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From: blackie
Date: 06-04-2006, 02:06 PM (1 of 9)
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Hello! I am a total beginner when it comes to serging - I have only done the four-thread, a three-thread rolled hem, and am now trying flatlock as a way to seam finish. So far I've only done projects with cotton wovens (no knits yet). So, I finished making my kids some PJs yesterday and I noticed I can't get my two-thread flatlock to look tight. It also tries to "roll" the S.A. down sometimes (and yes, I had the 'standard' serge plate on). I was serging with the knife engaged, FWIW. I changed the knife position and I sort of "pushed" the fabric up against the needle / looper and that seemed to improve the tightness, somewhat (there were no loops extending out past the edge of the S.A. but the rolling sort of came and went. Any ideas at what I'm doing wrong? I adjusted the needle and looper tensions quite a bit, according to the manual, but couldn't get a consistent improvement. I did read some other threads here, but mostly my eyes were spinning with all the detail that I didn't understand! So speak in short "serger dummy" sentences with me, please. 
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 06-04-2006, 08:57 PM (2 of 9)
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I am not a serger expert, I am just getting to know my machine after 15 or so years but have been doing a lot of flatlock stitching by coincidence! I have a 3/4 thread serger and have to use 3 threads to flatlock. I found that the right needle gives me a flatter stitch than the left one. My tensions go zero to 9. I have to loosen the needle tension all the way to zero, the lower looper (far right tension) tighten all the way to 9. The upper looper I leave at the same tension it is always at (3ish for me). I just flatlocked a bunch of quilt batting for a lap size quilt I'm making this morning and it worked wonderfully. I did a whole bunch of samples on cotton all week trying to flatlock seams and hems (for which I will definitely have to buy a blind hem foot for my serger). I hope that helps you. Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: bluebirdie
Date: 06-05-2006, 08:14 PM (3 of 9)
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I'm also new at serging and have not tried a 2-thread flatlock yet. However, I did use 3-thread flatlock with great success on different fabrics (not as successful on flatlocking elastics). Have you tried 3-thread flatlock and see if that works better? If your application requires 2-thread, then I have no clue. Sorry :-(
- Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: blackie
Date: 06-05-2006, 09:49 PM (4 of 9)
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I can try the three-thread and see how it looks. Thanks for the tip! Part of what bugs me is I'm not sure if what I end up with is the best I can do, or what. I hired a seamstress to work on it with me for an hour but we didn't make much headway (lots of fiddling with tensions). Oh well. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-05-2006, 11:37 PM (5 of 9)
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A couple of things. Not all machines do a 2 thread rolled hem. I have two sergers that do and one very expensive older serger that does not..but it does some other cool things. Some of the ones that do have an adaptor that goes in the upper looper. Then you use the lower looper and the right thread. Depending upon your machine you may also have a little "fork" that slides back and forth. It determines the width of your stitch. If you watch as you pull/push the lever you'll see the "fork" move down below the needle. I think some machines set this with the cutting width while others allow you to set it. That way you can set your thread to make the fabric roll. 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: blackie
Date: 06-06-2006, 02:40 AM (6 of 9)
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Pam, I am actually trying to NOT let my flatlock roll. I have a good three-thread rolled hem function I enjoy. I am just trying to finish raw edges with my two-thread flatlock, and it is sometimes semi-rolling the fabric. However, your input was helpful - I have found messing with the knife helped a bit.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 06-06-2006, 03:57 AM (7 of 9)
| I might be misunderstanding what your flatlock is doing or what you might want it to do. A flatlock is not like the 2 thread overedge stitch. A flatlock is mostly used for joining fabric, piecing and weaving or a decorative accent on top of fabrics and construction of knitwear and hemming of undergarments. You will "want" the edges to loop off the right side of the doubled fabric then when you remove the fabric you open out the doubled fabric or fabrics and then pull the stitches to lie flat. The loops that were falling off the right side when pulled taught should lay flat. On the reverse side of the fabric you should have a ladder look stitch. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-06-2006, 10:17 AM (8 of 9)
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I guess that is what my problem is too. I don't believe that I've ever seen anyone use a 2 thread as a flat lock...only a rolled hem on fine fabrics, veils, chiffon, etc. In my mind I don't see it covering enough edge to be as pretty as a three thread flat lock. I hope that you get the result you are looking for. I would truly like to see the end result.
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: plrlegal
Date: 06-06-2006, 02:18 PM (9 of 9)
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I'm with Klynne I don't think I've ever seen flatlocking used as an edge finish for seams. At least that not what the video that came with both of my sergers shows. Of course, anything is possible, I guess. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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