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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: CarolF
Date: 01-30-2005, 07:12 PM (1 of 6)
HELP..I have a Baby Lock serger that stitches fine as long as there is no fabric in the machine. The threads wrap around the bar and a perfect chain forms but as soon as I put a piece of fabric in all I get is a balled up mess of threads. Any suggestions?
User: CarolF
Member since: 01-30-2005
Total posts: 2
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-31-2005, 02:55 AM (2 of 6)
Carol..if you are new to serging..then..ok, let's see..you start to serge..you get a good chain behind the needle..let the chain get pretty long if need be before adding fabric..then feed the fabric lightly ..let the serger grab the fabric..do not force it or pull it in anyway..let the serger do it on it's own while you step on the foot pedal..like it is eating it up LOL. Is this what you are doing and you are still getting tangles? I suggest to check your threading, did you miss a thread guide? Is your stitch finger set properly for the type of stitch you are doing? Be sure tensions are set correctly for the stitch you are doing, pull a bit on the threads by the tensions to make sure they are in the tensions correctly..they should grab a bit. Make sure that your lower looper thread is over your top looper....then rethread your needles. Always thread your needles last. then try again. ..and again and again..I hope this helps. Whoops, I just saw you have a Babylock..if it is an air threader then my remarks should probably be disregarded because they have a different design..but if you have an older Babylock..then maybe my remarks will help.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: dmoses
Date: 01-31-2005, 07:43 AM (3 of 6)
Whenever I have a problem with the serger, I always check the threading first. Then I try changing the needles. They maybe the wrong type for the fabric, or just old and dull. Hope this helps. :smile:
Take care,
Donna
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-31-2005, 08:11 AM (4 of 6)
That kept happening to me at first. I wasn't lowering the foot. When I put the presser foot down it works fine -- well it worked better until I shortened the stitch then it worked fine.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: CarolF
Date: 01-31-2005, 08:41 PM (5 of 6)
Thanks for all your tips. I had rethreaded the machine a half dozen times so I knew that wasn't the problem, but changing the needle helped. I don't know why, because it was a new needle to begin with but maybe it had a burr or something because as soon as I put in another needle it worked great
User: CarolF
Member since: 01-30-2005
Total posts: 2
From: paroper
Date: 01-31-2005, 11:35 PM (6 of 6)
It sounds like you are on your way then. I was going to suggest that if the machine worked well before the material was added your problem might be in the tension. My sergers have adjustments that can be made to the tensions depending upon the fabric used. Since it got better with the needle, maybe your needle wasn't inserted all the way. I think that the needle seems to go a little higher in the serger than the machines.
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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