How to Sew Thicker Seams using a DIY Hump Jumper

Sewing thicker seams, for example on denim, canvas or wool can sometimes result in uneven stitches, especially when going over seams. However there is a simple way to combat this - a hump jumper and it does exactly what it says on the tin! Jumps those humps!

Depending on what type of machine you have, you may well have a funny little tool in there to do the job for you. This one is made like a fan so you are able to either use one layer or three depending on the thickness that you need.

a perspex tool with 3 arms joined at one end that you can fan out and make it as thick as you need it to be. However if you don't there is a very simple, cheap DIY trick to help, a wedge of cardboard!

When you place an item with a thick edge under your sewing foot it can often look like this. This can result in uneven stitches at the start of the seam.a picture of a piece of fabric under a sewing machine foot with the foot angled upThis is where the hump jumper comes in handy, by wedging it up at the back it levels out the foot and allows the machine to sew even stitches.

the same photo as the previous one but this time it has a wedge of cardboard at the back of the sewing foot

Simply wedge a piece of card at the back of your sewing machine foot to make sure that the foot is flat.Depending on where the bulky seams are you may also need to move the card or hump jumper to the front of the foot to ensure it stays level.

Just ensure that the card is always behind or at the side of the needle, you don't want to risk damaging your machine.a picture of the front of the machine, close up to the foot. the cardboard is at the side and the fabric at the back.By placing the card to the side of the foot, it helps to ease the foot off the sewing, to keep the foot level and to keep the stitches even. Remember to keep the cardboard away from the needle!

This is the method we use, but we always recommend that you try any of these methods first on a scrap piece of fabric. 

2 comments

A wedge of cardboard. Great idea! Just happens that I recently found an angled piece of cardboard very similar to the picture you posted.

I thought I’d use it to prop up a small manual so I could read it while sewing.

Now I have a much better use for it. Thank you!

Penny In NJ September 02, 2024

Great site!
Great info!
Thank you.
Sam ~ Juki powered

Sam Here June 29, 2024

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