Stitch question: What do you call....

[NicoleBridget]

...the type of stitch used to decoratively bind/encase a raw edge?  I'll try to describe what I'm thinking of since the only picture I found was in a book: a white sleeve wrist ruffle has a completely bound edge in black thread.  It looks decorative as it's in such a bold contrasting color and usually paired with blackwork embroidery.

Is this called overcast?  Buttonhole?  Rolled hem?  Super crazy extra mini zigzag?  I can't seem to find an answer and it's driving me crazy.  I'm trying to Google it to find out HOW to do it (I don't have a serger) but I have no idea what it's even called!  Anyone else? 

[Kate XXXXXX]

Sounds like a serged rolled hem.  Like this?



It's done with the rolled hem process and a bulk thread.  You can do it as a contrast in a different coloured thread, or match your fabric as I did on this chiffon.

[Adriana Rose]

Does it look like this??

|_|_|_|_|


imagine it on fabric lol

I think its called a running stitch when you hand sitch it

[Lady Rosalind]

Blanket stitch, maybe?

http://stitchschool.blogspot.com/2009/12/blanket-stitch.html  (Link to instructions)

[irish]

Lady Rosalind ...... I was also thinking a blanket stitch, but stitched closer together.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

That looks like a Blanket Stitch to me as well. When done very close together, it is often used for fininishing hand done buttonholes. 

[NicoleBridget]

I'm thinking more of what Kate posted.  Definately not a blanket stitch, it was solid all around.  So I guess I'll try searching for rolled hems by hand.  Thanks everyone!

[gem]

A hand-done rolled hem won't completely cover the roll of fabric like a serged one will. (It's also a colossal PITA.) You can buy "rolled hem" feet for standard machines--but from what I understand, it's not a true rolled hem. It's just a very, very tiny narrow hem (flat, without the roll).

Can you take a picture of the sleeve in the book so we can see what you're looking at?

[Aunty Lou]

A tiny blanket stitch over the narrowly folded hem will make a solid line, as will simply whipping the embroidery floss arpound it.  By machine, a narrow zigzag set with the stitch count set very high will also produce a solid edge.  Like Kate's.  If the fabric is heavier, the edge will stay flat, if lightweight, the fabric will ruffle up a bit...

[NicoleBridget]

Here are the pics I was looking at.  They come from Tudor Costume and Fashion and the text references double running stitch, overcast, and buttonhole stitching!

[raevyncait]

A hand-done rolled hem won't completely cover the roll of fabric like a serged one will. (It's also a colossal PITA.) You can buy "rolled hem" feet for standard machines--but from what I understand, it's not a true rolled hem. It's just a very, very tiny narrow hem (flat, without the roll).

Can you take a picture of the sleeve in the book so we can see what you're looking at?

I honestly don't know whether or not what we've been doing with my roomie's Viking Rolled Hem Foot is truly a rolled hem, but it looks just like the finished "rolled hem" I've seen on several items I've bought from various reputable vendors.  We have discovered that her rolled hem foot is FABULOUS for things like muslin, silks cotton and cotton blends (non stretchy) fabrics, but that the one which was gifted to me for my singer is NOT good for those blends, and we suspect (having not thought to do research when we were at the computer, and had much on our plates of late) that, as it's narrower and has a smaller "rolled" hook or whatever, it's quite possibly for chiffon and very lightweight/thin nylon type fabrics.  The one we've been able to get to work well creates a wonderful finish for the edges of skirts, chemises, bloomers and wrap pants. It does take some practice to get the hang of it, and it's easy to get a bit of it out of the roll if you aren't careful, but overall, I find it easier to do that than to do all the folding and pinning of larger hems.

[NicoleBridget]

Aunty Lou...thank you for your suggestion.  Because of it I got out my manual and found out that my machine HAS an embroidery satin stitch option for overcasting!  I couldn't believe it, I actually did a happy dance!  The instructions for it was just a little note on the page about zigzag stitches.  I fiddled with it and couldn't get it quite right but with some more practice I'm sure I'll get it.  Soooo cool.

[gem]

Nicole, what kind of machine do you have?

[NicoleBridget]

Gem, it's a Bernina Artista 180.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of it.  Last time I did the happy dance because I found a stitch which clean finishes seams like sergers do.  Oh and another when my husband and I figured out how to get embroidery designs from my computer TO the machine.  Though now that I've monkeyed around with the embroidery feature a bit, I'm learning the limitations and getting frustrated...

[Cilean]

I was going to mention the Viking/Pfaff rolled hem as well, I know Singer and Kenmore have something similar, I am sure others have it as well.

Nicole I understand when you find out limitations but remember? Limits are what others place because they have not yet thought of what you want to so. Look at your machine as any possibility and then make it work for you!

Good luck!