TUTORIAL - How to do a rolled hem on a serger
Your serger is great for sewing seams on knits and stretch fabrics and also for finishing seam allowances neatly. But it can do other things too! One of my favorite uses for my serger is to do rolled hems. A rolled hem is were the machine folds the fabric under a tiny bit and then stitches it. You will frequently see this around the edges of napkins and tablecloths but also on a lot of knit clothing, You may have seen rolled hems done on a standard machine but this is MUCH faster and easier!
All sergers are different but the basics are the same. I’ll walk you through the steps.
Here’s a serger set up for standard serging. Do you see that stitch finger just above and right of the foot? You want to disengage that. On most sergers, you simply pull a switch forward to slide the finger forward and out of the way. For other sergers the stitch finger is attached to the needle plate and you switch to a rolled hem plate. Be sure to check your manual.
First thing, disengage or remove the upper knife. Usually this is as easy as turning a knob. Next, I pull the red switch forward to switch from S for standard to R for rolled.
Next, shorten your stitch length to R (again, for Rolled. Clever, huh?) which is basically 1 1/2.
With your fabric face up, slide it under the presser foot ad start stitching. You see how the fabric folds under the threads stitch over the edge. (FYI, I just use 3 threads for this, no need for the 2nd needle thread).
Here’s a view from the wrong side. The right side view is up top. That’s it! Very simple. You can try other variations likes shortening the stitch even more to create a marrow edge or stretch the fabric to create a lettuce edge.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.
August 11th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I never thought to try the rolled hem. I just went and tried it. It works great. This tute was especially informative for me, since we have the exact same serger!
August 11th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
[…] Nicole at Stitch Craft has a tutorial showing you how to sew a rolled hem with a serger. […]
August 11th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I bought a serger not too long ago and need confidence in using it…….this tutorial seems wonderful………….napkins would be something I would like to start with….any suggestions for the most appropriate fabric to use for them?
Please feel free to email me. Thanks again.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Thank you for the tutorial! I am thinking of just breaking down and getting a serger finally–partly so I can do stuff like this!
August 11th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Thank you. This is perfect timing. I needed to learn this.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:51 am
*sigh* if only those of us who bought older sergers with no manual could figure it out. No “R” setting or the like.
August 12th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I have what is probably a stupid question.
I am not happy with the way I am finishing seams. The thread that’s left over, I mean. I sew a knot in it then cut it off, but it’s not as neat as it could be. And it’s such a basic thing that no one seems to have any information on it out there. How do you do it?
August 12th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Shirley - try basic quilting cottons (broadcloth) for your napkins as it’s one of the easiest fabrics to work with. Or get fancy and try linen!
August 12th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Ollie - what brand and model serger do you have?
August 12th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Kate - try threading the tails through a large eye needle and pull them back through the chain. It looks really clean and neat.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
This is a great time saving idea, I love it. It would especially work well on ruffles and crib skirts, even for edging bows, if you are looking for a textured feel to add to the finish of the bow. I’ll will be passing your site on for sure!
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:12 am
I’m so glad I found this site…Keep up the good work
September 8th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Do you disengage the cutter when doing a rolled hem.
What size needle should I use on shiffon.
Thank you.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Hi Mary,
Yes, you definitely need to disengage the cutter before you do the rolled hem. Double check your manual to find out how to this for your model. I would use smaller needles like a size 10 for chiffon.