Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: gm23237
Date: 11-03-2003, 07:53 PM (1 of 13)
| I am also new to sergers and I just want to know is there a way to "lock" your stitches when you serge or is it really needed? I know on a sewing machine to back up and then go forward to lock a stitch but I do not know on a serger. Thanks |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 11-03-2003, 08:46 PM (2 of 13)
|
I was taught years ago in high school to tie a knot. This was back when sergers were new there may be a better way now. If If I am gonna be serging over that corner going the other way I don't bother tying a knot.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 11-03-2003, 09:50 PM (3 of 13)
Most sergers do not have a reverse so you cannot back stitch. The stitches will unravel if you don't knot the ends. I was taught to knot them and then pull them into the seam using a large blunt needle. If you forget and cut them off, put a little Fray Away (or similiar product) on the ends to seal them.
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
|
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: gm23237
Date: 11-03-2003, 09:51 PM (4 of 13)
|
Thaks for replying but maybe I did not explain the question I had. When you start to sew with a serger do you need to lock that stitch and then lock the stitch again when you are done with that seam. I know with a sewing machine you start off and then back stitch and then sew on until you stop and then you lock that stitch again, Do you need to lock stitch with a serger and if so how do you do it? Thanks again I hope I made sense LOL |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
|
From: dmoses
Date: 11-03-2003, 10:51 PM (5 of 13)
|
Normally when you use a serger, you will have a tail of threads at the beginning and end of the seam. If you are going to be serging across those ends, then there is no need to do anything else with them. If you need to 'lock' the threads, to prevent unraveling, there are a couple of ways to do it. You can do what Pudge and Mamahoogie mentioned(i.e. cut and use fray stop, or knot and feed the tails back through the serged seam using a large-eyed needle). I don't usually knot the threads, I just 'hand-sew' them back into the seam. The other way is a little more complicated. When starting to sew the seam, take one or two stitches, then take the 'lead-off' thread tail, and bring it under the foot to the front. Serge it into the seam as you continue to sew. When ending the seam, take one stitch beyond the fabric, gently pull the threads off the stitch finger, flip the garment so that the end of the seam is under the presser foot in front of the needles, serge for about an inch, then gradually veer off the edge of the seam. I guess you would be serging the thread tail back into the seam... Hope this helps. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: Pudge99
Date: 11-04-2003, 12:31 PM (6 of 13)
|
Donna, WOW!!! I never thought of doing it that way. Sounds so simple to me. I always for get to tie them in a knot. I am working on some diapers right now I will have to try that way and see how it goes. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 11-04-2003, 03:32 PM (7 of 13)
|
Donna, I love it when I remember to do what your last suggestion was but alas, I have too many senior moments and end up doing the knotting and/or fray checking bit. I think I need to serge more to remember that! Thanks for the reminder.
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
|
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: dmoses
Date: 11-05-2003, 10:11 AM (8 of 13)
To be honest, I don't usually remember to use this method, either. Must be that I am always in a hurry to get things done... ...Not that this method takes any great amount of time, but that I don't take time to think about it!
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-06-2003, 07:24 PM (9 of 13)
Here's what I do when I have thread tails. I leave about an inch of stitches hanging when I cut the thread. Thread it thru a tapestry needle and pull it thru the stitches at the end of the seam.. I have not had one to pull out yet.. I don't like to use fray check, specially on baby goods, its hard and rough..Clotilde sells a tool (needle) specially made for this .. It works great, also.. I keep it in my serger tool box next to my serger.. Very low cost, also..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: sewingrandma
Date: 11-08-2003, 05:40 PM (10 of 13)
|
Libby I pull the threads also but I use Fray Block. It doesn't get hard and scratchy like the fray check does. I did learn that if you get it wet before it dries it turns white. I was having one of those days where if I touched it I spent 2 hours trying to fix what I messed up. Oh well, I should have listened to myself and stopped while I was ahead. Lets just say a sweatshirt for my DGD has lots of bows over it to cover a couple of spots I spilled. Looks real cute.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Llantrisant
Date: 11-11-2003, 01:55 PM (11 of 13)
|
Finishing with tail ends.What i do is use frey check,let it dry then with a warm iron and a cloth, gently give it some heat.This prevents the scratchies lol.
If at first you don't suceed, try-try again!
|
User: Llantrisant
Member since: 06-02-2002 Total posts: 144
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-12-2003, 05:58 PM (12 of 13)
|
Brockie, I had placed an order from Clotilde and ordered Fray-Block. I have it, but haven't used it yet.. Thanks for the info about it.. I have a little bit of fray-check left yet.. I'll also use the warm iron and press cloth tip from Llantrisant... Thanks to both of you..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: foxy
Date: 11-30-2003, 01:23 PM (13 of 13)
|
Originally posted by gm23237 I am also new to sergers and I just want to know is there a way to "lock" your stitches when you serge or is it really needed? I know on a sewing machine to back up and then go forward to lock a stitch but I do not know on a serger. Thanks  Hi, I do it like Dmoses expect when ending the seam--after flipping the material, serge down an inch BECAREFUL not to cut stitches & then raise the pressure foot, pull material away from the pressure foot, serge & cut the thread That way you won't have thread loops hanging on the edge to snag.
|
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-11342.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft