A blind hemmer sews a single thread chainstitch, which both finishes the edge of fabric, as well as taking a tiny stitch into the fabric of the sewn product, every few stitches, to hold the finished hem up. Because blind hems are supposed to be "invisible", clear thread, available in clear, or smoke colors, usually, is often used, or a cone of thread that matches the fabric being sewn, is chosen.
SKIP-
Blind hemmers are designed to skip stitches in the product fabric, separate from the chainstitch it sews on the fabric edge, typically, you will see a skip lever, often with a plate, or engraving, which has 2-1 and 1-1 settings, with a lever or switch, next to it, for you to adjust this so you take less stitches in the front of the fabric, than you do chainstitches on the edge of the fabric.
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| U.S. Blind Hemmer with both freearm capability, and a LARGE extended fold out table for blind hemming curtains. It can be set up for blind hemming slacks, and skirts, and other blind hemming duties, but the large fold out arm, tells you it most likely was used by someone who sewed curtains |
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| U.S. Blind Hemmer notice the arrow on the handwheel for turning the handwheel the correct direction Side view |
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| Top view of U.S. Blind Hemmer for curtains The pack of needles I included, when I sold this, are important, because if you don't have the correct needles, they will not work in your blind hemmer. There are a wide variety of needle systems, for curved industrial sewing needles, and no, they are not all the same, so if you have a blind hemmer, it is ESSENTIAL to have the correct needle system |
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U.S. Blind Hemmer has a large industrial clutch motor, and a knee lift, which makes it easier to keep both hands on your project, while you sew, and any time you need to "raise the presser foot" (blind hemmers actually lower the section under the needle, to release the project), you bump the kneebar to the right. The on off switch turns on the clutch motor, which runs constantly, and only engages the sewing machine, when you press the pedal.
 | US Blind Hemmer industrial sewing machine with clutch motor, set up for sewing curtains
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The industrial blind hemmers DO NOT have built in oil pumps, so they DO NEED OILED regularly, especially if you are truly using them 8 or more hours a day. Check the manual for your machine, but many say to oil them right before 8 hours of sewing, every time you sew.  |
| The Tac Sew Blind Hemmer on the left is considered a portable, or commercial machine, with it's tiny motor mounted on the back of the machine. While the U.S. Blind Hemmer, on the right, is an industrial, with a clutch motor, built into an industrial table. They do NOT use the same type of needle system, ironically! |
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| Blind Hemmers are often made by one manufacturer, but sold with a variety of badge names on them. There ARE MANY DIFFERENT MODELS OF BLIND HEMMERS, you need to know your model, in order to find the correct needles. These take a unique curved needle, but you MUST have the correct needle SYSTEM in order to get the correct needles for your blind hemmer, they do not all take the same needles! This particular blind hemmer is missing it's badge, so I need to research, to find the correct needles for it. Notice this is a very small table, for an industrial table, someone cut this down, to fit a smaller space. |
If you are considering an industrial sewing machine, there is one thing to be very careful about, and that is the type of electrical system in the building you will be sewing, because the large industrial sewing machine motors come in several types & sizes, and are set up and wired for various different types of electrical systems. Household electrical systems are usually 110, in the United States, so you want a motor that uses the 110 system. There are also 220 & Tri-phase systems, so remember to ask, before you commit to buy, which type of electrical system the motor is wired for.
You can change out the motor, but that can cost anywhere from $90 to over $200, with you doing all the work yourself, depending on what type of motor you purchase. Industrial machines can be set up with the older style, noisy, but strong, FAST clutch motors, which have to be left turned on constantly, when you are ready to sew, while the smaller, quieter, Servo motors, which can usually be dialed for whatever speed you prefer, are often silent, and save on electricity use, a good idea if you are a beginner.
