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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: njknight
Date: 05-04-2005, 02:23 PM (1 of 13)
I was wondering when you serge around a napkin do you serge straight off the edge on all four sides? then clip and seal the threads?  Nancy Nancyjean
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User: njknight
Member since: 09-28-2003 Total posts: 25 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-04-2005, 09:47 PM (2 of 13)
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Nancy, That is the way I do it but what I do is I pull the end of the last tail hanging back throught what I just sewn over with a cruel needle. That way it won't come unraveled. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: westbrook
Date: 05-05-2005, 10:43 AM (3 of 13)
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I serge off of the napkin one stitch. with needle down, raise presser foot to release tension...pull thread down to loosen it from the needle tension turn napkin pull needle thread up to tighten it and drop presser foot surge to next corner one stitch off... repeat all three sides. you will then need to use fray block or similar to seal the 1 tail on the last corner. brook |
User: westbrook
Member since: 12-13-2004 Total posts: 35 |
From: njknight
Date: 05-05-2005, 09:05 PM (4 of 13)
Thank you both for your answers I will try that on Saturday when I can get back to my sewing and see how that works. I want to have them for Friday when I am having company for a brunch. Thanks again. 
Nancyjean
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User: njknight
Member since: 09-28-2003 Total posts: 25
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From: Laurieb2851
Date: 05-08-2005, 08:24 AM (5 of 13)
| Nancy, you're doing better then I am. I bought a new serger almost a year ago now and haven't even tried threading it yet! Yikes! I have never seen so many areas to thread before! Just haven't had time to sit down and fool with it, but I've got to do that soon. Don't understand it because I've wanted one for so long. |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: njknight
Date: 05-09-2005, 07:51 PM (6 of 13)
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Laurie, I think that they can intimadate you as they did me. I am going back to MI for the summer and am hoping to use it a lot more. I want to make warm up outfits for my grand children so here is hoping the I don't hesitate again. I put new thread in mine and followed the previouse thread by tying it to the old threat but now one of the upper threads has come off and I have to follow the instructions and do it myself. Will have to study it long and hard before I start. 
Nancyjean
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User: njknight
Member since: 09-28-2003 Total posts: 25
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From: westbrook
Date: 05-10-2005, 02:37 AM (7 of 13)
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get your camera out and take lots of pictures of your machine threaded. Learn to thread your machine... over and over, using matching thread to the tension color. I don't mean to tie on and pull through either! I mean thread from scratch! this way if a thread ever breaks you will know how to thread your machine. I recommend you make a copy of your manual as it will get quite a work out. brook |
User: westbrook
Member since: 12-13-2004 Total posts: 35 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:54 AM (8 of 13)
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When I was threading a cheaper White machine it almost had me in tears. With my new Pfaff it is so easy -- once I figured out you have to do it under the handle to get the threads in the tension disks. I still say, there is a basic design flaw in any machine you need tweezers to thread and I still need them to pull the thread through the needle. I have been serging away and having a great time. So far I have been just finishing edges but my daughter wants a skirt with a decorative cover stitch on it and I have a shirt I might put a chain stitch on for top stitching. I love this thing! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: njknight
Date: 05-10-2005, 01:20 PM (9 of 13)
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Thanks for the info on threading the machine. I also think that it is important so will put that at the top of my list. I am really getting excited to start doing more with the machine. Thanks to everyone.
Nancyjean
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User: njknight
Member since: 09-28-2003 Total posts: 25
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From: hopalongdonna
Date: 05-10-2005, 02:09 PM (10 of 13)
I took a serger class, and the first thing the teacher does is pull out all our threads!! Then she said to follow the colour picture on the machine. She comes around and checks all the machines, then pulls all the thread out again!! Does this three times the first class. them does it at the start of every class. By the end of the 10 lessons you know how to thread the machine and have made a pair of jogging pants!!. Hopalongdonna 
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User: hopalongdonna
Member since: 01-03-2005 Total posts: 24 |
From: westbrook
Date: 05-10-2005, 03:23 PM (11 of 13)
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yep... no tying on and pulling threads through in my class either! only I make you unthread your own machine!!! ya gotta learn to thread it from scratch. There is a certain amount of time it is going to take to learn to use a new piece of equipment. Rather then use tweezers to pull thread through the loopers, use: G.U.M. or Butler Dental Floss Threaders. comes 25 to a package, looks like a little plactic noose. Stick the tail through the looper then thread through the loop, now use tweezers to pull tail through. These can also be used to thread the chain (tail) back up through the sergerd edge to finish a seam. This way you don't have to use fray block or fray check or ??? to keep the chain from unravaing and you won't need to buy expensive tools. brook |
User: westbrook
Member since: 12-13-2004 Total posts: 35 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-10-2005, 03:54 PM (12 of 13)
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I only use the tweezers to pull the thread through the needles once it is in there. I can't reach back there with my fat fingers. My machine came with a little needle threader that pokes the thread through the hole. It would work on the sewing machine too, but I can thread a needle without it. I love my serger. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-11-2005, 08:03 AM (13 of 13)
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Westbrook, that is excellent advice. Thanks so much.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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