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From: bluebirdie
Date: 04-04-2006, 08:52 PM (1 of 9)
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Hi! I'm one week old to serging and have already run into a few problems that I simply couldn't figure out. I read the book, surf the web, and am still at a loss. Q. Flatlocking: how to secure the end of threads? I tried turnning over (oh no no on flatlocking). Tying a knot with seam sealant before opening yields a too-tight end (doesn't open flat). Tying a knot without seam sealant before opening yields a lose end (the end comes apart when opened). Sorry I guess I'm not very good at explaining this. But the middle part of flatlocking is all smooth and pretty. Just the ends are the problem. Can someone help? Thanks! - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: esrun3
Date: 04-04-2006, 10:22 PM (2 of 9)
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can you thread your tail onto a darning needle and run through the stitches on the wrong side? That's what I do with my regular serged seams but I don't have a flatlock so dont' know if you can do that or not.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-05-2006, 10:13 AM (3 of 9)
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What happens if you just use the sealant and cut it off? I usually let the ends seal themselves with the next seam and then just leave a tail when doing regular serging, but I don't often flat lock. If I have a problem with regular serging then I either open the end and tie a knot, reverse the chain through the back thead or secure with a dollip of sealant.
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 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-05-2006, 11:02 AM (4 of 9)
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I was thinking a knot. The ends won't be visible, will they? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: bluebirdie
Date: 04-05-2006, 06:32 PM (5 of 9)
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Thanks so much for responding. Being so new at this, could it be I used the wrong term when I said flatlocking? Sorry! Long story short: I tried to use flatlocking to join wide waist elastic to avoid bulk. In order to get a flat opening, I turned the needle threads lose and serge twice as wide (let threads hung lose at the edge). That way when I open two sides up, they (were supposed to) bud against each other and lie very flat. Most came out nicely but two came lose at the end. I checked tension (or lack of), they're fine since the middle part are all flat and snug. Lyn, I tried to run the thread end to the other side with a needle. It looked nice. But when I open up the two sides and pull them flat, the end would just come lose. Pam, I tried reversing the chain (so that's how it's called), then I could no longer open up the two sides flat. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong here coz this is a logical solution. Dorothy, you're right. A knot won't be visible. But again I must be doing something wrong with the knot. Even with the knot, the end still come lose when I pull the two sides. When I knot, should I straighten out all loops or just knot it as a chain? I know this is a very basic question so I'm embarrassed... blush! - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-05-2006, 06:50 PM (6 of 9)
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Well, I'd say -- and I'm just guessing here -- but if you are having trouble with the chain unraveling when you pull it apart you might just tie a knot in the chain. Or could you flatten it out with long chains hanging then fold them over the end of the seam and tack them down with your sewing machine? Back and forth a few times just 1/4 inch or so in with a matching thread might do the trick. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: dmoses
Date: 04-06-2006, 08:54 AM (7 of 9)
I found this advice in Serger Secrets (a very nice book, by the way).  Tighten the needle tension(perhaps by a .5 increment). Start and end with a 3-inch thread tail. Hold the fabric taut as you sew. Tie a knot in both tails before you open your seam. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 04-06-2006, 11:34 AM (8 of 9)
I read why you are trying this, and I think a better solution for you is this: Take a piece of fabric (a scrap double the width of the elastic, and about 3 inches long)... Butt the elastic ends, and wrap the fabric scrap around it, top and bottom. Now, sew, holding the elastic very carefully til you get it sewn together, then sew back and forth, side to side, or around and around.. This is the only way I ever join my elastic, because if I sew over just elastic, it separates or meets off center, or some junky way.. I saw someone on TV attach a piece of grosgrain ribbon to sew ends together, and I tried just ordinary scraps and it works fine.. I never have the problem any more.. Try it, you'll like it ! ! 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: bluebirdie
Date: 04-06-2006, 01:48 PM (9 of 9)
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Hi! Dorothy/Donna, I see I need to pratice more on the knotting. But I like the idea of using sewing machine to finalize the chain. This way I still keep the nice flatlock. Libby I read your reply and went to survey our store-bought boxers. A few of them did exactly as you said. It's a nice finish and flat. I will do that on my next boxer (I make at least a new one each month for one of the family). I have the next challenge coming up for you gals. Let me try to solve it first and post it when I can't. Being a beginner, I learn from any and all answer like a sponge. So good to know you guys(gals) are there to help. Thanks again for all the response! - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
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