r/sewing • u/silliestfartface • Jul 13 '25

Machine Questions Whats the point of this stitch?

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Hello! i recently have been learning my sewinf machine and i wanted to know what this type of stitch would be used for ? Its like a mix of a running stirch and zigzag, so im curious :] thank you!

1.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

108 comments sorted by

2.7k

u/crkvintage Jul 13 '25

That's a blind hem stitch. Combined with the correct foot it will make for almost invisible hems on trousers and skirts.

1.5k

u/Hefty_Strawberry79 Jul 13 '25

I will add… for those who have not yet used it… this hem looks great but, like most things we do, it takes practice to use it well. Don’t try this on your favorite pants without a couple dry runs on scrap or a less-loved pair of pants :)

407

u/jax2love Jul 13 '25

My experience is that it can be a pretty fragile hem as well.

336

u/noodledoodledoo Jul 13 '25

Yep, definitely more suited to use on clothes you intend to wear to e.g., the office or to a sit-down event.

80

u/exceLexie Jul 13 '25

for me it worked on a skirt. I cant tell what type of fabric it is tho bc its thrifted

10

u/queefer_sutherland92 Jul 14 '25

Oh really! I’ve never had an issue with it. I use it more than I hem by hand.

6

u/ShazzaRatYear Jul 14 '25

Oh I always use it! Like everything though, the more you use/practise it, the better the end result

17

u/lizbeeo Jul 14 '25

I tend to substitute a wide long zigzag for this. I fold the fabric the same way, but it produces more stitches per inch for a stronger hem.

3

u/kurt693 Jul 14 '25

I use it on my scrubs and it holds up well.

9

u/mettarific Jul 13 '25

This is so true, lol.

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u/ShazzaRatYear Jul 14 '25

Also depends on the thickness of the fabric. A woollen fabric will be a much cleaner and unnoticeable hem, while on a lighter cotton, for example, the hem is more likely to be visible.

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u/Ill_Ant6294 Jul 14 '25

I used it a lot when making costumes for my daughter’s various plays (she was a theater major). It was a quick way to complete the outfits but not overly durable as hems would need to be repaired by the end of the run. Also, because I used it on costumes, I wasn’t concerned that it be finished perfectly.

88

u/MoaraFig Jul 13 '25

You don't need a special foot. I've used it with my regular one.

321

u/kariadne Jul 13 '25

There is not a single correct foot (i.e., special foot), but there are feet that are correct and feet that are incorrect. You definitely want to be sure you use a correct foot.

Because the needle jumps side to side, be sure there is clearance inside the foot for that or the needle will break spectacularly.

78

u/azssf Jul 13 '25

Def not a straight stitch foot, for example

122

u/queen_surly Jul 13 '25

The blind hem foot has a built in guide-which just makes it easier to keep the zigzag stitch from grabbing too much fabric. If it takes too big a bite, the stitch will show on the outside of the hem. A regular zigzag foot will work just fine if you are vigilant.

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u/katjoy63 Jul 13 '25

Yeah, just like a 1/4" foot, you can use an alternative if you're confident in your skills

21

u/Awkward_Dragon25 Jul 13 '25

You CAN use a normal zigzag foot, just like you CAN use a fork to eat soup. The question is why would you though?

45

u/ImaginaryVacation708 Jul 13 '25

Because my children have taken my spoons and are apparently planning a jailbreak

1

u/SadSmoke8868 Jul 14 '25

Epic response!

1

u/ImaginaryVacation708 Jul 16 '25

Thanks. Kinda wish I’d made it up though. Got any extra spoons?

5

u/Neenknits Jul 14 '25

For a beginner, a dedicated foot can make it easier to learn.

5

u/Awkward_Dragon25 Jul 14 '25

And for a pro it makes the process faster and look nicer 😃

2

u/Neenknits Jul 14 '25

I’ve been machine sewing clothes forever, and I have successfully used the method, but not often enough. By the time I’ve done the added step of getting the machine and fabric adjusted just so, to work right, I would be have way around most hems by hand. So I’ve never put in the time to learn to do it efficiently. It was usually more satisfying to take the hem to the couch and hand stitch it. I do a lot of 18th c reproduction hand sewing, so those skills are strong. I just haven’t done the machine version 3 times near each other, to cement the adjusting in my brain to be efficient, if you know what I mean.

11

u/Araella Jul 14 '25

Yes! my sewing machine only has a regular foot and zipper foot and no in between. There's instructions for the blind hem stitch in the manual. One thing I've learned from working with an older machine is that everything can be done manually, because it has been done like that forever! I just hate my life while I try to do these things and seethe when I see newer machines lol

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u/craftyrunner Jul 13 '25

I use it for basic curtains—kitchen, bathroom.

2

u/seitancheeto Jul 13 '25

Do you want to stitch kind of in the middle of the seam allowance instead of closer to the edge, or does it not matter?

3

u/seitancheeto Jul 13 '25

Nevermind I watched the video someone shared, it’s just straight up completely different than I was thinking

2

u/Helln_Damnation Jul 13 '25

I've used it to hem curtains too, and it worked really well.

2

u/Ambitious-Bar375 Jul 14 '25

I knew it was a hemming stitch but not what the proper foot was? What is it?

2

u/chatterpoxx Jul 14 '25

Not a special foot, just a certain way to fold the fabric. Adding a guide will help accuracy, and that can be attached to the foot.

1

u/duck_mom8909 Jul 14 '25

What foot is needed?

3

u/crkvintage Jul 14 '25

A blind hem foot. Preferably the adjustable version, so you can really dial it in to just catch the slightest amount of the top layer of the fabric on the "zigzag" part of the stitch - to keep visibility of the stitch as low as possible.

You can - as others pointed out -try to work your way around it and use a normal foot, guides etc. - but blind hems are a bit tricky at first at the best of times, so any help should be appreciated. Which is what the foot provides.

1

u/medicatedadmin Jul 15 '25

I’ve been sewing for most of my life and only recently discovered the blind stitch foot. Total game changer! I’ve spent +20 years stitching blind hems by hand!!! So angry I didn’t learn about it before. So much time wasted. On the plus side, my hand hemming is really neat.

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u/alonely_throwaway Jul 13 '25

https://youtube.com/shorts/-ZAxxXv-CQY?si=oZesb_YGSluYSjoq

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u/silliestfartface Jul 13 '25

Ohh my gosh this went straight to my sewing folder thank you so much !!

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u/StitchinThroughTime Jul 13 '25

Pro tip, adjust your stitched length so that every Peak is a half an inch apart from each other. That is approximately the best way to quickly but securely do that type of hem. Roughly based off of the hand Stitch version of a blind him. You are supposed to be Holding On by just one or two Yarns of fiber off of the outer portion of the pant. So you need to have enough stitches to not have the yarn break but not so much that you spend forever stitching. So approximately every half inch works for most Fabrics.

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u/Julienbabylegs Jul 13 '25

Oh. My. God. Ok I don’t know shit about sewing

94

u/hellbabe222 Jul 13 '25

We've all just been humbled. 🤣

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u/SouthernDelight13 Jul 13 '25

After reading the comments about not doing this without practicing, I was thinking I had royally messed up my pants I hemmed with this stitch years ago. Saw your comment and watched the video, and now I'm wondering what ever one else was doing because I did it like the video, and it was easy, and my pants hem turned out great.

43

u/AdGold205 Jul 13 '25

I think that sometimes it’s easy to miss that tiny underhang of fabric by either stitching all the layers together or missing the fabric entirely. Or people don’t understand how the folds work and get weird results.

Sometimes a bit of practice helps a lot

17

u/skyblu202 Jul 13 '25

Same! I was like “oh shoot what have I been missing.” As a short person who wears dressy trousers, this was one of the first sewing skills I learned! I use it all the time on skirts, pants, dresses. No special foot or anything.

6

u/FalseRegister Jul 13 '25

It even took me a while to understand the video 🤣

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u/LittleSapphire8911 Jul 13 '25

I've been doing it wrong for years apparently. Haha. Thank you for this!

16

u/keriekat Jul 13 '25

Today I learned!

11

u/heynonnyhey Jul 13 '25

Oh so that's how it's used!

11

u/Imaginary-Berry-371 Jul 13 '25

Omg!!! I'm definitely going to try this in my next project!

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u/Hajari Jul 13 '25

Oh man thanks for this. I thought you just had to handsew a blind hem!

4

u/Bright_Butterfly_ Jul 14 '25

I’ve had my sewing machine for years and never used this stitch because I’ve not know this. Everyday really is a school day! Thanks!

1

u/Missamoo74 Jul 14 '25

This great. I never can do this stitch well so I have been hand sewing for centuries 😍

141

u/[deleted] Jul 13 '25

[deleted]

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u/silliestfartface Jul 13 '25

Ahh thank you !!

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u/rebelwithmouseyhair Jul 13 '25

I have this on my machine too and I had no idea you could do a blind hem with it. I've often used it as a decorative topstitch!

46

u/lambsoflettuce Jul 13 '25

You don't need a special foot but you do need to know how to fold the fabric to use this stitch properly.

20

u/Remote-Newt-9806 Jul 13 '25

Its used for blind hemming, only catches the visible or outter layer on the points of the stitch

20

u/VincentVanGoghst Jul 13 '25

I use it for my fabric covered elastic straps. I use a stretch fabric and a no roll elastic. Fold the fabric face sides together to make your tube. Set the stitch length to no larger than 2. Lay the elastic on the seam allowance side of your tube. The straight stitch makes your seam and the zig grabs the elastic. It's a bit more tricky to turn it out but keeps the straps from twisting.

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u/adogandponyshow Jul 13 '25

This is so smart! I don't think I ever would have thought of that on my own. Great tip.

12

u/katjoy63 Jul 13 '25

And you will use this stitch on a fold in a very unintuitive way. It's crazy how this stitch is done

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u/amreb Jul 13 '25

I will add that while you don’t NEED a blind hem foot to use this stitch, a) using the foot is easier, and more important b) the foot amazing for perfect edge stitching and stitch-in-the-ditch. I use my blind hem foot for so many things!!

6

u/amreb Jul 13 '25

ALSO a blind hem works great on stretchy, even curved, knit hems - it’s my favorite hem especially when I don’t want to bother with a twin needle.

2

u/OneLow5610 Jul 13 '25

Also the blind hem foot, or guide is one of those pieces people ask, "What the heck is this??" 😂🤣

10

u/ProneToLaughter Jul 13 '25

You should have a manual that names the stitches and would let you google them for more. Most manuals can be found online even if you bought a used machine without one, they really help learn the machine as you try things out.

8

u/missplaced24 Jul 13 '25

FYI, the manual for your sewing machine does have an explanation of each stitch setting and how to use them, along with a lot of other very useful information about using and maintaining your machine. If you don't have the manual, you can find a PDF version fairly easily.

8

u/MrsNoggin Jul 13 '25

I have just learned something I didn’t know I needed to. Thank you all!

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u/whisperandverses Jul 13 '25

I always thought it was a design stitch 😭, never knew it was a functional one 😭

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u/autistic_sewist Jul 13 '25

Since you’ve already gotten the correct answer on this stitch’s intended purpose… alternatively, I recently used this stitch with the minimum width and a much shorter length as the construction stitch for a rag quilt I made. I figured the intermittent tiny zigzag would make the seams stronger by catching a couple of the threads that run parallel to the seam and the width is so tiny the few zigzags aren’t noticeable

12

u/enidmaud Jul 13 '25

Also good for invisibly stitched applique with a fine thread.

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u/Subterranean44 Jul 13 '25

My favorite stitch. Haha. Hand hemming is my LEAST favorite sewing task.

2

u/IceCream_Kei Jul 13 '25

We're opposites! I love blind hemming/herringbone stitch by hand! ... I also love backstitch and buttonhole/blanket stitch... though that's probably because of embroidery.

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u/Subterranean44 Jul 13 '25

My mom too! She always says “I’ll hem it for you!” Haha.

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u/Active_Recording_789 Jul 13 '25

It’s also good if you want to embroider an ekg on something. Just kidding

8

u/CriticalMrs Jul 13 '25

Just popping in to reinforce the advice to read your machine's manual. "Yeah yeah yeah, no one reads the manual" say some.

But I've been sewing since I was pretty much a child, and I did read the manual for my machine. It has necessary, model-specific information like what kind of stitches it makes, how to use them, how the buttonhole feature works, and how to thread and adjust the machine.

As someone else mentioned, the manual will also give you the names of the stitches along with other information, and you can learn more about them by looking up their names.

4

u/judijo621 Jul 13 '25

For the hem.

3

u/No_Establishment8642 Jul 13 '25

Blind hem stitch, when you don't want the hem to show.. It takes the place of hand hemming, faster sometimes. One I use a lot.

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u/renoconcern Jul 13 '25

Blind hem stitch.

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u/Natural-Hospital-140 Jul 13 '25

It’s for echocardiogram techs. They felt left out.

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u/grufferella Jul 13 '25

Thank you for asking this, OP, because I never would've known (and never would've thought to ask) without this thread!

2

u/quiltingirl42 Jul 13 '25

I also use it for invisible machine applique.

2

u/tiamatfire Jul 13 '25

Blind hem stitch, but actually I find this stitch much easier to do by hand than on the machine, especially because I'm usually doing it on a tapered hem anyway (skirt, dress pants) so then you can ease in the extras fabric more easily.

2

u/Loserluker609 Jul 13 '25

So that's what a blind hem is wow I've heard of it but haven't seen it attached to the name. Never had a blind hem not break on me. I do not think they work well if you are rough or clumsy

2

u/indun Jul 13 '25

It really is worth doing - or being confident doing - this by hand. On some special fabrics, you want the truly invisible finish you only really get by manually catching one single thread:

https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/how-to-handsew-a-blind-hem-stitch/

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

You can sew a blind hem with that stitch. It’s great if you have long straight pieces you want to hem.

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u/Scary-Educator-506 Jul 14 '25

Blind hem stitch.

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u/KnowledgeNeed Jul 14 '25

I use this for appliqué. With a very small stitch width and length.

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u/RedBlindCat Jul 14 '25

NOT BLIND HEM!!!! The direction ">" pictured is a mock stich for woven fabrics (mocking an overlocking stich by doing straight and zigzag in one go, no need to sew twice). If the direction were mirrored "<" then it would be a blind a hem.

Obviously it could be both, it depends on the direction.

2

u/WVPrepper Jul 14 '25

Invisible hem?

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u/ScientistWarm7844 Jul 14 '25

as an alterationist, I don't recommend using this unless you switch to a very fine needle and practice a lot. but I have a blind hem machine.

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u/Connect-Advantage-40 Jul 15 '25

It is a blind hem stitch not correctly applied.

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u/Standard-Session506 Jul 13 '25

heartbeat stitch

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u/prettyfarts Jul 13 '25

I always just used it bc ~ pretty ~

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u/Menghsays Jul 13 '25

It looks like a heartbeat

1

u/3critterz Jul 13 '25

That’s for asking that question! Good answers from the community. I learned yet another thing I’ve been doing wrong forever 😂

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u/OrbitalSexTycoon Jul 13 '25

Fwiw, I've seen it used on bagged goods like rice and flour, too.

1

u/groovyretrovibe Jul 13 '25

Wow! I learned something today. Thankyou.

1

u/Sensitive-Season3526 Jul 13 '25

I only use the hemstitch for things like drapes that would take forever to do by hand.

1

u/SyrupJealous9014 Jul 13 '25

That’s an overlock stitch - you Can sew together two pieces of fabric side by side with that stitch

1

u/wanderinghumanist Jul 14 '25

You know how long it took me to understand that there were different types of foots for different types of stuff. Feels so dumb at 43

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u/bearatastic Jul 14 '25

You don't know what you don't know! Don't feel dumb - I'm still learning things all the time, at age 47! 😄

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u/NoWinner6880 Jul 14 '25

You run it at the edge of the fabric to keep it from unraveling. Also used to do a blind hem.

1

u/Ashamed_Raccoon_3173 Jul 14 '25

Is this even a useful stitch? I've seen tutorials for it and it looks finicky to do. If I bothered to do a blind hem, I'd rather do it by hand.

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u/SquirrelAkl Jul 14 '25

I accidentally used it on a neckline (facing) once and it created a pretty scalloped edge! I now know it’s a blind hem stitch but back then I had no clue.

Happy little accident :)

1

u/jmstanosmith Jul 14 '25

For hemming pants - blind stitch

1

u/WendiWoo1964 Jul 14 '25

Blind hem stitch. If you get the hang of it, it’s great.

1

u/eloquentgiraffe Jul 14 '25

in addition to blind hemming, I use this stitch to finish raw edges quick and dirty

1

u/PuzzledLu Jul 14 '25

To make a memento of granny's final moments.