Hem Stitch: Weaving Techniques
The hemstitch is a weaving technique used to finish weaving and secure the yarn after it is off the loom. As an alternative to hemstitch, twining can be used to finish weaving. It is a simple weaving technique that will improve your weaving.
A full tutorial can be found in this post, Twining: Weaving Technique
How to attach yarn to warp for hemstitch
Hemstitching creates a cohesive start and end place of the weaving. Therefore, you may find using the same weft color for the hemstitch balances the design of the piece. On the other hand, using a different color weft could add visual interest. Depending on the project and your personal preference, you can decide which yarns to use.
In this tutorial, the main weft color used is blue. A red yarn will be used to demonstrate how to weave the hemstitch.
Before you start the hemstitch tutorial:
If you have enough attached weft yarn to complete the hemstitch skip down to step 1 in the Hemstitch Tutorial Instructions.
If you would like to use a different color for the hemstitch or attach more weft, then follow these instructions below.
1.Flip to the back of the weaving.
2.Using a tapestry needle, weave new yarn through two to three rows of the last warp yarn column.
3.Knot the yarn to the yarn tail.
Hemstitch Tutorial Instructions:
The hemstitch can be used at the beginning and end of weaving.
After you have woven the final weft yarn in the weaving, you can follow the next steps.
Step 1: Take the end of the yarn. Count three yarns to the left, then two weft yarns up.
(The measurements can be adjusted based on preference. Yarn thickness and density play a role in the spacing of the hemstitch.)
Step 2: Moving the tapestry needle behind the weaving, create an opening with the tapestry needle and pull the yarn through.
Step 3: Pull the yarn in an upward manner.
Step 4: Lay the yarn down. Now, only under the 3 warp yarns, move the tapestry needle through. In the same motion, also, move the tapestry needle over the hemstitch yarn (yarn 1).
Step 5: Continue this pattern to the end of the warp.
Step 6: Hide the hemstitch yarn at the back of the weaving. Use the directions in the Attaching yarn for Hemstitch section to guide the yarn into the weft and tie a knot.
Note: Here, a slip knot is used for the tutorial- but use a secure knot to hold the end in place.
Below is the hemstitch created in the same yarn color as the weft.
Step 7: Cut warp off the loom and tie the ends.
How to use hemstitch in weaving?
The hemstitch can be altered in various ways to give your weaving beautiful edges.
Here are a few ideas for using the hemstitch in your next project:
1.Alter the number of weft yarns gathered. Depending on the number of ends per inch, or EPI, in the warp you may have to gather more yarns in the hemstitch. If there is a lower EPI, then you may want the piece to appear more delicate and gather fewer ends in the hemstitch.
You can learn more about about density and EPI, on this previous post, Weaving Warp Spacing: EPI low density and high density
2.Experiment with yarn thickness and color. As mentioned above, the EPI of the weaving influences the appearance. When using the hemstitch to finish the weaving end, experiment using yarns that contrast or compliment the end weft yarns, or even use yarn that are smaller or thicker. The edges of the weaving end the weaving so make it interesting.
Conclusion
The hemstitch creates uniformed edges and secures the weft and warp yarns in place when the weaving is finally off the loom. As you develop your own weaving techniques and experiment with yarn colors, textures and patterns, you will grow your own style and methods of weaving from the beginning to the end.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope that these tutorials have helped answer your questions about the hemstitch.
