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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: KTN
Date: 01-10-2005, 08:50 PM (1 of 4)
I am sewing a swimming suit. I would like to know if I should use a serger with coverstitch capability to attach the rubber elastic. If so, will this be an easy task? Is it a one step process?

Can you suggest a good serger with this capability?
User: KTN
Member since: 01-10-2005
Total posts: 1
From: Skye
Date: 01-10-2005, 11:53 PM (2 of 4)
I dont have a coverstitch machine (on my wish list) I make all my swimwear and this is what I do. I serge the elastic to the edge on the wrong side of the fabric(lining the fabric edge and elastic with the edge of my cutting blade so that the elastic doesn't get cut, then fold it over and use either my wavy stitch I think it might be called serpintine or I have a zig zag stitch that has stitches in the zigs and zags - does that make sense? I also sew the seams using a 3 thread stitch - 2 needles and lower looper only my machine has a cover to put over the upper looper I get a seam with a lot more stretch. When I was learning to sew swimwear I just used an ordinary zig zag stitch to top stitch the elastic down and I found that some times it would break with wear over time. I use the same technique to apply ( stitch) clear elastic to T shirt neck lines but I use my twin needle to stitch those down(imitation coverstitch which works well and is cheap when you look at the prices of coverstitch machines)
Skye
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000
Total posts: 233
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-11-2005, 05:19 AM (3 of 4)
There is a sergr foot called the elasticator that is great for putting in elastic. It has a little knob that you tighten that stretches the elastic just enough.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: sewcr8v
Date: 01-16-2005, 11:37 AM (4 of 4)
You can use the coverstitch to finish the elastic edge but you will have to serge the elastic on first, then flip it over and cover stitch it down.

To serge on elastic, disengage your blade, set your stitch length to as long as you can and only use 3 threads. When you flip it over, for those who are zigzagging it on, be sure that your needles goes in the elastic on the zig and just over the edge of the elastic on the zag - in other words, don't only penetrate the elastic with the zigzagging, one side should fall off the edge of the elastic into just the fabric - not so much a concern with the clear elastic which I don't use as I like the ridge you get with regular elastic on the finished edge. You can also just coverstitch this down.
Sewcr8v
Keep the world sewing...
User: sewcr8v
Member since: 09-05-2004
Total posts: 30
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