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From: abcameo
Date: 05-21-2006, 08:03 PM (1 of 27)
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I've ordered about 4 books on serger techniques--because I always go off the deep end when I become interested in something. The first one arrived yesterday. It's "Serger Secrets - High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes" This book is great! Full of technique examples and ideas and indepth details on how the look was achieved. Loads of info all about the different stitches, how to use different threads to achieve varied looks, etc. I'm so glad I bought this book. Does anyone else own it? Only about 1 more week till my serger gets shipped to me. I have to keep having a reality check to remind myself that I'm no expert seamstress, and owning a serger isn't going to miraculously turn me into either the female counterpart of minimalist Calvin Klein (perhaps that's Donna Karan?) or, even better, the opposite--a maximum-ist (??) which is more my nature, like the female version of John Galliano. It's just going to allow me to seam easier, better and more decoratively as I monkey around with the designs filling up my head and my ever-trusty sketchbook.  Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-21-2006, 08:59 PM (2 of 27)
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Amy -- A serger never gets near the finest clothing made by the best known designers. Sergers are what are used to make the clothes you buy at Walmart. The very finest garments by great designers are pretty much made by hand. Their fine garments are done on sewing machines -- not sergers. With practice it will make your work easier and faster -- but not better. A French seam, a flat fell seam, a bound seam are much nicer finishes in your best garment than serged seams. A serged seam is much faster and looks more like ready to wear -- not designer clothing. Look at the finishes at Walmart and the finishes at a designer's show room and you will see what I mean. That said, I enjoy my serger and the quick finishes for ordinary, everyday clothing. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-22-2006, 08:08 AM (3 of 27)
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Dorothy is right, quality clothing usually has seam finishes other than serged. T shirts are the exception I think. However, it sure comes in handy for kids clothes. My grandson doesn't mind wearing the jeans and stuff I make him as long as it looks like it came from a store.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-22-2006, 08:37 AM (4 of 27)
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Mary Kids are funny, aren't they. When she pre-teen my oldest daughter loved designing her own clothes and I would make them for her. Then, in her teens, she wanted stuff from the stores that looked like everyone else. Now she wants me to make them and had a fit when I got a serger. "Don't use that thing on my stuff," she said. My youngest daughter wore nothing but jeans and a T-shirt. Now she has to dress like a lawyer in conservative suits but it's back to jeans and T-shirts (dark blue, green, black or gray) as soon as she gets home. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-22-2006, 10:30 AM (5 of 27)
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While I agree, this is true in haute couture, I think the environment is changing in other aspects of designer lines. Fashion is speeding up productionwise, and I don't think designers can afford to pass up the serger. Anyway, I guess my point was, whether top designers use sergers or not, I'm trying to find how serging can improve and inspire my own sewing, so that my designs can end up looking more professional and how I can use it to express my own individuality as a designer. I subscribe to a bunch of fashion magazines, and I've been flipping through the pages with a new eye, trying to notice where they would use a serger for special decorative techniques, and how I can apply this to my own sewing. I've been seeing plenty of "outside" decorative seams, lace inserts which are fine done on the sewing machine, but "dressed up" with serged stitch effects, ruffles, etc--plenty of techniques I can try to achieve and also speed up with a serger. Unlike all the designers I admire, who have teams of worker bees, the only one sewing things up (and making jewelry, and knitting, and doing the artwork, and keeping up the website and business...blah blah) is me. I do want my ideas turn into reality instead of remaining a sketch and, honestly, Dorothy & Mary, I also especially want the edges of my inside seams to be fast-stitched to prevent fraying, etc. So I'm aiming for all the practical aspects as well as tossing in as much decorative as possible, spurred on by what inspires me by the pros. I especially appreciate the section on heirloom sewing--something I've never done. I have another wonderful book dedicated only to heirloom sewing (haven't had my morning coffee yet, so too tired to go dig it out and get the name), but I do recall that to sew within the eyelets of entredeux and all, you can use decorative sewing machine stitches to achieve the result. However, for some, you have to turn around and go back up the same seam to catch the other side sometimes two times, making sure you hit the stitch design at the same exact spot on the other side or else... I think having a serger will make this process (and many others) much faster and more enjoyable for me. Maybe that isn't the point of heirloom sewing--but in this frantically-paced modern age, speed sewing is an important aspect of the craft. Amy The Wear-with-All - Online Boutique http://www.thewearwithall.com |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-22-2006, 04:30 PM (6 of 27)
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Amy -- I'm not trying to discourage you from enjoying your serger. I got mine less than a year ago and once I figured it out, I really enjoy it. Like you, I bought mine -- at least in part -- for the embellishment possibilities. I find I use it more for the fast finish though. I still have the foot pedal set at slow speed. And I still do most of my sewing on a regular machine. I even machine sew seams and finish them with the serger. It is still a lot faster than other finishing techniques. I also have the book Serger Secrets and there are great ideas in there. But I would still suggest you get a really well written basic book. A serger, at least mine, can be a bit finicky and it takes a while to get them working right. There is so much that can go wrong. Will you have dealer lessons or support? That really made a difference for me. Again, I love mine, but it took awhile to get to that point. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-22-2006, 05:42 PM (7 of 27)
| I just bought my new Sew News and July Threads magazine and I love that there is a feature called Fast and Fancy Serger Finishes in Threads. There is a very nice sheer blouse with pintucks done on the serger that is featured on pg. 61. Lace trims done by serger is also featured on delecate fabric. I have many serger books but I love it when the monthly sewing mags have special articles about serging. When piecing quilts with a serger you get a perfect 1/4 seam with it overcasted. Gathering and puffing can be done on a serger for the new girly looks. Much of this is covered in different magazines and the pictures they offer really inspire me to sew. The only problem about buying many books and mags is that is money that could be spent on fabric..LOL. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-23-2006, 11:01 AM (8 of 27)
Hi, KyInne2, we meet again.  Thanks for all your wonderful advice on machine features and brands. I really appreciated it. I've got the July Threads, and I was just wondering, where do you see the actual words "Fast and Fancy Serger Finishes?" If it's a regular column, I don't see it listed as such. I subscribe, and my Contents page lists this as a Feature called "Achieve Effortless Heirloom Effects." These heirloom techniques are detailed in the books I've been buying, especially the Serger Secrets, and I think they are so lovely. I've already started Googling for sales of assorted mixed lots of ribbons and lace. I enjoyed this issue very much. I like the 2-hour Gypsy skirt--fast, easy and great way to either use up remnants and/or buy small quantities of more expensive on-sale fabrics and add them to the mix. Also, "Fix Your Patterns" enlightened me quite a bit--especially tip #3 about smoothing out seam endings. I just had this happen to me with some loungey-type elasticized pants I just made up. I ripped and rsewed several times, but the tops kept coming out totally mismatched. It was kind of gratifying to see it's not just me!! There were other good articles, and I enjoyed looking at the ruffles in "Frill Seekers." That bodice lacing is just the type of thing I love--but, of course, would only wear in my dreams. The "Most Understated Use of Ruffles," with the gathers and piping represents awesome sewing to me. I so wish I grew up with a seamstress in the house... My grandma was crocheting, not sewing anymore by the time she moved in with us. I got 2 more books in the mail last night. "The Serger Idea Book" and "ABC's of Serging." I think the Serger Secrets provides many more creative suggestions and much more detailed explanations than the Idea Book. I remember reading some people loved "The ABC's of Serging" as a basic book, but the distracting way the pages are laid out is making it difficult for me focus on what I'm reading. The material seems somewhat disjointed and disorganized to me. Still, I'm so eager and interested to read everything I can get my hands on... I'm working on a part-knitted/part-sewn (mostly serged because I can't wait to try out my new toy!) baby outfit, and I bought some really pretty embroidered ribbon that I'm thinking of using as a ruffle on the sleeve. The ribbon has flowers going in one direction and variegated embroidery thread running along one edge. This presents a problem because, I want to keep the embroidery thread showing, but to do that, I'd have to reverse the direction of the ribbon on one sleeve--and then the flowers would be going in the wrong direction. So I came up with a solution thanks to looking at all of these books and some creative thinking. My idea is to gather two of these ribbons on the unadorned side, sew or serge them to each other and attach them to the sleeve edge decoratively down the center to create a sort of butterfly-shaped ruffle. This would work attached to either sleeve in any direction. Now if only my machine would arrive. One can only begin to imagine how my high-falutin' ideas will crash on the learning curve.  Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-23-2006, 02:00 PM (9 of 27)
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Amy, If you are interested in a tiered skirt, look up at the Sew News ad at the top of the page. It is serged and put together in a neat way. You build the tiers in steps, like a Mexican pyramid then cut them at an angle for the back seam. I have both that and the Threads issue and the Sew News method looks better -- especially for someone eager to use her new serger!! I've never done gathers on my serger and thought it looked like a project to try. If you have trouble finding a copy PM me and I will give you mine. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-23-2006, 08:23 PM (10 of 27)
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Hi Amy, I bet you are really getting excited waiting for your serger to arrive. I'm sorry but I never did find your model on line. I really hope you like it. To answer your question..in the July Threads number 125 that has the 3 shirts on the front cover hanging on a line with clothes pins.."Fast and Fancy Serger Finishes" is mentioned on the cover of the mag in red print just to the left of the shirts. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-24-2006, 06:50 AM (11 of 27)
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Kylnne -- I see the "Fast and Fancy Serger Finishes" line on the cover but couldn't find it inside. What page is the story on? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-24-2006, 03:05 PM (12 of 27)
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That's what was confusing, the cover headline doesn't match the titles on the Contents page. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-24-2006, 05:20 PM (13 of 27)
| Hi again all. The Threads magazine article "Achieve Effortless Heirloom Effects" starts on page 56 and goes on for several pages. The lovely sheer yellow shirt shows the pin tucks and ruffles all done by serger, plus another sheer blue with lace inserts by serger. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-24-2006, 05:30 PM (14 of 27)
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plus another sheer blue with lace inserts by serger Is that it for fast and fancy serger finishes? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-24-2006, 06:13 PM (15 of 27)
You know what, Dorothy--by the time we're all done with conversation, I'll bet KyInne2 and I will have you converted over to doing a whole bunch of techniques on the serger you never would have considered before.  BTW, I finally settled into reading The ABC's of Serging, and I do like it afterall. Got past the way the layout is in narrow columns down each page, with sketches and handwriting, etc. (which, in my opinion, makes it a little distracting when you look at the page), but I've adjusted. the info is very step-by-step. There are excellent how-to tips, obviously learned the hard way which, if we can just remember them, will probably save all of us plenty of aggravation as we serge along. Dorothy, if you can get your hands on a copy of Serger Secrets at the library, I think you'd really enjoy lassoing some ideas for ways to sewing what seems to me to be efficiently, often finishing two steps in one. But that again, I don't even have my serger yet, so you might not want to listen to anything I've got to say.  ] My library had this book, and I liked it so much, now I bought one.Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-25-2006, 03:11 AM (16 of 27)
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Some of my serger books that I highly recommend and others might be interested in reading and possibly the library carries are: 1."The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide" by Naomi Baker/Gail Brown /Cindy Kacynski, 2."Serger Shortcuts" by Pugh-Gannon and Hastings, 3.Singers "Sewing with a Serger", 4."The Complete Serger Handbook" by Chris James, 5."ABC's of Serging" by Tammi Young/Lori Bottom, 6.Palmer/Plesch's "Sewing with Sergers", 7.Sewing with Nancy's "Serge Ahead" is more like a booklet and 8. Nancy Bednar & Anne van der Kley's "Creative Serging". 9. "Serger Secrets" I might have a few more but I gave so many away. One I did keep that was one of my first books that I have referred to often is 10. "Know Your Babylock" by Naomi Baker and Tammy Young. It has several projects that can be done easily by beginners. Creative Serging is more about deco type work and things to do with your serger after you already know your sergers main features and includes coverhem deco work. It states on the cover "Innovative Applications to Get the Most from your Serger." This is the type of book I am interested in now and I would like to find more books for the many threaded sergers like Pfaff's 10 thread. I know Pfaff has a book out now on the subject. Most of the books I gave away were good books but the pictures were just drawings etc. Todays books are so colorful and show actual pictures of stitches, threads, machines and machine parts etc. and are much more attractive and easier to read. Seeing the actual picture is so much better than a drawing. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-25-2006, 12:30 PM (17 of 27)
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Well guess what folks--I got an e-mail today from the sewing store saying the women changed her mind and decided not to sell her serger. I am so disappointed--the wind totally went out of my sails. Who knows, she probably found out there was a buyer and decided to try to sell it on E-bay for more money since there's obviously some demand for this model... The store offered me a deal on 2 new White segers, but I don't think they are as reliable and excellent as the Viking. Here's what he wrote: "The White 1934D Superlock or White 2000 ATS Superlock are excellent sergers. These are new machines and come with a new machine warranty. I have not had anyone, including previous Huskylock owners disappointed with the White Superlocks." Here I go with the massive search again. My poor sig. other just saw a person visibly deflate in front of his eyes. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-25-2006, 01:35 PM (18 of 27)
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Oh Amy, I'm so sorry. You were so excited. Good luck finding something else. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-25-2006, 05:56 PM (19 of 27)
| Well Pooh!!! Amy..maybe look at it as possibly being a blessing because this model was not best for you. Life is an attitude and attitudes are more important than circumstances I always say. I really do think a better serger is waiting for you to be it's new mistress and thrill you even more. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-25-2006, 06:15 PM (20 of 27)
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Amy -- Look at it this way -- by the time you get a serger you will have read everything written about them! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-25-2006, 11:36 PM (21 of 27)
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You two never saw a balloon deflate so fast in your lives. Still, I looked at E-bay right after I got that miserable e-mail and saw the 936 selling for $875 and still going strong. Right then and there I made up my mind to call the local shop where I had seen a used 936 a few weeks ago for a great price--but way more than I wanted to spend because I didn't need that much of a machine. I figured, if the machine is still there, maybe they'd be interested in wheeling and dealing. Well, folks, I now own a Huskylock 936--the newest, top-of-the-line model--and they agreed to $100 less than they were asking! So it came to $700 for about a $1,200 machine. WHEEE!!! It's still way more than I wanted to pay, and splurging now was probably a really bad idea, but I just felt it was worth it because after shipping and all the time I've spent researching pricing blah, blah... well, I justified it to myself sort of...and, in the end, I have to say I do think I got a phenomenal deal. The best news is, I get free lessons! My first lesson is next Saturday for 2-1/2 hours. I also asked the store owner to please show me how to thread it. He was not all that familiar with the machine since this store specializes in Pfaffs and the Evolves and Imagine Babylocks. He struggled some, pulling out the manual, and we got it wrong twice--but eventually, we figured it out, and got it going. It was a good thing because I would have had quite a time getting it right on my own. The machine comes with a video and some specialty feet--although I don't know which is which and neither did he. I'll find out when I go to the class. I'll probably find out what they are when I read the huge binder they gave me. It's cool--every page in a plastic page protector sheet, plus I've got the regular manual, and I purchased the service & repair manual for $9 on E-bay when I got home so Mark can fix it if it ever breaks. When I'm determined, there's just no stopping me..I'm like a Tsunami or an 9 Richter scale earthquake.  Also, thanks KyInne2 for the great book reviews and suggestions. I'm think I'd better shred my credit card--at least for a month or two. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 05-26-2006, 07:08 AM (22 of 27)
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Amy, I think you did the right thing. When I decided I wanted a serger I bought an inexpensive one with no lessons or support and, in my opinion a pretty poor standing behind their warranty policy. I used it a few times, broke it and was ready to toss it. I went to the Pfaff dealer -- in a wonderful quilt shop owned by four fantastic women -- where, a few years ago, I had bought my sewing machine. They got me a re-boxed beauty for a good price that was more than I wanted to spend. I am so glad I did. I, too, had to shred the credit card but it was so worth it. Enjoy. And if you have any questions Kylnne knows all about serging. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-26-2006, 02:47 PM (23 of 27)
|
I must not be feeling too guilty because I typically end up with a severe migraine that could last for days when I get a case "not-quite-buyer's-regret" (because I always love whatever it is I bought) but "I was baaad--I shouldn't have..." regret. I watched the video last night, and it was really good. I also took a digital pic of the inside of the machine threaded (the dealer cut off the spools but left the machine threaded for me. That's a little trick I learned from my sig. other. When he has to work on his truck, he takes photos of the engine, etc. so that he has an exact record of what went where. That technique has really paid off for him when he couldn't quite remember something. I discovered I'm missing the little snap-on 5th spool attachment. I have a freestanding spool holder, but I'm going to try to find the replacement part online. You know how it is when something's brand-new to you--you want everything to be intact the way it's supposed to be. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-26-2006, 05:37 PM (24 of 27)
|
Wheeee Amy, I am so happy for you. What a good deal you got. I paid $100 more for my Elna and your serger can do more. It will pay for itself in no time with all you can save in constructing your own clothes etc. I'm glad your serger came with a video. You can always refer back to it should you forget something you learned in class. I think all sergers should come with videos. I think since you finally made a decision is the reason why you didn't get a migraine. If you were still searching and thinking about which serger was best for you it could have brought one on..glad you didn't get one. For serger books besides the library you might want to check out some used books stores. Books are so much cheaper at the used stores and some sewing and serger books are rather expensive IMO. Now you can relax and enjoy your beautiful "big" new serger. LOL I have seen them and the Vikings are BIG. They have that look of quality. Lets us know how it goes...and have fun. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: bluebirdie
Date: 05-26-2006, 06:45 PM (25 of 27)
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Amy, I think you got a great deal! I was shocked to read that you lost your deal... then you got a better one. Those machines have great reputation! And free lesson and local support? You can't beat that. And I thought I was the only one who took before/after pictures of all my machines inside out... Smiling happily... What can I say? Misery loves company
- Robin
|
User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-26-2006, 09:25 PM (26 of 27)
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I think the reason I didn't get a migraine (my subconscious way of punishing myself, I guess), is because from all the endless research and pricing I did, let's face it--I got a phenomenal deal!! Hey, let's all celebrate my good luck and the start of the holiday weekend. At 7 p.m. Pacific Time, everyone please jump up and join me in a dance of joy around your computers. ;-DDD Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: abcameo
Date: 05-26-2006, 09:29 PM (27 of 27)
P.S. You guys, thanks for everything--all the super advice, the info, the fun chat, the kind sympathy when the deal went bust and the congratulations when I got it turned around again... All of you are a:  Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
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