Straight and Narrow: Two Rolled Hem Techniques (and Bonus Giveaways!)

IN WHICH our intrepid recreatrix makes (yet another) versatile feminine oval linen veil, along with a linen coif suitable for the masculine medievalist. I’ve taken the opportunity to walk you through the steps of two different rolled hem stitches for use on a much wider variety of things that just headgear. And I’m giving them away! To celebrate two of my subscriber milestones, I will be giving away both an Elizabethan embroidered pocket and both the veil and coif I made in this video. Giveaway rules below.
Eithni’s Magic Veil Stitch: www.eithni.com/...
Burnley & Trowbridge Linen Thread: burnleyandtrow...
GIVEAWAY RULES
To enter the Elizabethan Pocket Giveaway: leave a comment saying POCKET and telling me which event you’d most love to wear this pocket to (once it’s safe again, of course).
To enter the veil & coif giveaway, leave a comment saying VEIL AND COIF and telling me what your favorite hand sewing stitch or technique is.
You may enter one or both giveaway, but if you choose to enter both, you must leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each giveaway.
GIVEAWAY ENDS IN ONE (1) WEEK, FRIDAY 8/28 at 11:59PM CST.
I will make a post for each giveaway winner in the community tab on Saturday 8/29, and we can figure out how best to get your COOL NEW THINGS to you after that.
Instagram: @opuselenae
Facebook: /opuselenae
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/opus...
Music Credits
Teller of Tales
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
All other music from epidemicsound.com
Forest Myths by Deskant
Norman Kings by Bonnie Grace
Highlands by Philip Ayers
Peace in the Realms by Bonnie Grace

[@jackiejames4551]

VEIL & COIF- After I saw you do the magic stitch, I thought, "it can't be that easy", so I grabbed a scrap of fabric, needle and thread, and tried it. I gasped when I did it, it really is that easy, and it works, and looks so nice. Thank you.

[@winterdavis4919]

Veil and Coif! I think my favourite hand stitch right now is the invisible ladder stitch! It is so cool to watch the stitches disappear into the fabric!

[@k_golly_g]

Veil and coif - rolled hems are actually my favorite! When they come together they feel like magic.

[@evelyn_r]

“Pocket” it’s so adorable, don’t have a set outfit for it but that doesn’t stop me from collecting things that I treat like “my precious” 💖💖💖

[@hashibakaede]

VEIL AND COIF - the running stich is my favorite, it´s simple, quick and versatile. Also, I love your videos! Thank you for making them.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you; I'm so glad your'e enjoying them!

[@mauraburns9343]

VEIL AND COIF - While you can't go wrong with the simple versatility and strength of a backstitch, I have to say I am really delighted with the magic stitch you demonstrate here.

[@mieljolie847]

VEIL AND COIF - That zig zag "magic veil stitch" appeals to me in both how it zips shut and the name. ;) Great informative video. Glad to have found your channel!

[@aiwefaile]

VEIL AND COIF I don't know why, but I honestly just love a good, small, sturdy backstitch. So practical and versatile and strong.

[@chilope2319]

Veil and coif. Blanket stitch!!! Idk why, its just so soothing to me, I learned it a few years ago and i use it on everything i can justifiably use it on

[@OpusElenae]

Blanket stitch is my daughter's favorite too!

[@thebe1azi500]

Veil and coif, for me probably satin stitch, I love embroidering pieces before sewing them

[@kristind6992]

VEIL & COIF I would examine to learn how to do them on my own. I'm not much of a sewer but I would say a whipstich is my favorite at the moment as i use it to patch up this and that. Watching teaches some but seeing and handling something can be so helpful in learning. Thank you.

[@FlybyStardancer]

“Veil and Coif” I haven’t tried either hemming stitch, but that magic stitch is sooooo amazing!!

[@sygirl101]

I’m a big fan of the “magic” stitch. “Veil and coif”. My favorite stitching is probably the hemming crossstitch.

[@KathrynsRavens]

The magic veil stitch is one I learned years ago from someone in the Rev war community. They called it magic eleven-sies! It's such a great stitch and makes even a simple fischu or neckerchief look better

[@hlpagel]

POCKET - I would love to take this on a hike this fall to hold snacks and any treasures I find along the way. The zig zag hem stitch you showed is incredible. I replayed the part when you pull it tight a few times because it's so magical!

[@alethearia]

VEIL AND COIF - Let me tell you I love me some felling, but my favorite hand stitch in appearance would have to be the catch stitch. It just looks neat.

[@AriallaMacAllister]

As a viewer, I have been enormously pleased with the bounty of new channels CoCoVid introduced me to! I think a "Veil & Coif" might be interesting to try as sunburn protection since I can't always do hats. My favorite hand stitch is the herringbone stitch. It's so incredibly versatile.

[@LibertyElaine]

Veil & Coif. My favorite handsewing stitch to do is the English Stitch from the American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. The one I do most often is felling or hemming, because I do about 85% of my hems by hand, even on modern clothes. It's just more relaxing.

[@meredithkenton]

Veil and coif - I'm a big fan of the whip stitch. It's versatile, springy, and period for sooooooooooooo many eras! If I'm hand stitching, that's what I'm doing. :P

[@ragnkja]

Veil and coif: I quite like the strength and simplicity of a backstitch.

[@ingerteodora5413]

VEIL & COIF - I don't know if I have a favorite hand sewing stitch, but after I figured out how to use a thimble properly earlier this year, hand sewing has become one of my favorite crafts. I still have a lot to learn though.

[@emilysmith2784]

Well damn! That is just pure magic right there. I fight with my rolled hem foot on my machine. I think I’ll just do it the first way from now on.

[@l.m.2404]

Veil and Coif... thank you for the detailed show and tell of both these stitches.

[@l.m.2404]

Oh, I would incorporate them into my 1150, early medieval costumes. :)

[@blktauna]

The supervisor is supervising. My preferred method is the second one. Never abl to get the first to work. Interestingly, I work top down vs bottom up like you. Your work is lovely :) "veil & coif" I'm a stab stitcher :)

[@selasphorussasin]

Veil and coif - My favorite is the ladder stitch for invisible closures, but that magic hem looks so handy!

[@charischannah]

And for my third comment, I'd like to mention that I adore the music you select for your videos. I've already found a few new favourites to listen to.

[@OpusElenae]

Oh, thank you! Choosing relevant music is a HUGE priority for me, I'm glad to see it's panning out!

[@ajleblanc7474]

"Veil and coif" they are both lovely! I love the hand felling stitch to finish seams...

[@SeerWalker]

VEIL AND COIF. backstitch! for some reason the first thing i ever chose to sew was a pair of stays, entirely by hand. you can literally see the progress i made in each panel and now i’m pretty dang proud of my backstitch ❤️

[@charischannah]

POCKET - I would probably wear the pocket to the Time Travellers' Bazaar, whenever it happens next. It's usually an April event in my area that features cosplay, steampunk, and historical costuming, and it was cancelled this year due to COVID, and since BC has prohibited gatherings of larger than 50 people until a vaccine is available, there's a good chance it won't be happening next spring either. I also just might wear the pocket because I felt like it, because I am totally that person.

[@raevynwoods9403]

VEIL AND COIF: I love the felling/hemming-stitch for finishing my seams. Since I've seriously started to learn how to sew, I haven't zigzagged a single hem on the both modern and historical clothes I've made. A felled hem is just so pretty (and really relaxing to do as well)!

[@sophisteacated]

"Veil and coif"! I love a good teeny tiny back stitch, oh yes. 💜

[@aprilharrison5814]

Veil and coif. I recently joined SCA and by recent, I mean around the time ye ole plague hit. And got interested in historic clothing a couple of months before that. Right now I'm learning the most basic stitches, hoping to know enough soon to take a stab at my first project. So I need to work on my first outfit for when live events can happen again. My favorite stitch currently is the backstitch as I feel like I'm getting good at it and it's fairly easy to grasp. One of those an hour to learn, and a lifetime to master deals. Thank you for teaching us these stitches, showing us how to make the two projects, and the giveaways. Also the kitty looks so sweet.

[@stoneypotterson]

VEIL & COIF! Definitely the back stitch.

[@michellemackay6684]

VEIL AND COIF I'll have to say that i like the back stitch. I enjoy making a strong stitch even if it takes some time.

[@fabianalorenzi8214]

VEIL AND COIF the magic stich is the best!

[@laraesteen3252]

Veil & Coif. My favorite stitch is the felling stitch, hands down. Thank you for all the great tutorials!

[@minatomat]

VEIL AND COIF - I like back stitches, cause it makes such strong stitches that can hold even in every situation :)

[@FlybyStardancer]

“Pocket” The event I would wear it to is just lounging around the house!! I’ve been contemplating it since my normal lounge clothes have no pockets, but I’d like to keep things close at hand, like my phone.18th century fanny pack to the rescue! (That’s bumbag across the pond-it translates to the same meaning when you look at the location-specific definitions.)

[@faetownsend9461]

POCKET! I'm falling down the historybounding rabbithole, being thoroughly done with the majority of modern fashion for all sorts of reasons. So the event would be "anything I have an excuse to get a bit dressed up for". :)

[@Animebe95]

I know this is an old video but I just have to tell you this saved my life!! I was struggling so much to do a traditional rolled hem and the first technique has helped me so so much. Thank you for these amazing videos

[@OpusElenae]

I’m glad it’s still helpful! I love knowing that people are still finding them

[@autumn7143]

The magic ladder stitch is so cool.

[@Moonstorm98]

VEIL AND COIF : honestly, it's the blanket stitch. i've finished many a beginner project with it back when i didn't have a sewing machine and didn't know felling was a thing.

[@LibertyElaine]

Pocket. Well, when my kingdom is having events again, I'd love to wear it to my first SCA event. Thought I'd probably also use it for all of my 18th century pocket needs too. Its just so pretty!

[@merindymorgenson3184]

Love your little needle kit! Thanks for sharing your hem in techniques with us!

[@habituscraeftig]

Ahhhh, that Eithni stitch. Where has that been, all my life?

[@aukjevankolck1017]

Pocket! It's so pretty, I think I'd just wear whenever I need a pocket. Because some of my shorts and dresses are blasphemous and don't have any! I could see it looking quite nice over a red dress with a black belt, or over a dark skirt.

[@themusecalliope1066]

Veil & Coif - my fave stitch is the Holbein/Double running stitch. I didn’t even know it had a name until I watched one of Gilbert Dolthalion’s Cocovid videos. 😊 Long distance scritches to Bran.

[@alethearia]

POCKET! - I'd love to wear this to an SCA event once the plague has passed. I have been needing to fix up my Elizabethan garb anywho.

[@bethanyvann6480]

Veil & Coif - as to favorite hand stitches, well, watching this has just taught me my new favorite thing! (Honestly, I haven't done much hand sewing at all. ok. like, a tiny bit of embroidery on seams, but that's it. All other attempts have wound up being given up on.)

[@bethanyvann6480]

this is purest sorcery. wonderful, wonderful sorcery.

[@lias.hyperfixation]

With the "VEIL AND COIF", I love that magic stitch for a rolled hem (I've never figured out how to make one until now!) but my favorite handsewing stitch is probably just a good ol' whipstitch. Of course, learning to use a thimble was magic to my handsewing too, so...

[@annahibbert1008]

Love the music! Veil and coif. I love the eyelet stitch. I find it so satisfying.

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

Thank you. Both techniques were new. I look forward to trying both, though currently not in need of either veil or coif. I seem to have a surplus of veils...

[@heathertownsend2752]

VEIL AND COIF I learned how to do that magical Enya stitch a few weeks ago and it is my favorite new thing. I'm also very partial to a nice and sturdy backstitch

[@lajoyous1568]

Veil & Coif I like the running back stitch. It's fast & sturdy, but t for decorative stitching I like French knots. I love your rolled hems and will certainly come up with a project/excuse to practice that myself. Thank you for sharing your hem wizardry.

[@Alex-Sews]

I watched this video yesterday, and started using the first technique on a hood today with excellent results. Perfect video, perfect timing. My thanks to Production Assistant Bran! ;-)

[@OpusElenae]

Glad it helped! (Bran says thank you)

[@CocciCosplay]

Veil and coif! I found your videos after cocovid and it's a joy to watch them! My favorite type of stitch is split between a ladder stitch (cause I feels like magic, just like your rolled hem stitch) or a simple and elegant slip stich 👀🖤

[@charischannah]

VEIL & COIF - Okay, the magic stitch looks awesome and I am trying that out sometime soon. I like felling. I've been hand-finishing my seams on more modern pieces lately and love the way it looks.

[@autumn7143]

“Pocket”. I don’t know what event, but I think it would be fun to wear the pocket to work. I work in a school and love to confound the children.

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

Pocket. Actually I would wear it daily as I have to change locations a lot for work and it would be extremely practical for me to use an Elizabethan pocket to carry stuff in!

[@moonbasket]

Referencing this video for an 18th century shirt I'm making. I was planning to roll the hem, but I think I'll do the fancy veil stitch instead. My manual dexterity isn't great these days and that looks much easier. Thank you for such a great tutorial.

[@sygirl101]

For “pocket” I’d love to go to the Medieval Week on Gotland. It may not be the right time period, but close enough for the practical nature of a good pocket. Sweden is a lovely country, and those styles of re-enactments are incredibly impressive.

[@kuugapop7584]

Veil and Coife - I'm still very new to hand stitching, but I'm really enjoying the felling stitch and basting stitch of all things. Lol. I enjoyed your video and can't wait to try the rolled hem.

[@naomirodgers8973]

I found your channel from CoCovid and your videos are brillient so glad i found you :)

[@OpusElenae]

Welcome aboard!

[@lemon_lovesyou]

Veil and coif -- I love a nice, simple running back stitch. So quick and easy, and satisfying! I found you through CoCoVid, and I'm so glad I did!! I love your content (and your kitty! so cute!).

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! 😊

[@joanelizabethhall9455]

VEIL AND COIF. I think my new favorite stitch will be the one you showed us first in this video. I have arthritis, and that stitch looks very "arthritis-friendly." I can't wait to try it out. I honestly don't know where my veils go, but I too seem to lose them! I think it's from ripping it off my head the second I get to my car after an event, and tossing it in the back seat. Then other things get tossed on top of it.

[@joanelizabethhall9455]

I just starting using the "magic stitch" - OMG it's amazing, especially around curves!

[@Costuming_Drama]

💖💖 this video was awesome! I’m not here for a giveaway but just to say that you rock and spread some love.

[@OpusElenae]

You are literally the BEST.

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

"Helping"! hehe. Our weather has been hovering in between 40-50 F and we had forecast snow for today but no such luck, just very wet and overcast, but having lived in 100+ temps with 90% humidity I commiserate with you. You need to make some sekanjabin! Very refreshing for hot weather and period! Coif and Veil, very much enjoying a lot of hand sewing lately and that means my stitches are getting smaller and faster! Usually a whip stitch, but I have found that pinning the work to a tailoring ham and putting tension on the seam makes it much faster.

[@OpusElenae]

I actually have some pomegranate mint sekanjebin in a bottle on my counter right now! I like to put it in sparkling water for a bit of an extra fizz.

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

@@OpusElenae fizz is good!

[@roisinsquill]

VEIL AND COIF I am very excited to try that magic stitch. I am mostly one handed (left hand is partially paralyzed) and that looks like a stitch I can adapt to easily enough.

[@olliescott8015]

"Pocket" I'd love to wear the pocket to my first overnight, in-garb SCA Camp in a couple of months time! (plague etc allowing)!! Thanks also to you, your videos were the final push i needed into looking into my local Barony, and to get involved in person :)

[@OpusElenae]

I'm so glad! I hope you have a wonderful time in your Barony!

[@sophisteacated]

"Pocket"! Oh man Pennsic 2021 please I hope it happens 😭😭 I mean any SCA event between now and forever tbh but I miss going to events.

[@jessicaknox4837]

Veil and coif - I’m actually a big fan of the cross stitch/herringbone stitch. I have a strange fondness for making coats, and there are few things better for making a seam allowance in heavy wool stay. the heck. down. than cross stitching it to the interlining.

[@OpusElenae]

Congratulations! You've won the Veil & Coif giveaway! Please email me at [e-mail] so we can work out the details of getting your new kit to you!

[@aiwefaile]

POCKET Hmmmm, I think I'd like to wear the pocket either under/over modern pocket-less skirts (because it's so darn pretty) or with an early Tudor get up when SCA events finally start back up again. I'd just started making motions to do things with my local barony when The Plague hit.

[@MendyLady]

POCKET - If I ever get to go again, Twelfth Night. Alternately, when I'm out and about historybounding. Pockets need no because.

[@SiriusFeanor]

VEIL AND COIF I absolutely adore the herringbone stitch. Although I don't get do it often. I find it very useful and pretty. Also I can use it both in sewing an в embroidery :) Thanks for another great tutorial! I would definitely try these techniques while making a veil for myself, as right now my medieval headwear is so basic it's almost nonexistent :)

[@OpusElenae]

It makes such a huge difference in overall impression!

[@jackiejames4551]

POCKET-I would wear that pocket every where, as it is sooooo pretty.

[@chilope2319]

Pocket. I would wear it literally all the time. Im making a bunch of 18th cent style skirts for everyday wear, partially because i love the pocket possibilities >:) but if you require a real answer, probably the jane Austen festival!

[@judithcollins3744]

“Veil and coif”. As a recent subscriber and follower of all things historical (clothing wise) I am learning a great deal from videos like yours and very anxious to start putting something together. I admire your work and the magic hem is just that - magic!

[@ΣτυλιανήΚαρανάτσιου-τ5μ]

Pocket. Sadly we don’t have such events here where I live. I would wear it in my everyday life from time to time, when I’ll need a pocket or an additional pocket. Or/And maybe if I ever have a special occasion or something similar. Now in autumn I will go back to going to lessons. I would love to use it then. And there is a variety of clothing which I hope to make in the future. I think it would suit them, although it would also suit some things now too (although I wouldn’t care if suits or not for me to use it, if I need or want to use it I will use it). It is slow, but I hope to have and wear clothes and such things which I genuinely like, whether I make them myself or not.

[@SarahBent]

Veil and coif. You do such beautiful work!

[@SarahBent]

I love hemming. Rolled hems. And felling. But it gets awkward sometimes.

[@melissabebak1513]

Pocket- Until I get on with making some proper Elizabethan garments, the pocket would be worn to my local medieval fair as part of my fortune teller garb. I'd also probably end up wearing it day to day and mixing periods with my viking history bounding because why not?

[@lisadianeetheredge5215]

Pocket- I would wear it everywhere, because modern pockets are lame. I honestly can’t think beyond quarantine to come up with an event 😭 I really appreciate the understated way you use inclusive language in your videos 🥰

[@OpusElenae]

Inclusivity is INCREDIBLY important to me. I am glad it's noticeable.

[@augustwogsland3309]

POCKET - I would give it to my sister. I don't know what event she'd wear it to, both of us are just getting started in this world, but I know she would absolutely love it.

[@juniper111984]

VEIL AND COIF - I started sewing a shift a looong time ago and I think the magic stitch is going to be my new favorite and I will actually go and work on it again now! I feel inspired and also like I have some idea what to do now THANK YOU! ETA I've also been making handkerchiefs lately and I want to try it out there too instead of just my lazy serged ones. I'd like some that are pretty and not just functional!

[@juniper111984]

I finished my shift neckline using the magic stitch and I'm so pleased with it. Thanks again for the tutorial and inspiration to pick my project up again!

[@naomirodgers8973]

VEIL AND COIF Enya magic coil stitch

[@Arabhorselver92]

POCKET I would love to wear this with the outfit I'm currently working on for next year's Renaissance Festival. That all hinging on if everything will be safe next fall. But until then I would probably wear it with the plethora of dresses I own that don't have pockets. You've actually inspired me to make one myself regardless.

[@olliescott8015]

"veil & coif" well up until now it was running backstitch, but this magic stitch may have just taken the cake! And perfect timing of this video for me too - im watching this video with the shift im sewing in my lap, about to give it a go on the sleeve hems!

[@OpusElenae]

Do let me know how it goes! I love this stitch for sleeve hems, it keeps the bulk down.

[@olliescott8015]

@@OpusElenae Belated reply, but it worked a treat! super quick and oh so tiny :)

[@lias.hyperfixation]

I would LOVE to wear that "POCKET" to War of the Rams, though if I'm open to anything/any place, I'd also love to attend a Kentwell Hall reenactment!

[@mmcgartland2095]

Thanks

[@ingerteodora5413]

POCKET - I'm hoping I'll be able to travel to Germany next summer for Medieval Week at Burg Rieneck, my favorite scouting castle. Not exactly the right time period, but it's not a very historically accurate event.

[@MissPhilomena]

"Veil and Coif"! I probably use the various kinds of whipstitches most often, and whipped gathering is my favorite method for gathering, which I've used for the 18th century caps I've made recently. I need to practice the first hemming stitch more so I can get better at that as well.

[@winterdavis4919]

Pocket! I would love to wear it to our local Colonial Times re-enactment!

[@ledmcgowan9]

Pocket - I would love to wear the pocket to LPT. Oh, BTW: more kitten helpful comments! Smile

[@ragnkja]

Pocket: I wear skirts and dresses all the time, and most of them sadly lack pockets, so I need to wear a separate one around my waist to be able to carry things on my body.

[@larasta68]

POCKET. I would to wear this pocket to my local rent faire. It is the only event that wasnt cancelled this year.

[@OpusElenae]

Be careful and stay safe, if you go!

[@Nessi-dances]

POCKET: I think I will wear it a lot, as I intend to make a bunch of skirts in the 18th century petticoat style for modern wear. What a lovely and clear video of 2 very useful hemming stitches!

[@iamlizzybits]

Veil & Coif. ;) I would wear it to the Sherwood Forest Faire, hopefully they have it next year.

[@OpusElenae]

As far as I know, it's still on! We just got information about socially distanced auditions not too long ago (I help with costuming guidance out there).

[@iamlizzybits]

@@OpusElenae Good to know! Fingers crossed it can go as planned.

[@angelaplatts]

Veil & Coif. I'm not sure if they count as my favourite stitches, but I have been repairing a torn tarpaulin cover today for a marquee, the stitches I have been using have been the polar opposite to your dainty hemming stitches. I've used a combination of herringbone cross stitch to pull the fabric together and a Holbein stitch on faux leather patches to place over the now realigned tarp, to both strengthen and reinforce the mend. I used to do a back stitch on patches like this, but the Holbein is more secure should the stitches get caught and unravel. All I want to do it stitch something pretty instead. Hello to Bran!

[@OpusElenae]

What a huge task!

[@angelaplatts]

@@OpusElenae It wasn't too bad, a little tedious and time consuming but I've done it before. It's for a friend and he always give me a little money for doing it. :) The trick is to have a fine needle to pierce the tarp fabric.

[@raevynwoods9403]

POCKET: During quarantine I've slowly been working on a 18th century outfit and I have one pocket to go with it, but an anachronistic second pocket would be most welcome! I'd love to go to Elfia, a Dutch fantasy fair, next april, in my handmade 18th century outfit.

[@iamlizzybits]

Pocket. :) I would wear it with the 18th century outfit I am slowly piecing together.

[@OpusElenae]

Congratulations! You've won the Pocket giveaway! Please email me at [e-mail] so we can work out the details of getting your new kit to you! PS: apologies for misspelling your name in my spreadsheet and subsequent post!

[@iamlizzybits]

@@OpusElenae Thank you!