I recently did a video on the hemmer foot. I received a great question! Is the hemmer foot the same as a picot foot? It is totally understandable that one would think so because they look so similar. But they are, in fact, different feet.
Hemmer Foot
Although they look very similar, the channel on the bottom of the hemmer foot is flat. This results in a flat hem. Also, generally, when using a hemmer foot, you use a straight stitch. If you want to see more specifics on the hemmer foot, be sure to check out other video: How to use a Hemmer Foot.
Picot Foot
Whereas, the picot foot has a rounded channel. This allows movement of the fabric. It results in a rounded hem. As mentioned, with the hemmer foot, you use a straight stitch, however, with the picot foot, you use a zig-zag stitch.
Results From Both Feet
I stitched a couple of examples so that you can see the difference between the two.
Here are the results for the hemmer foot:
Here are the results for the picot foot:
Both of these presser feet are great. It just depends on the look that you are going for.
Using the Picot Foot
Like the hemmer foot, the picot foot can be a little tricky to use at first. Don't give up. It really is a cool accessory. The first thing that you want to do is create a thread tail. This is done by doing a couple of zig-zag stitches at the corner of your fabric. Pull out several extra inches of thread. Move the thread of your machine to the back. Now, with your thread tail vertically in front of you, bring it from the right to the left, getting it into the funnel.
Once the thread tail is in the funnel, carefully pull the fabric back. Make sure to only pull the fabric to the little U shape on the foot. You don't want to pull the fabric into the stitching area yet.
This is because you actually start sewing before the fabric is in the stitching area. It sounds weird, but it provides better results.
After you have placed your fabric correctly, lower your presser foot. While lightly pulling the thread tail, do a few zig zag stitches. Stop. In order to feed the correct amount of fabric into the funnel, fold over the fabric to where the raw edge is using the toe on the left as a guide. As you sew, maintain keeping the fabric on that toe. If you do that, you will get great results.
Practice!
As you become more comfortable with this presser foot, you will get quicker at it. Stick with it.
Until next time, Happy Sewing, Everybody!
