All sewing machines have a presser foot that is used to hold the fabric being sewn in place against a needle plate. The foot is lowered to apply pressure on the fabric and hold it flat so the needle can stitch down through the fabric. Between each stitch, a tiny set of teeth on the needle plate advances or feeds the material a preset distance depending on the type of sewing being done.
In this stitching process, several actions occur. A top thread coming off of a spool runs down through the eye of the needle which will move up and down. The presser foot guides the fabric as the needle punches through the fabric to interlock with thread from a bobbin beneath the plate. This action creates the locking stitches that hold the fabric pieces together to make a seam or hem.
The standard or all-purpose presser foot that comes with all sewing machines is primarily used for utilitarian, and some decorative, functions. But, as in any undertaking, the right tool for the right job makes every task easier. Today, a variety of specialty presser feet created for specific tasks is available to make the job easier, faster and more enjoyable.
The blind hem foot is a sewing accessory that replaces the all-purpose presser foot. This particular attachment lets the seamstress create nearly invisible stitches. Professional and hobby sewers alike have come to rely on the blind hem foot sewing attachment.
While the regular presser foot can be used for different length stitches, a solid line of the thread is still visible on the outside of the item being sewn. When using the blind hem foot, the stitches on the outside of the fabric catch just a thread or two of the fabric, while on the inside of the hem, the stitches are very long and help secure the folded under portion of the fabric, thereby creating a more finished look on both sides.
At one time, this precise, fine stitching was accomplished by hand. The blind hem foot, however, provides for a professional looking hem for virtually any item of clothing, including pants, skirts, jackets, and even drapes. Blind hem feet can also be used for different types and weights of fabric from chiffon to stretch to heavy, textured fabrics. In addition, using invisible thread (a clear filament) in the needle with regular thread in the bobbin produces a hem stitch even more difficult to detect.