The Narrow Hem Foot & 5 Minute Tank Tunic Part 2



Way back when, we showed you the 5-Minute T-shirt Tunic. Here is a new version that I made using a narrow hem foot, my newest obsession for doing vast amounts of skinny seams quickly. Want to make a speedy voile scarf? This is your gal…

Read on for the 5 Minute Tank Tunic Part 2!
Can anyone ID this fabric? I love it so.

1. I started with two fat sixths. That’s basically a 12×22″ piece of fabric and also a name that (I think) I totally made up. Cut them in thirds so you have 6 – 12″ x 7 1/3″ rectangles. You could also use three hankies cut in half. That would be ADORABLE!

2. Narrow hem both long sides of each rectangle. First you roll over the edge twice to create a narrow “roll” of fabric the width of your hem. ie. the width of the center section of the foot where the fabric feeds in. In this case 5mm wide.

3. Slide your fabric roll underneath the foot and sew a straight stitch for about 1/2″ inch.


4. Now, pull your rolled fabric up into the space to the right of the metal curl of the foot and wrap your roll around the screw.

5. A few inches back from of the foot, keep the fabric rolled to the correct width and feed in in as it sews.

It will look like this…

And this is one complete narrow hem.

6. Finish the two long sides of each of the 6 pieces. For the bottom edge, you can try to narrow hem but I found it difficult to sew such a narrow hem over the thick corners. It looked good but probably would have been easier just to do a wider traditional seam.

Your sides and bottoms of each piece are finished.

7. Arrange your three front panels on the front of your tank top or t-shirt. For a 2 yr old, my panels overlapped about 3″ each.

And hung over the side about 1.5″

8. Pin the panels together but not to your shirt.

9. Wrap one overhanging panel around to the back and flip the tank top over.

10. Add the back panels with similar spacing to the front.


11. All 6 panels are now pinned together in a circle and you are happy with the spacing, right? The width should be close to the width of the t-shirt where you want your “waist” to be. Now (starting and ending with a back n forth stitch) sew the panels together where they overlap, approx 3″ long.

See, here’s the skirt!

12. With right-side-facing, pin the skirt to your tank top.

13. Lop off the bottom of your tank.

14. Pin in place all the way around if you haven’t already.

15. If you have a serger, this is the perfect time to use it. Serge all the way around to attach the tank top and skirt with a beautiful finished edge.

16. If you dont have a serger, sew with a straight stitch about 1/2″ in and then finish seam with a zig-zag/overlock.

Looks cute but since this is a birthday dress let’s get fancy!

And add some ribbon across the front! Just pin in place and fold under at ends. Sew all the way around!


So easy and cute!

Le Tigre not included!

by

22 Comments

rebkatz

Thanks for the tips on using the narrow hem foot. I have one of those but never knew what it was or how to use it. And it will be perfect for some projects that I have teed up!

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Matt and Cristin

Ok…HELP! Please forgive my ignorance…but with the narrow hem foot it seems like you still have to hold and roll the fabric before you sew the hem…? Am I missing something? Or does it roll the fabric on it's own as it goes through? πŸ™‚ Silly me..but I do want to understand! πŸ™‚

Reply
Jacinda

Hi (Matt and) Cristin-
I keep it folded like that so the fabric guides in at the perfect distance from the edge, otherwise I have a tendency to drift. If you can keep it straight, you don't have to pre-roll, it will do it for you. If you have this foot, try it out and you'll see what I mean, I think. You do want to manually fold and stitch the first inch or so as described.

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Jessica

i NEED one of those! Actually, since we are machine soulmates now Jacinda, did it come with that foot? I guess I could go look, but I'd have to go all the way upstairs πŸ™‚

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Shannon

Thank you for the tutorial, if only I had this lesson this weekend. It would have saved ALOT of arguments between me and Juliet (that is my sewing machine. I didn't name her, Huskquavarna did. . . and of course she is pink). Oh and Le Tigre is Purrrrrrrrfect!

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Leigh Anne

Thanks for the tute on the narrow hem foot. With so many feet i get confused about which foot to use πŸ™‚ This one will make some projects much speedier along w/ my serger!

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Pam

I've got that foot but have never used it. I'll have to give it a try now. I love the top! Cute, cute especially the way that the bottom panels are open and flapping.

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Beth @ Sand To Pearl

Oh goodness. I really shouldn't have looked at this post. Now I've got another thing on my "crafts wants" list. Oh, to have a second foot at all on my machine…

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Rebecca@This Present Life

Super super cute! I don't think I have that foot with my sewing machine, but it might be worth it to go buy me one! One question, does the ribbon wash ok? I've steered away from using it to embellish because I wasn't sure how it would wash/dry. Thanks!

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cambria

LOVE the dress, and that ribbon too. Would you mind sharing your source? I love grosgrain ribbon but do not have a stash of fun ones, only a few solid colors. Thank you!
BTW, every post like this featuring a serger makes me want one more & more. I'm restraining myself until I've sewn a few more garments without it, the way my mom had sewn many clothes for me as a kid!

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claire iris

Just finished making this. So fun! So easy! And this was the first dress that I've ever made for my little girl πŸ™‚

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liz

So I attempted to comment yesterday after test driving 4of my sewing machine feet I never dared to try before. I think I need lots more practice, but with this awesome tutorial coming out and many others that you have I was motivated by you, my friend and free shipping from Amazon to purchase a gathering foot for $0.01 and a wait for it…. bias tape foot! So that I can overcome my fear of sewing it completely crooked. I'll let you know hot it goes =)

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