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: smessier
Date: 01-07-2005, 01:57 PM (1 of 15)
|
Hey Everyone! A couple of months ago I bought a second hand serger, a Juki MO103N. It's an older model but I wasn't sure that I needed a serger at all and the price was right on this one. Anyway, I've been sewing for years but never have used a serger before. I'm not quite sure what to use it on.  When we went home for the holidays, an elderly aunt of mine who has used sergers since they came out, said that since I have a 3/4 thread serger, I will not have a safety stitch on my machine...and she's right, I don't. Now I'm wondering if this serger is any good at all. Do any of you stitch up your projects without the safety stitch? What type of project is this best for? I sew mostly garments and home decor items. Is it okay to use the serger for these things? It sews quite nicely...just hope I can really use it.  Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy New Year! Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-07-2005, 02:08 PM (2 of 15)
|
I make all of my T- shirts, boxers & pajama pants with the serger. Usually combined with the regular machine. I make rice packs (heat packs) & the serger works great for that. I have also made curtains & tablecloths. Sewing goes a lot faster once you learn how to use it. It does take practice & I wouldn't start on anything real important.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: smessier
Date: 01-07-2005, 04:02 PM (3 of 15)
|
When you say 'usually combined with the regular machine', what do you mean?? This is where I am confused. When you make the t shirts, pajamas, and other things, do you have a safety stitch that is on your serger? Or just a plain old serger like mine? Do you do some of the seams on the regular machine because you don't trust the serger seam to hold? Am I making any sense???  I just don't feel like my serger is good enough to hold seams now that I know there is such a thing as a safety stitch that you get with the more elaborate sergers. Am I wrong? Thanks for trying to clear things up for me. Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 01-07-2005, 04:14 PM (4 of 15)
|
I don't have a safety stitch on my serger. In the class that I took when my husband bought the serger, they said to use fray check. I have been doing that on things I have been using my serger for and its seems to work.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-07-2005, 06:17 PM (5 of 15)
|
I do not think my serger has a safety stitch, since I have never heard the term before.. If you mean something to lock the stitching , no... You can use fray check, or there is a tool that I ordered from Clotilde.. It looks like a needle with an eye in each end.. Tapestry sized maybe.. You just insert it under the threads close to the end of the seam and then thred the hangers on in the eye and pull it back thru the seam.. You can even use a tapestry needle to do the same thing, because I cannot always find my tool, and then I use any old tapestry needle I have .. Now about the strength of the serged seams.. The reason you use a machine for hems in t-shirts is (in my case anyway) my serger is old and does not have a coverstitch. This is a stitch that looks like it is made with a double needle and is such a great one for hems on knit fabrics..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-07-2005, 10:44 PM (6 of 15)
|
I do casings & top stitching on the regular machine also most hems. PJs I just serge the bottom unless they are for a gift. To lock the stitches I cut with just a few loops left then if you pull it will tighten the last stitch & give you enough thread to knot. This took me some practice so I didn't pull to tight you just want to tighten the last 1 or 2 stitches. I never read about this but just did it by accident & it seams to work. I have never heard of a serger that would lock the stitches. I hope this helps. I have learned all I know by watching the video that came with my machine & practice. I have learned that doing some turns doesn't work unless you have taken the cutter off. ( ruined a teddy bear that way.) Mostly though if I want to do something I practice on scrap until I get it to work or give up.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-08-2005, 01:53 AM (7 of 15)
| There are many great books out today that show what sergers do. It shows the many stitches and attachments that can be used on them also. Depending on the serger model..if 4 thread, 5 thread or more..a safety stitch is a straight stitch that runs beside the serged stitch. It gives a secure stitch but not a very stretchy one and you really do not need it. My old Babylock was a 4 thread mock safety and it limited my use of the left needle to do other serged programs. You will find how easy it is to gather and apply binding and piping, apply elastic etc. with a serger. I do recommend some good books or a video to see the full capabilities so you can enjoy your serger to the fullest. Maybe your local library has some. Usually fabric stores and sewing machine dealers sell them also. After working with your serger then you will probably want one with more threads for deco work or a coverhem machine. LOL I hope you enjoy your serger..they are fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: sewcr8v
Date: 01-08-2005, 10:39 PM (8 of 15)
|
I have an older model Juki overlocker myself (aka serger), had it for 14 yrs and just love it. Such a workhorse. I can't think of anything I can't serge, well maybe a buttonhole!? Nothing goes out of my sewing room without the serger having something to do with it and this particular machine is a 2, 3, or 4 thread. When using 4 threads, you actually have two separate rows of top stitching as well as the upper loop on the top edge of the fabric and the lower loop on the bottom edge of the fabric. So if one of the topstitched rows gives out, you still have a whole other row of stitching to save it. Now I have never had my stitching blow out in the middle of a seam so I give it full marks for being a strong stitch. Also, I use 4 threads when serging skating dresses and there is huge stress on those seams when worn by skaters in competition. Most skating dresses never even see my regular sewing machine, just my sergers. Can't say enough good things about serging as I apply it to pretty much everything I turn out.
Sewcr8v
Keep the world sewing... |
User: sewcr8v
Member since: 09-05-2004 Total posts: 30 
|
From: smessier
Date: 01-16-2005, 11:13 AM (9 of 15)
|
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! You've all helped me so much! I have a better understanding and now trust my 'old-time' serger! It was the extra, straight stitch along side the serged stitch that I was talking about. I'm glad to hear that I don't really need it. The aunt that gave me this information is a sweetie but very dramatic! She made me worry for nothing! Of course she has always had all the latest sewing equipment with all the bells and whistles...we should all be so lucky!  Have a great day everyone. ps...doesn't the new site look fantastic!? 
|
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: foxy
Date: 02-06-2005, 04:49 PM (10 of 15)
|
Secure a seam: Beginning: 1. one stitch in the fabric 2. neddle down 3. lift pressure foot 4. pull the chain off the the stitch finger 5. swing the chain to front, putting it under the knife 6. lower the pressure foot 7. stitch over the chain End: 1. stitch one stitch off the fabric 2. needle up 3. raise pressure foot 4. gently pull the needle thread off the stitch finger 5. flip fabric over towards yourself(which now will be the lower lopper side of fabric 6. lower pressure foot and stitch over last few stitches about one inch CAREFFULLY NOT TO CUT STITCHES 7. raise pressure foot 8. pull needel thread 9. pull fabric away from pressure foot 10 lower pressure foot & serge |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: luv2sew
Date: 02-08-2005, 02:35 PM (11 of 15)
|
Foxy, thank you for these instructions. Now I will go and practice, practice and practice some more. I have to learn to use these machines.
Luv2sew
An act of kindness is never wasted!! |
User: luv2sew
Member since: 05-21-2004 Total posts: 174 
|
From: foxy
Date: 02-09-2005, 10:55 PM (12 of 15)
| You are most welcome on the instructions to secure a seam on a serger. Glad I could help |
User: foxy
Member since: 11-13-2003 Total posts: 58 |
From: happylittlemom
Date: 02-28-2005, 10:04 AM (13 of 15)
|
From what I understand, if you have a 3/4 thread serger then you can do what is called a 'mock safety stitch' which would work almost the same. Happy |
User: happylittlemom
Member since: 02-28-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-01-2005, 01:38 AM (14 of 15)
Happy, not all 3/4 threads do a mock safety stitch. It is hard to explain without showing a picture. Some sergers do a mock safety, some do a safety and then there is a 5 thread safety and so on. With 5 threads some do the serged stitch with a chain stitch beside it. On a 3/4 thread serger that has the mock safety ability..and not many models do..the mock safety seam appears like a serged seam with a straight stitch beside it. Some sergers also do a safety 4 thread. I believe Juki has a 5 thread that does a safety but not a coverhem. I suggest looking up on line or check out books from the library or buy some serger books that show the differentt seams. My serger does about 18 different serged stitch programs and 3 coverhems and chain. I find I use many of the 2 and 3 thread stitches more than the 4 thread. The seams are secure. I find it makes a difference in knowing which stitches to use on certain materials. In finding out the many uses of the different feet expands your sewing capablility and you will find that you use your serger more. There is also the many decorative looks you can achieve with your serger and the different threads or yarns that you use in the serger. Have fun with your serger..
|
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: MartySews
Date: 03-01-2005, 07:09 PM (15 of 15)
|
One of the best books on the market for learning to use a serger in my opinion is "The ABC's Of Serging". It will help you to understand your machine and the terminology plus give you ideas of what you can do with a serger. For about $20 (USA) it is a worthwhile investment. Hope this helps. Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
|
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
|
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-14623.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft