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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: foxy
Date: 11-13-2003, 02:30 AM (1 of 23)
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Hi--my apologies for taking so long before introducing myself. I LOVE my serger & use it all the time. You can have anything at my house but not my serger. I have taught serger classes for 15 years & have written my own material. I will answer your questions to the best of my knowlege. I will only beabe to a couple of nights a week because I teach serging classes other nights. I will also try one day on the weekend. Friday night is a no no cause that is my dance night. lol Answering questions on the computor is a first for me but I will do my best. Happy Serging!!!!!!! |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-13-2003, 08:50 AM (2 of 23)
Welcome foxy, I am so glad you finally made it.  I am sure there are lots of questions the girls have for you. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: beach girl
Date: 11-13-2003, 06:16 PM (3 of 23)
| Thank you Foxy for being willing to help us confused souls out. I'm fine with a sewing machine but real new at my surger. I'll be checking all the questions & answers for sure & might even ask a few. Thanks again. |
User: beach girl
Member since: 11-08-2003 Total posts: 72 
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From: MaryW
Date: 11-14-2003, 07:49 AM (4 of 23)
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Foxy, what is good advice for someone who is half scared of their serger? I have heard this so many times, they take it out of the box, look at it and put it away again. How do you become familiar with your serger?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: foxy
Date: 11-14-2003, 02:44 PM (5 of 23)
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Originally posted by MaryW Welcome foxy, I am so glad you finally made it. I am sure there are lots of questions the girls have for you. hi thankyou. You are so kind to welcome me. Again I apologize for taking so long to registrar. |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: foxy
Date: 11-14-2003, 02:48 PM (6 of 23)
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Originally posted by beach girl Thank you Foxy for being willing to help us confused souls out. I'm fine with a sewing machine but real new at my surger. I'll be checking all the questions & answers for sure & might even ask a few. Thanks again. hi--thanks for welcoming me. Please, feel free to ask any questions u like. |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: foxy
Date: 11-14-2003, 02:59 PM (7 of 23)
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Originally posted by MaryW Foxy, what is good advice for someone who is half scared of their serger? I have heard this so many times, they take it out of the box, look at it and put it away again. How do you become familiar with your serger? HI- the secret to get familiar with your serger is to use it & practise lots on it. It is just like anything else when u are learning==practise, practise, practise. Take different pieces of fabric (scrapes) & just play with your serger. Its a beast now but in time the beast will become your friend. Hope this helps.
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User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: lovemyfabric
Date: 11-14-2003, 08:43 PM (8 of 23)
| Hi, I have a question. When I am serging my seams, every inch or so the thread seems to get pulled and it draws in the egde of the fabric and then it serges fine again. Do you have any idea what would cause it? I did change my needle, but I didn't try it yet to see if it helped. |
User: lovemyfabric
Member since: 06-06-2003 Total posts: 126 
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From: foxy
Date: 11-17-2003, 09:39 PM (9 of 23)
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Originally posted by lovemyfabric Hi, I have a question. When I am serging my seams, every inch or so the thread seems to get pulled and it draws in the egde of the fabric and then it serges fine again. Do you have any idea what would cause it? I did change my needle, but I didn't try it yet to see if it helped. Hello-I would say that it is your thread. You should have the same brand of thread on all the spools. Look at your thread & run your fingers down it. Cheap thread is thick in some places & then thin so when serging it can not give you a good serge. Maxi Lock is a very good brand of thread to purchased. I hope this will solve your problem.
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User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-18-2003, 09:09 AM (10 of 23)
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Foxy, there is another question here for you. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11417 MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: barbara j
Date: 11-20-2003, 08:16 PM (11 of 23)
| Mary, thanks for passing on my query to foxy, she was able to help me. Aren't we luck to have her help, I am quite new to serging and will be lapping up all the information. |
User: barbara j
Member since: 09-18-2003 Total posts: 41 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-21-2003, 05:43 PM (12 of 23)
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You're welcome barbara. Yes, we are very lucky to have foxy here to help all of us. Foxy, what is the best way to take out serger stitches? I don't want to rip them, usually I just cut off the entire stitching line. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: barbara j
Date: 11-21-2003, 06:08 PM (13 of 23)
| Foxy, can you tell me is it safe for my overlocker to stitch with the blades out of the way, so there is no trimming? thank you, from Barbara. |
User: barbara j
Member since: 09-18-2003 Total posts: 41 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-24-2003, 06:01 PM (14 of 23)
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Barbara, I'm not the expert, and I do not know if brand makes a difference, but my serger instr. book showed me how to move my knife out of the way to sew and not trim, so I know its OK to do it on my serger..I have had it over 15 years and its still going strong.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: foxy
Date: 11-24-2003, 09:50 PM (15 of 23)
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Originally posted by MaryW You're welcome barbara. Yes, we are very lucky to have foxy here to help all of us. Foxy, what is the best way to take out serger stitches? I don't want to rip them, usually I just cut off the entire stitching line. Hi--in a 3 thread balanced serge--the best way to take out serger stitiches is you pull the needle thread 4 thread balanced serger - pull both needle threads In a flat lock- you pull the lower looper thread Out in the market, you can purchase a serger seam ripper. the knife is very sharp like a doctors knife so be careful when using it. |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: foxy
Date: 11-24-2003, 10:00 PM (16 of 23)
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Originally posted by barbara j Foxy, can you tell me is it safe for my overlocker to stitch with the blades out of the way, so there is no trimming? thank you, from Barbara. My advise is to leave the blades where they are. When removing the blades you have no guide line to know where to serge. Also, your fabric can get caught in the upper looper & the looper could break---the cost of a looper could be expensive. Just learn where your needle & blade is===you can serge just next to the blade with very little trimming. 
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User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: barbara j
Date: 11-25-2003, 01:35 AM (17 of 23)
| Thanks Foxy, now I know the danger of overlocking minus the blades I won't even try. Thanks again. |
User: barbara j
Member since: 09-18-2003 Total posts: 41 |
From: barbara j
Date: 11-25-2003, 01:40 AM (18 of 23)
| Libby, thanks for your reply too, I guess we both learnt something useful and possibly money saving, I was never really sure until now. from barbara |
User: barbara j
Member since: 09-18-2003 Total posts: 41 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-25-2003, 08:20 AM (19 of 23)
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Libby, mine is an old Kenmore and it shows how I can move the blade too. I only ever did this once or twice but there was no problem at all.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 11-25-2003, 08:47 AM (20 of 23)
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My serger won't even sew if the blade is swung out of the way.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-28-2003, 06:31 PM (21 of 23)
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I cannot begin to tell y'all how many pairs of pants I have made that have elastic in the waist that I move the upper knife up out of the way so that i can sew the elastic ends together , and then slip it down over the pants and make the waistband tunnel, tuck the elastic inside and serge to make a finished waistband . This is such a timesaver and I have never had a hint of a problem doing it this way.. I will keep on .. I will 'fess up if it ever causes me a problem..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: foxy
Date: 12-02-2003, 08:52 PM (22 of 23)
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by barbara j Foxy, can you tell me is it safe for my overlocker to stitch with the blades out of the way, so there is no trimming? thank you, from Barbara. [/QU: Hi- I would not advise you to move your blades out of the way because then you may not serge straight seams cause there is no guide line. The other reason is you could get your fabric caught in a looper (which can happen) & the looper may break. Then you have big problems |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: barbara j
Date: 12-07-2003, 01:38 AM (23 of 23)
| Foxy are you able to help me with this problem. The last project I serged pants and within the serging tunnelling appeared and now I am serging lightweight crushed poly/cotton and the tunnelling is even worse, I have the Singer Overlocking Book, not the serging one, I think mine is deleted stock, and also Ultimate Serger Answer guide and I don't seem to be able to find the problem. Have you any advice please, as I would really appreciate help with my frustration! |
User: barbara j
Member since: 09-18-2003 Total posts: 41 |
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