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From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-04-2005, 05:50 PM (1 of 28)
 Hi All,Santa left me a Serger under the Christmas Tree...and I am suffering from acute Sergerphobia. I'm serious. I am a beginner quilter and wannabe sewer and am wondering if I should keep this intimidating looking invention or return it to the store. (It makes my fifty-year-old Singer look like it came off the Ark.) I asked Santa for "something quilty" and this is what he got me! I'm not sure you can even use a Serger for quilting, can you? Seems like a VERY expensive way to finish seams...on the other hand...maybe it will open new doors for me in the world of sewing... Keep it and learn it - or return it to store??? Any advice appreciated. Thank you. |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-04-2005, 06:04 PM (2 of 28)
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I say keep it! I love mine but I do lots more than just quilt. Do you sew gifts or for your family?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 01-04-2005, 06:24 PM (3 of 28)
MY HEAVENS WOMAN ( I'M ASSUMING YOU ARE ONE) KEEP IT!!!!!!! ONCE YOU USE IT YOU WILL BE HOOKED FOREVER!!!!!! 
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User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-04-2005, 07:11 PM (4 of 28)
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Sewhappie, I am laughing so hard I am almost falling over. Your post was exactly what I was going to say. M & M's Mom, Keep it, Learn it and Love it!!!!!! It can do so many things faster and cleaner not to mention it gives your clothing a more professional look. I can whip up a pair of pants in no time using my serger. Heck I would have two if I could afford it. One set for rolled hems and one for seams. I don't know a thing about quilting so I can't help you there. 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: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-04-2005, 08:59 PM (5 of 28)
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You have me laughing out loud! I should have known the gals on the Serger Thread would be champions of the cause! Okay...three votes for keeping it... we'll see what the next few days bring. Did none of you have any fears when you plugged in your first sergers? How I envy fearless women. Mary, I have knitted gifts for my family, crocheted gifts for my family, macramed gifts for my family, baked gifts for my family, and am in the process of quilting gifts for my family, but "No", I haven't yet sewed gifts for my family. (Well, there was that one pair of lop-sided potholders...) I really appreciate this site and the answers to my query. Thanks gals! I'll let you know shortly if I am "cured". |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-04-2005, 09:47 PM (6 of 28)
 I'm one of those that WON'T say keep it...I got myself a serger thinking I would use the heck out of it, cause I sew and sew....but alas..it sits in the closet, threaded and ready to go, but no sew....I too quilt, do home decor, etc and I use my other 3 machines MUCH more. (2 embroidery and 1 quilt). The poor serger might as well be a door stop... For me is was a poor choice at the time....(but I have tons of thread for it...  )
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-04-2005, 10:05 PM (7 of 28)
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I got my serger about 2 yrs. ago. I love it now but was afraid to try new things for a while. I have messed a a few things but I have learned new things by trying. I made myself 4 new shirts last week & total time was about 1 hr. each. It actually took longer to pick out stash fabric & patterns. It is great for crafts. I have made many rice packs & kitchen towels. Give it a try on some simple projects & see what you can do. I think it would be great if you machine quilt as long as you don't want your seams pressed open.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: mamadus
Date: 01-04-2005, 10:19 PM (8 of 28)
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I think the key is to make sure that you take advantage of whatever classes the dealer offers and become familiar with your machine, especially with the threading and whatever changeover is required to go from overlock to rolled hems or from overlock to coverstitch... could I ask, what kind of machine did you get?? congrats on your new baby... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-05-2005, 03:37 AM (9 of 28)
| Yes, everything is so much faster on a serger..and they are so much fun. You can finish off seams, piece and quilt, attach pearls and braid and binding and blind hemming. One of the best things I think that a serger does is how fast (around 1300 stitches a min.) you can gather in one step and it gathers so much better than using your sewing machine to sew 2 rows of stitching and then pulling the threads. The serger gathers in one easy motion by using your differntial feed. Some things can be constructed totally alone with the serger without the use of your sewing machine. The rolled hems are fantastic. I do many rolled hems on baby blankets for the family and just think of how easy it is to make a fleece throw or fleece scarves, hats and mittens for gifts for family and friends. I have even used my serger to cut out patterns..probably not recommended in your sewing classes. I had a huge plastic covered canvas that I had to make into covers for my daughters outdoor furniture and I used my serger to cut it out. Deco work is done with the serger using it's tassels and chains. If you are afraid of it.. you could think of it as an adult toy to enjoy..have fun. It really isn't a toy..though..it does professional work..has nedles and knives and caution is needed in using. However one feels about it..it is fun and does great things..enjoy. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-05-2005, 02:30 PM (10 of 28)
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Thanks for taking the time to reply! The jury is still "out" but I'm encouraged by your thoughts. (Thinking back thirty years or so...I remember being nervous the first time I used my new pressure cooker!) Santa brought me a Kenmore 3/4D with Differential Feed (at this point I have no clue what this means), and I called Sears to inquire about classes. They offer a free demo which I'll attend, but no hands-on classes. I've called around and found serger classes in a town about an hour's drive from where I live and am on a wait list as class is full at present. The serger did come with a video - you know the kind - perfectly calm, perfectly manicured hands, perfectly serging away... OK. I am going to give it a try. After all, this isn't a Boeing 747, right?!?! Found a simple serger project on the Internet (shoe bag), that could be enlarged to be a serger cover. So...here I go! Thanks again, gals. You're a great bunch. |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-05-2005, 06:33 PM (11 of 28)
I'll tell you a few things I read when I first got my serger, and some things I learned just by using it.. Mine makes a perfect 1/4 inch seam... I had to buy an $18.00 foot for my regular machine to do that.. I learned to make great 9 patches on my serger.. I read that you have to get over thinking that you have to match thread to every fabric you serge.. Advice was use light and dark (2 sets only to begin with) .. After all, stitches are not going to show.. I'm talking construction here, not decorative finishing edges..I will bet you that after the first time you use it to serge strips together that you have to re-cut in order to construct a block, you will never again ask if a serger is good for a quilter.. Give it a try, for goodness sake.. Play with it.. Don't try to make a block the first try.. Learn by testing, testing, testing.. You can always make potholders out of your tests.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-06-2005, 12:50 PM (12 of 28)
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Thanks for your note. You're right. I need to "play" with it and be willing to make mistakes. I heard a quote once that went something like: "In order to be very good at something, you have to be willing to be bad at it first." Lots of truth there. So many of us (well, me anyway), want to good at something right away! If we aren't, we give up. So...I managed to get my serger threaded...and turned on...so far so good!  I am so glad to have you say I can use it for quilting. First thing I'll figure out is the 1/4 inch seam. (I anticipate ending up a rather large stack of "potholder blocks". Guess what everybody's getting for Christmas NEXT year?!?!?) |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-06-2005, 07:37 PM (13 of 28)
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Bravo ! ! Keep it up.. I'm trying to get the nerve to put a collar on a Polo shirt for my DS.. rather than a plain t-shirt neck.. Its real Polo fabric, so I want it to look great..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-07-2005, 12:51 AM (14 of 28)
| M & M, a 3/4 thread serger sews with either 3 or 4 threads. Some 4 thread sergers also sew with 2 threads but an adapter or looper cover is used to cover the upper looper to do so. Some sergers have a little bar converter that is used to keep the looper from being active. As for the D..differential feed..that means that the serger has more than one set of feed dogs and they work independently from each other. You can adjust the feed to prevent some fabric from puckering and you can use it for the opposite effect to gather or stretch it..depending on how you adjust it.You will find that gathering is easier on the serger than with a sewing machine. The differential feed is mainly to feed the fabric to have better results. If you are familiar with Pfaff sewing machines and the IDT built in dual feed walking foot..it is the same idea. Your finished project looks so much better. I would not want a serger that did not have the diff. feed because I use it so often. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-07-2005, 07:54 AM (15 of 28)
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The differential feed is a life saver! I don't use my serger as much as my machine for actual clothing construction but I finish fabrics, and seams with it constantly. It is a wonderful invention. It really depends on the look you like in your products as to how you will use it. There are some things that can ONLY be done on a serger. A lot of my quilting friends use a serger almost exclusively for construction and I think in quilting it would be WONDERFUL! You'll really enjoy it and wonder what you did without it in no time!!! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-07-2005, 08:48 PM (16 of 28)
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Thanks for your responses! So nice to find messages waiting. I appreciate the encouragement. Libby, good luck with the collar...I bet it'll look great. KyInne2, thanks for the explanation re: 3/4D with Differential Feed. The manual that came with the machine seems to assume that I know more about sergers than I really do. I'm not familiar with the newer models of sewing machine - I have a faithful old Singer treadle that still hums along perfectly and a "newer" fifty year old electric Singer that can go forwards, backwards, and zig-zag (with the addition of a big black plastic disk that you clamp in the top). I love them both. Perhaps this serger will bring me into the new millenium! Pam, you're right. I probably will enjoy it and wonder what I ever did without it. When microwaves first came out, I wondered why bother...all that money to warm up left-overs...ha! Now my policy is: "If the house ever catches fire, I'll grab the animals and hubby can grab the microwave!" (Oops, ha,ha, I meant to say sewing machine and serger.) Sew on, friends! |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-07-2005, 11:21 PM (17 of 28)
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I'll be left to get the sewing machine(s), serger, computer, designs, threads, his camera gear (he thinks the wife carries the gear), the kids can take care of themselves...husband will be getting the parrots.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: JulieS
Date: 01-11-2005, 07:56 PM (18 of 28)
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Santa brought me a serger (Janome 734D) and I have been terrified to use it. I am bring it to "sewing practice" tomorrow (a v. talented local woman had "classes" at her house) and am going to spend a few hours playing around. I am a very adventurous beginner/intermmediate sewer, but this thing scares the beejezzums out of me. Everyone tells me I will just love it, but I can't quite figure out how much I will actually use it, so am having trouble deciding if it is a worthy investment or if I would be better served returning it for the Digitizer embroidery software I have been drooling over... Please keep us updated!!! Good luck to you! |
User: JulieS
Member since: 01-11-2005 Total posts: 26 |
From: Clarkia
Date: 01-11-2005, 11:56 PM (19 of 28)
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If I am mending or sewing kids clothes I never sew anything that I can serge. My serger is right beside my sewing machine and I don't know what I would do without it. Here are some ideas to help you get started: Walk up to it like you own it. In other words, with confidence. Just think, if thousands ?millions? of other gals learned to use it, you can, too. Don't sit down to it when you are already tired or the house is noisy. Spend an hour or so in the evening to straighten the house up, and sit down to it in the morning while you are fresh. Make sure there will be no interruptions if possible and plan to only spend an hour or an hour and a half max learning something new on it. Gain confidence by serging everything in sight for a while. Frayed edges of towels, fabric you have just purchased before you toss it in the machine for that first wash, scraps of fabric from your scrap bag. Sergers are made very sturdy in my experience. You will learn to stop immediately if something sounds different inside it, because that usually means something is wrong. I hem jeans or pants this way: Have the owner of the jeans try them on inside out. Pin them up at the right place. Iron them to mark the hem. No need to turn them right side out again. Serge (and cut at the same time) the bottom edge about half an inch below the fold. Fold the cuff inside and do a blind hem. You are only working on one layer of fabric this way. I always cut the heavy seams with a good sharp pair of scissors but the serger handles the rest of the cut just fine. When you have to mend knees, open up the seam to above the knees, sew in your patch, and sew and serge the seam for a real good job. There are going to be times when things just won't come together. I have owned a serger for years and it still happens. It usually is some little thing like you forgot to loosen the tension disc completely and get the thread in there all the way when you change threads, or you missed a point when you threaded it. Sometimes it pays to just loosen all the tension discs and start over. Once you learn which threads are on top and which ones are on the bottom, and which ones are on the outside of the seam and which ones are on the inside, it is fairly easy to adjust the tension. Try using four distinct colors of thread for a while so they show up. It is something you need to learn because the needs of your machine seem to change when you change fabrics. It is not a set it and forget it thing. Just play around with it, and watch what happens when you tighten or loosen the different tension discs. It is not something anyone can teach you. Hope this helps. What a wonderful Christmas presentQ Kay. Kay
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User: Clarkia
Member since: 05-05-2003 Total posts: 23 |
From: sable
Date: 01-12-2005, 03:04 AM (20 of 28)
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Or overlocker as we call them here in New Zealand. I don't do patchwork/quilting myself, but even with that I can see one place it's really good to use this machine. When you are thinking about preshrinking your fabric overlock the two cut edges together. You'll lose 1/2" fabric as the easiest way to remove the overlocking is simply to cut it off, but you won't end up with fraying, and once you've preshrunk it leave the overlocking on it until you use the fabric. That way you know for sure you've done the preshrinking. I also use it for sewing knits, finishing seams and hems, and occasionally for decoration. If you are thinking about starting garment sewing I suggest a simple skirt pattern from a woven fabric, that way you can use the normal machine to do the construction (which you are used to using), and the overlocker to finish seams and hems (the easy part of the job, even when using an unfamiliar machine). The good thing about a simple skirt for this is that all the edges to finish tend to be long and straight, the perfect thing to practice overlocking on. As the other ladies have said, when you are starting to use the machine for the first time, pick a quiet time when you won't be disturbed and are fairly fresh. Follow the manual exactly for threading. Once you have done this a few times you will wonder why you were worried! Hope this helps |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-12-2005, 08:05 AM (21 of 28)
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I'm going to yank the cover off my new serger to finish seams on a shirt I'm making. I know it will do that much because I did it once before. The problem is I bought it on impulse (and on sale) just before Xmas and no one in the store knew how to use it. They said the manager does -- but she wasn't there. I need to pick up a couple good books I guess and just spend some time fooling around with it. I am a good illustration for the point everyone makes about buying from a dealer so you get some lessons. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-12-2005, 08:08 AM (22 of 28)
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You are very brave. In the interest of customer service, maybe you could call and make arrangements (now) to return to the store and meet with the manager for a little lesson on how to use it. If I were the manager I'd be thrilled to help you because you waited until after Christmas and after the return rush to come in.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Writer
Date: 01-13-2005, 12:15 PM (23 of 28)
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I have a fairly new serger and I'm still learning. I found this book: The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide by Naomi Baker, Gail Braown and Cindy Kacynski to be my best friend. Before Christmas I went to a scarf making class where you use decorative threads on sticky washable stablizer covered with another sheet of washable stablizer. The threads were very expesive. I came home and payed with my serger and made all kinds of fun threads using embroidery thread. They looked great and it was a fraction of the cost. Diana |
User: Writer
Member since: 01-16-2001 Total posts: 184 
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From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-20-2005, 07:12 PM (24 of 28)
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Thank you for taking the time to write again and encouarge me. Some great ideas - and good suggestions. I laughed out loud at the thought of "approaching it like I own it"! (Maybe it can sense fear!?!?) I could hug you. I am amazed at your detailed and thoughtful responses. Again, thanks. Well... I finally found and bought the book The ABC's of Serging and it looks great. I attended the demo at the store - it wasn't "hands on", but it did get me thinking about some possible projects, so I'm glad I went. Now I just have to bite the bullet and convince myself that "Practice fabric is NOT wasted fabric". Good grief, I think I am a fabric scrooge. No one could make anything out of some of the teeny pieces in my scrap bag! You'll be happy to know I found some simple projects on the Internet to try and out of NECESSITY I designed and serged a simple raincoat for my four month old puppy! It's not perfect, but she didn't care and no one on the street laughed (at least not out loud!). I had a scrap of navy pre-quilted fabric and a kid size red plastic rain poncho that I cut up. Saved $30! I'll keep you posted. I'm working on quilt blocks for Joanne's Advent Quilt today. Tomorrow I think I'll play with the Decorative Flatlock on my serger and see if it would be good to use for a Crazy Quilt. Cheerio All! Happy Serging! |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-20-2005, 07:14 PM (25 of 28)
| Did you wind your embroidery thread onto bobbins? Or what? |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: Writer
Date: 01-21-2005, 10:34 AM (26 of 28)
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I did wind it on those big serger spools (they come in a kit) and I used the trim both in the serger and also with my regular machine. I couched the trim on a quilt block. Diana |
User: Writer
Member since: 01-16-2001 Total posts: 184
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From: M & M's Mom
Date: 01-21-2005, 11:42 AM (27 of 28)
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Diana, I'll give it a try. Sable, I need a winter skirt...yes, it would be good to learn on. Kay, what a neat idea for hemming pants. It just so happens hubby has a new pair that I have to hem this weekend. I'll try your method. Julie, you keep ME posted, too. We're in this together. (I was hoping that big box under the tree for me was a Kitchen Aid mixer. :smile Dorothy, someone told me the girls in Home Ec at school use sergers now! Maybe you could call your local junior high school and speak to the Home Ec teacher about a paid private lesson? (Or ask your babysitter.) Pam, I wish you lived nearby. You obviously have lots of machine savy...and I'd love to see your machines in action. (You have parrots? Lucky you!) Bye now. I have a quiet afternoon planned. Me and my serger are going to get aquainted! |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-21-2005, 06:47 PM (28 of 28)
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Hi, my degree was in home ec. I love to sew! I'm just getting into the embroidery thing (slowly)...I am not the crafty type so it takes me a bit to get warmed up when it comes to how to place things and what to do in terms of the embroidery. Now, give me fabric and we're in a different arena. I used to tell the parents and other leaders when I did Girl Scouts (I was in charge of a local day camp for a week each summer) that I didn't do glue and seqins! I always kept a good staff on hand for that. Yes, we have a wonderful crew of parrots! We have a Blue and Gold Macaw, a Yellow Nape Amazon, a Congo African Grey, a Nanday and a Sun Conure. Fortunately, we live in the country. It gets pretty loud around here especially in the early morning and around dusk. The worst is that they can all imitate the phones and knocking at the door. I had a housesitter during my mother's funeral. One of the birds kept calling out "Hello". She thought there was a man lost someplace in the house. She was a bit of a wreck by the time that we got home from the funeral. The Blue and Gold got mad at me the other day because I left him in his cage and he was yelling "Help! Help me!" It kind of freaked my daughter. I wish you guys lived closer too! I'd love a sewing buddy! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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