Hi everyone! I made a shirt out of synthetic moleskin. All that’s left is the hem, but I can’t get a crease in this stuff! I would use my narrow rolled hem foot, but the fabric is too thick. I’ve tried using steam, no steam, high heat, and low heat. If there’s too much heat, the fabric shines. So how do I press a crease?
Thanks in advance! Jo
Replies
Try white household vinegar. It's good for setting creases and removing them. I have never had it mark anything, but of course test first. The smell goes away immediately. If nothing else works, I'd use the system where you stitch one-fourth inch below the hem line, turn up and stitch one-eighth inch, trim very closely, and turn up and stitch again. I have found that with that first stitching in place I can guide the fabric well enough with my fingers. How did you press the seams? Galey
So, would you just spray vinegar on the fabric and then press? Actually I serged most of the seams - the sleeve seam I pressed over a ham, but somehow that is easier than trying to fold over and press a specific measurement.
Thanks for the advice! I will try both suggestions and see which works better.
Whatever technique you try should be auditioned on scraps first. I'd be careful trying to press this, as you may end up melting the nap or worse. Your best bet is probably to topstitch, rather than blind hem stitch. This type of fabric just doesn't take a crease.
I have read instructions that said use half vinegar, half water, and I always use straight vinegar. I can't emphasize enough test, test, test.
Basically I agree with pasdenom that this hem will have to be topstitched and I was trying to give directions for a narrow hem. God bless you, Galey
My commercially made synthetic moleskin shirt has a topstitched narrow hem, but I'm wondering if you might just leave it flat and serge the edge to finish it and give it a little weibht. Real suede and leather are often left unhemmed, just cut neatly at the bottom.
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