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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
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From: barnsey
Date: 01-06-2006, 04:23 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi to all, I am wondering if anyone can assist me in the best way to learn how to use and sew with a serger? My husband bought me one for Christmas, it is a Singer 3 or 4 thread machine and it seems so scary to me. I have been told they are wonderful. We live in a very remote area where it appears no one gives sewing classes of any kind. I learn best with hands on experience, so I am at a loss. I appreciate any ideas. Thanks |
User: barnsey
Member since: 01-06-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-06-2006, 05:56 PM (2 of 9)
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Hi Barnsey, I can't give you any advice about sergers, but Donna posted a link to an article that gives the basics for Sergers. Here's a link to her post. http://sew-whats-new.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17795 Good luck TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 01-06-2006, 11:34 PM (3 of 9)
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Barnsey, the store that sold the machine will almost surely have classes,ussually free.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-07-2006, 05:28 PM (4 of 9)
Barnsey, hi and welcome to Sew Whats New.  The link that Donna gave is very informative. Please come back and ask questions any time, that's what we are here for. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 01-08-2006, 12:43 AM (5 of 9)
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Do you know any one around you who may have a serger? They may be able to give you some help. OH and there's a really good book that I got that someone here advised, its really basic and has great information, but now I can't think of the name of it.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-08-2006, 12:50 AM (6 of 9)
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Found it. Its the Complete Serger Handbook by Chris James. It is an excellent book. Oh and Welcome! Sergers aren't that scary, they are great once you get using it.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: barnsey
Date: 01-08-2006, 10:00 AM (7 of 9)
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Thank you to all of you who have responded to me. Tom, unfortunately the store who sold the machine does not give lessons, nor does anyone else i can find so far in our little corner of Tennessee. I will try finding the book bridesmom recommended and check out that site. Thanks once again. Any advice on how to just set down and teach myself? I keep searching for online classes, no luck so far. Anyhow, thanks lots and lots. barnsey 
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User: barnsey
Member since: 01-06-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: dmoses
Date: 01-08-2006, 12:19 PM (8 of 9)
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Hi barnsey, I think the first thing you need to do is read through your manual a couple of times to learn the different parts of the serger. If there was a video included with your machine, you should watch it a few times also. Then you need to learn how to thread your machine. I would start with the regular 4-thread stitch. Use a different colour thread in each position so you can see how the threads interact with each other. Follow the instructions in your manual, and practice threading your machine. When testing your stitch, start slowly(turn the handwheel) to make sure everything is set up properly. When you are comfortable with the threading and set-up, you will be well on your way to enjoying your serger. Don't do what I did! I felt so intimidated, I waited almost three years before taking my serger out of the box! That's a lot of wasted time! 
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 01-08-2006, 09:12 PM (9 of 9)
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barnsey, dmoses is right, sergers are not that scary. My first serger was a Singer 5 thread. The first thing I did was to unthread it, then I sat down in front of it with my manual, familiarized myself with all the parts of the machine and with a thread chart (from the manual and the front of the serger) I learned to thread and rethread, take the needles in and out, change the tensions for the different stitches, etc. I also sat and watched the video several times before I actually tried using it on anything other than test fabric. Take your time, learn your machine and what it is capable of doing and in no time at all you'll be wondering how you ever sewed without one. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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