Do you find it challenging to sew over bulky seams? Your machine’s struggling, you’re getting skipped stitches and it is just downright frustrating. Well, not anymore.
In this blog post, I’m going to show you some great tips where you can sew over a bulky seams and still get a beautiful, professional-looking stitch.
Whenever you are sewing with denim, canvas, fleece, or sewing with a bunch of layers, going over the bulky seams can be a little tricky. There are some things you can do and use to make this a lot easier.
What causes you to have skipped stitches?
Let’s go over what causes you to get skipped stitches.
The presser foot on your machine is meant to pivot up and down.
When the presser foot goes over the bulky seams, the front of the pressure foot will angle up, and then the feed dogs aren’t able to push the fabric through.
The results, long skipped stitches, which not only look bad, but the seam will not be secure in that area.
If you make the presser foot level somehow, then it will feed the fabric through and you’re good to go.
All that you need to do is get that presser foot level by putting something underneath the back of the presser foot while you’re sewing.
There are several little gadgets that you can use to make the presser foot level and make sewing over bulky seams a snap.
Bulky Seams Gadget #1 Hump Jumper
When you buy a sewing machine, most likely it will come with this little device called a “hump jumper”.
If you don’t have one, you can easily buy one here, or make your own.
How to use a hump jumper on bulky seams
Let me explain how to use it. Sew up to the seam and when the presser foot starts to tilt up, stop sewing, leave the needle in the down position, lift up the presser foot and slide the hump jumper under the foot as shown above.
Then continue to sew over the bulky seams and the hump jumper will just fall off.
The little hole on the hump jumper is used to help steady the needle when you are putting a new needle in the machine.
Just place the needle in the hole (make sure it is facing the correct way) and shove the top of the needle in place.
In the video tutorial, I demonstrate all of these methods, so be sure to watch it at the end of the post.
Bulky Seams Gadget #2 Leveling Foot
Some machines come with a presser foot that has a little black button on the side.
My machine has one and it is a Babylock Verve. (J foot)
How to use a LEVELING FOOT
Here is how to use that foot. Sew up to the seam and when the presser foot starts to tilt up, stop sewing, leave the needle in the down position, lift up the presser foot and push the little black button on the side of the foot.
When you bring the foot down, it will lock in place.
Continue to sew and when you go off the bulky seam, the button will pop back out. That’s it.
Bulky Seams Gadget #3 DIY Hump Jumper
If you don’t have either of these items, you can simply make your own.
All you need is a cracker or cereal box (As some of you know, I love to recycle.
- Cut a piece of the box about 6 x 3 inches.
- Fold the long part over about 2 inches and repeat folding until you have a folded bundle.
- Unfold it to the height of your fabric and simply slide it under the back of the presser foot against the edge of the bulky seam.
This will lift and level the presser foot so you can continue to sew. Once over the seam it will just fall out.
Bulky Seam Gadget #4 Emery Board
You can get creative here and use a lot of items to prop up that presser foot.
One thing I found that works well and doesn’t cost you anything, if you have one on hand, is a simple EMERY BOARD.
Who would have thought?
I love using these little gadgets when I’m hemming a pair of jeans.
There you have it. I hope you find these tips helpful and that you’ll get out your sewing machines and make something fun!
Here are some other posts you may find helpful:
DIY Cut Off Shorts | 4 Simple Hemming Methods
7 Sewing Machine Presser Feet and How To Use Them
DIY: Hemming Pants And Shorts That Are Too Long
Have fun sewing!
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
Set your iron on the high setting and make sure the steam is off. You’ll use a dry iron.
I love using 
When all the layers are in place, simply press it for about 10 to 15 seconds you don’t want to overdo it because you’ll burn the glue. Let it cool and then cut around your shape.
If you take the non-selvage, the stretchy edge, and pull it, it will curl to the WRONG SIDE.
Have you ever seen this little Gadget? Most likely it came with your sewing machine. I have to be honest, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I even knew what this was strange item was.
If you don’t have one in your sewing kit, no worries. You can make one by folding a cereal box 3-4 times to make a rectangle as shown in the photo.
Slide it under the back of the presser foot just like you would the hump jumper. (Watch video tutorial for a demonstration).
This binding is so cozy, it stretches really nice, and it has a clean finished look. 
Get in your sewing room, get out your fleece and make something fun.
As you continue to sew, you can always upgrade to a different machine and even buy an overlock/serger machine, (which I do recommend you get if you can).
Oh, the fun things you can make with an upcycle T-Shirt. Check out some of the ideas here.
Thread the needle through the button shank and back down into the fabric close to the shank. Make 3-6 passes depending on how big the shank is. For large shanks, make six passes and for smaller buttons, three passes will be plenty.
What I love about using a serger for gathering fabric is that it not only gathers the fabric, but it finishes the edge so it won’t fray.
You can create gathers by simply running a strip of fabric under the presser foot as you did with the other foot.
I like to place a piece of masking or painter’s tape onto the sewing plate at the 5/8 inch mark. This will help you see more clearly and help you guide the fabric along as you sew.
