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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: DorothyL
Date: 11-07-2004, 11:01 PM (1 of 11)
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So I impulsively bought a serger on sale and finally got it threaded and it seems to work. Question is -- what the heck do I do with it? I know people that have sergers love them. What do you do? Any ideas what use I can put it to? What a pain to thread. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Skye
Date: 11-08-2004, 01:28 AM (2 of 11)
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Dorothy the possiblities are endless but I use mine mainly to finish seam edges, sewing knits is a breeze especially if you have differential feed. I use a twin needle on my machine to finish necklines etc on t shirt etc. lettice hems using rolled hem. Fancy threads in the loopers for a nice finish on fleece blankets, flat locking for interesting seams. But mainly as I said I use mine for sewing knits and finishing hems. Oh yes and swimwear lycra much more professional look with the elastic serged on. Have some fun. What brand is it I have an elderly elna 4 thread which I have to say is a breeze to thread Enjoy Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 11-08-2004, 02:36 AM (3 of 11)
| Skye summed it up nicely. Once you are more familiar with your serger you will find you might totally construct garments with it. Like doing tee shirts etc. You can blind hem with the serger more quickly than with a sewing machine. You can gather and puff fabric nicely and more quickly than with a sewing machine also. You can make belt loops and thread loops. The many feet available let you apply beading and piping, pintuck and elastic and more. If you have a serger that coverlocks you can also do coverlock hems and use chainstitch for construction and for deco work. I have even used my serger to cut fabric..like long pieces that serge and cut for pillows etc. I hope you enjoy your serger. Besides saving you time in your sewing they are also so much fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-08-2004, 07:56 AM (4 of 11)
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Any books you would reccomend? What about a source for White feet? I thought I'd start slow and edge stitch around a fleece quillow I'm making for my nephew. Then, If it looks too bad I can cut it off and finish it on the sewing machine. I know people who have them love their sergers but it may take me a while to figure out why. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-08-2004, 09:33 AM (5 of 11)
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I like my serger because it gives my clothes a more professional appearance with the seams finished. I received it as a gift about 15 yrs. ago when I was doing shows and selling my kidswear. It really makes a difference to me. Your garments go from looking home made to hand made with care. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 11-08-2004, 10:15 AM (6 of 11)
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Dorothy, I bought my serger 6 yrs. ago on a whim. Got myself my first credit card and had to max it out  . I bought it from a store that was closing so I got no help with learing how to use it. For the past six years I have only used it to do seams and finish edges. This summer I finally opened the manual and started to learn what else it can do. The rolled hem edge is beautiful with the right thread. It took awhile to figure out when to use it. I always ask myself before sitting down to sew if this could be done on the serger, often you'll find the answer is yes. 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: foxy
Date: 11-08-2004, 08:04 PM (7 of 11)
Hi---the book that I use alot is called "ABC's of Serging" by Tammy Young & Lori Bottom---excellent book- like the hints they also have. Hapy Serging 
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User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 11-09-2004, 02:09 AM (8 of 11)
| What model White serger is it? Allbrands has feet for a lot of the White sergers. |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-09-2004, 08:57 AM (9 of 11)
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I'll check out Albrands. Thanks. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-10-2004, 08:06 AM (10 of 11)
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I used the serger to finish seams on a blouse. The side seams were done before I got it, my usual French seams. I showed it to my husband who really knows nothing and cares less about seams. "Which looks best?" I asked. He didn't even blink. "That one for sure." It was the French seam. But the serger was faster. And they will probably look better once I get used to the machine. It uses household needles -- that's the same as in a sewing machine, right? Just regular needles? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 11-10-2004, 07:47 PM (11 of 11)
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What to use a serger for... make kiddie pj's in 30-45 minutes or so!! wooly nylon with fleece and you can whip up baby blankies pdq lettuce hem t-shirts for little girls rolled hems for napkins (great hostess gifts) and tablecloths finish all those seams!! fabulous for all knits give stability to lightweight knits for hems (worked great on my daughter's stretch velour xmas dress) fancy threads make really pretty pintucks (disengage the blade first  )and the list goes on, I like it b/c it is so fast and neat once your seam is stitched, but don't use it first go for anything you think you may need to alter cause once your seam allowance is gone that's it and the 4 thread is a pain in the tush to take out. Have fun! you'll love it once you get used to it, Oh Yeah... Make samples of all fabrics before you sew a single seam, it's amazing how much different fabrics need the differential adjusted! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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