Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Blog Sew Forum Class Calendar Major Events Retail Locations Synchrony Financing

Blind Hem Stitch Hemmer Portable Machines are for Apparel Fabrics Only. Power Stand Models for Apparel and/or Drapery, but Not for Upholstery

Additional Information:

Power stand blindstitch hemmers are best for a combination of apparel and drapery. Portable blind stitch hemmers are suitable for light to medium weight apparel fabrics, because the stitch penetration dial only has one revolution of adjustment, not enough for lowering of the needle into heavier weight drapery fabrics or blackout lining. Blindhemmers are not suitable for harder upholstery fabrics which cause too much needle deflection which can damage needles, looper, skip stitches, or break thread.

"Unfortunately, none of the portable blind hemmers is recommended for doing draperies of any kind. The reason for this is that there is not enough room in the mouth (arm space between needle and neck) of the machine to allow for the wide hem of drapery (usually 4" - 4-1/2"). The maximum hem on a portable is about 2-1/2". For drapery applications, the best machine would be a true industrial type blind hemmer, like our MSK-755 (CHINA). The mouth, or opening has about 8" of space, for any variety of hems. We have sold hundreds of the 7100SB which replaced MSK-755 for drapery and other hemming applications (like clothing), and it is the one I would recommend for drapery. I hope that helps." Robert Kahn, Reliable Corporation."

(Q) What type thread is used with this machine? Would thinner serger thread be ok? (A) Yes, MaxiLock single strand polyester serger thread is fine. You can also use 100% nylon thread if it has some texture, as opposed to clear nylon (like fishline) which is more abrasive to metal parts. John (A)Janie, we couldn't find a very good image of an industrial machine curved-needle blindhem stitch online. It is a chainstitch with serger type stitch covering the hem/fold on the inside, and very little if any of the stitch or pull showing through on the right side. Most of the thread shows on the inside hem with very little showing on the outside. It is supposed to be invisible on the outside which is very difficult to do on very lightweight fabrics, unless you use the same color thread as the garment fabric. So the two sides are not supposed to look the same, like a zigzag stitch would on a sewing machine. We recommend portable blindstitch machines for garments, and power stand models for drapery or for faster speed on garments. Hope this information helps. John

(Q)How do I increase/decrease the stitch length? The manual says to turn a part with #4,5,6 on it but I can't find any such cam/part/wheel. (A)Remove the left cover of the blindstitch machine with the two thumb/screws, on left side and back. Use an allen wrench to move the graduated numerical cam from it existing setting on 4, 5, or 6mm setting, to any other stitch length setting then test. It is much easier to use the 2:1 skip stitch lever on the right side of the machine to change from 1:1 (every stitch) for garment fabric, to 2:1 (every other stitch) for interior fabrics, which doubles the stitch length.

(Q?)When I pull the stitching out, several stitches unravel along with it. Is there a way to tack the stitches to prevent unraveling? (A)Jenna, there are several ways of securing a blind hem stitch at the end of a seam. The easiest way is to sew over and beyond the end of a seam, especially if hemming a tubular item like pants. When you sew over previous stitching it helps to lock the stitches in. Before you remove fabric from the end of the machine feeder, turn the hand wheel clockwise to swing the needle all the way to the left position in the needle channel which will help secure the thread and stitch in place. Then quickly pull or jerk the fabric hem from behind the feeder which will break the thread and tie off the chain stitch so that it will not continue to unravel. It takes some practice because you may have to use the knee lever or hand wheel to position or release the fabric if it is not already at the end of the feeder. You can also turn the hand wheel counterclockwise at the end of the seam (like reverse stitching but no formation) just to hide the end stitches, or you can manually weave the unraveled thread back into the chainstitch with a seaming needle.

Blind Hemmer Ending Stitch Techniques

I show how I now end my blind hemmer stitches. In the past I always used the old technique of raising the needle to its' highest position and releasing the pressure foot and jerking the fabric back quickly to break the thread. This led to size 10 needles skipping stitches sooner than I thought they should. I contacted the mfg of my machine and they told me to use the technique I show in this video. Since I've gone to it my #10 needles are lasting much longer. :) The machine shown is an Industrial Consew made in Japan back in the 1970s. Kevin Sews Published on Jul 2, 2014

icon
Jiasew CS2000-7 All Metal Portable Blind Hem Stitch Hemmer Sewing Machine, Cylinder Arm, Swing Plate, Curved Needle, 2:1 Skip Stitch, Knee Lever
$269.99
icon
Reliable 8100DT Drapery 3/4" Pleat Bar Tacker Tacking Machine, Assembled Stand, Direct Motor Drive, Programmable Display, Total Stitch Count Settings
$3,799.99
icon
Reliable Maestro 600SB Blindstitch Hemmer Machine, Knee Lever, Cylinder Arm, 2:1 Skip Stitch, 24Lb (Replaces 700SB, MSK-588) Factory Serviced
$324.99
Factory Serviced (read more)
icon
Consew 75T Blindstitch Hem Chain Stitch Hemmer Machine, Most Popular Portable Professional Model for Garment Hems, Replaces Tacsew T500 and BLST NLA
$299.99
icon
Reliable Maestro 600SB Blindstitch Hemmer Machine, Knee Lever, Cylinder Arm, Swing Plate, Curve Needle, Eye Guard, 2:1 Skip Stitch, 24Lb(700SB/MSK-588
$379.99
icon
Rex Artek RX-518 Portable Blind Stitch Hemmer Metal Sewing Machine, 110V Motor, Foot Control,
$299.99
Free Ground Shipping to the Contiguous USA
icon
Yamata CM500 Portable Blind Hem Stitch Hemmer Invisible Seam Sewing Machine (Replaces Tacsew BLST N.L.A.)
$399.99
icon
US StitchLine SL78-2 Portable Blind Hem Stitch Hemmer Machine Knee Lift, Cylinder Arm, Swing Plate, Skip Stitch, 1500SPM (Tacsew T500 by Tony Taiwan)
$699.00
icon
Gemsy Jiasew G2000-8 Full Size Industrial Blindstitch Machine, Knee Lift, Swing Plate, Cylinder Arm, Skip Stitch, KD Power Stand* 3000SPM, 110V & 220V
$999.00
icon
Chandler CM101 Blind Hemmer Chain Stitch Sewing Machine, Knocked Down Unassembled Power Stand
$999.99
icon
Reliable 7200SB Blind Hem Stitch Hemmer Machine, 6000SM Servo Motor, Needle Positioner, Assembled Power Stand Table, Uber Light Lamp Replaces 7100SB
$1,799.99
icon
Reliable 7200DB Drapery Blind Stitch Hemmer Machine, Direct Drive 6000SM DCServo Motor, Needle Positioner, Swing Arm, Assembled Stand Table, Uber Lamp
$2,099.99
icon
Reliable 2100IF Flatbead Top and Bottom Coverstitch Interlock Hemming Industrial Sewing Machine, Direct Drive, Differential Feed, Assembled Stand
$2,299.99
icon
U S Stitch Line SL718-2 BlindStitch Hemmer Machine Made in Taiwan with Power Stand 2500RPM Servo Motor, Uses LWx5T same as 251LG Needles
$1,929.99
icon
US Stitch Line SL718-2 Commercial Blind Stitch Hemmer Machine Head Only, No Power Stand, Made in Taiwan, Not China
$1,499.99
icon
Consew 1118-4 Full Size Blind Hem Stitch Sewing Machine (like US Blindstitch 1118) Head Only, No Table, Stand Or Motor
$3,699.99
icon
Consew 1118-4 Full Size Blind Hem Stitch Sewing Machine (like US Blindstitch 1118) 1/2HP Servo Motor Power Stand, Specify Assembled or KD Knocked Down
$3,999.99
icon
Juki 2 Spool Thread Stand for DX-4000QVP
$169.00
Free Ground Shipping to the Contiguous USA
icon
Juki Unassembled Sewing Machine Table, Stand, J7R Servo Motor, 110V or 220V, Reverse Motor Switch for Industrial Sewing Machines.
$329.99
icon
Consew KD Unassembled Table, Stand, Variable Speed DC Servo Motor for Industrial Sewing Machine Heads. Specify Brand and Model Number of Your Machine
$299.99
icon
Consew Space Saver Pedestal Like Table, Stand, Legs, Servo Motor 110V for Your Cylinder Bed Arm, Machine Head Not Included, No Premade Cut Outs on Top
$649.99
icon
Superior 9552 Needle Eye, Finger Safety Guard for Blindstitch Sewing Machines
$29.99
icon
Diamond 9552 Needle Eye and Finger Safety Guard for Portable or Power Stand BlindStitch Machine with Screw Down Top Front Thread Guide, Reliable*
$19.99
icon
AllBrands Industrial Sewing Machine Sales Service Parts, Repairs
$399.99
icon
Consew S-21086 and S-21088 Complete Knee Lifter Lever Assembly Parts for 75T, Portable Blindstitch Machines
$49.99
icon
Organ Curved BlindStitch Machine Needles, Box of 50 in 10 packs of 5, Choose One of 5 Sizes 2,2.5,3,3.5,or 4, Blind Stitch Brand, Model, Needle System
$74.99
Free Ground Shipping to the Contiguous USA
icon
Organ Industrial Sewing Machine Needles, Straight Stitch, Zigzag, Upholstery, Overlock Serger, Coverstitch, Blindstitch, Button, Buttonhole, Emb
$69.99
Free Ground Shipping to the Contiguous USA
Printcatalogicon3