back tomorrow.  I am going to try to make time to sew on it while at the store.

12. 
    user-113028 | Mar 05, 2007 06:48pm | #29

    Marcia, just curious, by your login, I am wondering if you are a nurse?  I am.

2. 
   NovaSkills | Dec 18, 2006 07:46am | #6

   Both of these are professional blind hemmer models, truly industrial in speed and capability. I think the TacSew may be better, but not sure.

   If you aren't sure about which, try both if you can. This type of machine is not as intuitive to operate as an industrial straight stitcher, and consider also the table setup it comes with when you pick.

1. 
   user-238478 | Feb 03, 2007 02:03am | #7

   This discussion hasn't been to the top of the list for a while...

   You might try a local or at least big city near you... with repair for industrial machines and look into a different motor system that will slow it down.  I am assuming a lot here, that the machine you have has the separate motor under the table...

   just a thought!

   Nancy

3. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | Feb 05, 2007 03:17am | #8

   I have a Tacsew portable blind hemmer.I paid $600.00 new 7 years ago and never had a problem.I bought it from Atlanta Threads catalog All but one of my machines are portable and it is wonderful to move each to the spot at my large padded table(covered hollow core doors) where I can sew my drapes.Practise with scrap fabric till you get the feel of it and sit back a bit, as it sews fast.Keep fingers out from back as well as front, you can get hurt. Let the machine do its thing. Good luck, Susan

1. 
   cashew | Feb 05, 2007 05:37pm | #9

   Thanks Susan!  The response to my question has been extremely limited.  Yours is, by far, the most helpful.  The only machine I could find in my area (where it seems few people sew) was a BabyLock.  The hem stitch on that was a chain stitch - like the sort you get on a bag of bird seed or dog food.   I want one that provides an edge that looks serged.   I sew professionally, but only about 20-30 hours a week.  It's really a hobby job.  My specialty is weddings, but I also do occasional curtains and alterations.  The machine would be fun to have but it would take me a while to work off the cost.  Thanks again.  Nancy

1. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | Feb 05, 2007 10:04pm | #10

   Hi again, I also have a blindstitch on my Viking Rose which I bought used,and there are also binding stitches on this workhorse of a machine , as well as embroidery capabilities.I'd check one out if you get a chance. Susan

1. 
   pinkit | Feb 23, 2007 09:14pm | #15

   Hi:  I know this is not the real discussion but I couldn't help noticeing that you work with a Viking Rose.  I have a Rose and found I am having a great deal of difficulty working on a serious thickness of cloth.  I thought if you do home dec. you might have some suggestions for me.  For instance I seem to have trouble when ever I try to use a #90 needle. It seems to hit against the plate under the feed dogs and make clicking sounds.  I can also see the scratches which it makes there.  Prior to this it was at the repair shop for a clicking sound but the repair man said it worked fine.  Can you suggest what kind of setting I should use.  Perhaps that is the trouble.

1. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | Feb 23, 2007 10:33pm | #16

   Hi, my Rose is a bit sensitive also. It breaks needles at times, so if I go a needle size larger, I find it usually works fine. I too have burrs on my throatplate from this happening. I had a repair man buff it out, at his suggestion and it helped.I bought the Rose when I was on an embroidery kick and I very rarely use it for that ! I use my industrial Phaff for heavy duty .Someone on the forum suggested hammering the thickness a bit. I guess it depends on what you working on. Sorry I don't have a magic solution.

2. 
   pinkit | Feb 26, 2007 08:20pm | #17

   Thanks for the reply concerning the Viking Rose.  Glad to know someone else has had some same experience.  The situation was made worse when the shop I purchased the machine from suddenly closed after being in business for years. I had a maintainance contract but no one to go to.  I went to another highly recommended repair dealer and had the machine cleaned an checked at my own expense again and he found everything running smoothly.  I have an old Singer that would sew over anything and am going to get that serviced and see if it helps with these problems.  I also had trouble working on some fleece and have since attended a class on fleece but they did not use the thick type of fleece I presently have on hand and I hesitate to begin work on the cloth with this machine.  There is a new shop open which claims it will honor some of the contract with the old shop but have not been able to get there (several miles from me) yet. 

4. 
   aunt | Feb 06, 2007 05:41am | #11

   I have a Consew Industrial blind hemmer an it has been a great machine.   I am going to sell it in the next few years...am getting close to retirement.   It is a big green machine with the table and motor mounted beneath.   I would recommend this machine...it has served me well.

1. 
   cashew | Feb 06, 2007 06:14am | #12

   Thanks for your response.  Where did you get it?  Was it expensive? 

1. 
   aunt | Feb 06, 2007 01:55pm | #13

   I've had it for a very long time, (20plus years).   I bought it from a sewing machine dealer.   My husband asked when we were in the store if he ever had blind hemmers to sell and he said he had ordered one for a customer who had passed away before it came in and he just had not put it out front because of the room it took up.   So, we looked at it and it was mine.   I think you can get similar tacsew from Atlanta Thread company...they have a good catalog of machines similar to mine with industrial table and motor.   I don't have any idea what something like this costs today.   Mine was around $500 back then.   I recently asked my dealer what price to put on it when I advertised it and he said 5-7, so it has kept its value. 

5. 
   lynnche | Mar 15, 2007 07:25pm | #30

   I don't know if you have already purchased a blind hemmer as yet, since I just got on here and notice the date is a while back, but I got a Babylock hemmer for my birthday a few years ago. I really like it, just wish I had more time to do ANY sewing lately! The only problem that I have had is that the handle that raises the fabric up (sort of like a reverse presser foot), I have broken a couple of them, but it is quite likely my own fault. I have a tendency to want to crank it up more than is needed, and they are plastic. Fortunately they aren't real expensive, and it can be replaced yourself, and not pay a repair cost. My husband actually "patched" one for me in a pinch, with 5 minute epoxy and some tie-wraps, but I needed to be REALLY careful then =). Good luck.

1. 
   cashew | Mar 15, 2007 11:29pm | #31

   Thanks for your Baby Lock review.  That's the only blind hemmer that I can buy locally.  But when the store gave me a demonstration, the stitch looked more like the one used to close dog food and bird seed bags - not a serged edge like ready-to-wear.  Is that what yours does also?

1. 
   lynnche | Mar 16, 2007 07:28pm | #32

   Mine looks more like a serger stitch than a chain stitch (it does make a stitch downward, kind of like some sewing machines that have an "overlock" or edge-finish stitch), which is what I usually see on bird seed and cat/dog food bags. It isn't exactly like the serger stitch (which I have two Babylocks, an older 2/3/4 thread model, and the Evolve), but definitely closer to that type. From old habit, I typically have already serged the hem edge ahead of time (or folded over if I am doing something a little more detailed), although unless the fabric is extremely prone to ravel, you would probably not need to serge that. Hope this helps. Cherie

1. 
   cashew | Mar 16, 2007 10:01pm | #33

   Thanks. That's helpful.  I got the impression the person demonstrating the machine had never used one before.   The birdseed stitch  might have been the only one she could do at the time.