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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 “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: temom
Date: 02-13-2007, 10:24 AM (1 of 17)
Hi All,

I am new at serging, and have a question. I just changed my thread colors, and tried the "tying on" method - which took 3 times as long and resulted in a broken lower looper thread. So I just went ahead and threaded it manually. I'm pretty quick at it, but do have a tiny problem threading the lower looper then bringing it up under the pressure foot. I use the tweezers, but it is still awkward. So I was wondering if I could use a little needle threader. I don't think there is enough room to get it in through the back side of the eye, so the result would be the thread going through the eye back to front instead of the other way around. Will this make a difference? How about the needles?
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: paroper
Date: 02-13-2007, 11:55 AM (2 of 17)
Yes! It will absolutely make a difference and although you'll be able to thread the machine easier you can't imagine how many problems you will have...and with a serger, well, that is just a place you don't want to go. Sergers are so touchy that even threading in the wrong order makes a difference!
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: 02-13-2007, 11:57 AM (3 of 17)
I agree with Pam. To deviate from the way the instructions say to thread a serger is asking for disaster and a big repair bill.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: temom
Date: 02-13-2007, 01:44 PM (4 of 17)
Thank you Pam and Patsy. I won't try it. I'm actually pretty proud of myself being as fast as I am at threading it.
Now if only the thread was stiff so it would be easier to get it through the lower looper and up where it belongs.:bg:
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 02-13-2007, 09:32 PM (5 of 17)
I must be missing something here "bringing it up under the pressure foot", don't you just bring the thread up beside the pressure foot,lay all threads under the keeper and then sew? Enlighten me, I'm confused!:whacky:
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 242
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-14-2007, 04:46 PM (6 of 17)
Temom, there are little plastic looper threaders that can be purchased at fabric stores or places that sell sewing notions. You can also use dental floss to loop around the thread then thread through the looper eye. When I use thread like Woolly nylon I actually use just regular serger thread and loop it around the woolly then I thread them through the looper. May I ask, what brand and model serger do you have?
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: dmoses
Date: 02-14-2007, 05:15 PM (7 of 17)
If you double the end of the thread back on itself(about an inch or so), and twirl or roll it between your fingers, it makes for a sturdier 'end' so that it is easier to put through the looper.

Hope this helps.
Take care,
Donna
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964
From: paroper
Date: 02-14-2007, 05:24 PM (8 of 17)
Some of those lower loopers will change positions so that they are easier to thread. I have a couple that you pull a little lever and they swing out to be threaded.
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: temom
Date: 02-14-2007, 06:02 PM (9 of 17)
I have a Brother 1034 D. I just re-watched the instructional video on threading. After you thread each looper, the thread goes to the back of the machine (by the pressure foot). The lower looper is lower than this, so it does need to come up - I can't thread the lower looper and leave it hanging.

Anyway, About looper threaders. It seems to me, but I could certainly be wrong, that there isn't any room to insert the looper threader through the eye from behind, resulting in the thread going through the eye front to back, which woulld be the same as doing it by hand. If you insert the looper threader through the eye from the front, you would put the thread into the threader behind the eye, then pull the threader towards the front, bring the thread through . This is opposite the result of what you get when you lick that puppy and stick it through yourself. Is everyone confused now?

So does anyone use a looper threader? If so, which way to you approach the eye?
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: paroper
Date: 02-14-2007, 06:16 PM (10 of 17)
I used tweezers.
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: Tom Land
Date: 02-14-2007, 08:01 PM (11 of 17)
The looper threader is very usefull on some models but unneccesary for most and useless on others. Which serger do you have?
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: temom
Date: 02-14-2007, 08:15 PM (12 of 17)
Tom, I have a Brother 1034D. The threading isn't a big problem, it is just a little awkward on the lower looper.
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-15-2007, 07:18 PM (13 of 17)
First, remember my serger is more than 15 years old.. But ... in my little tool kit that came with it is a tool that has a flat little handle (similar to a nail file handle) attached to a long curved wire (very sturdy) and there is a little tube of plastic on the wire and the wire ends in a needle threader gizmo. (the old fragile kind of very small guage wire) The tube of plastic stays on the needle threader for protection, til you need to use it.. then you slip it back toward the handle, use the threader to thread your loopers and cover the threader up by slipping the plastic back over it, and put it back in the tool kit til next time.. Do these not come with modern sergers ?? I did not realize how lucky I am to have this tool, til I started reading this thread.. LOL:bg: :bg:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: paroper
Date: 02-15-2007, 07:23 PM (14 of 17)
Most of the companies have tried to get around the tool by making the lower looper pop out for threading or use air threading or some other feature...but I've gotta admit, I don't know how you'd thread that bugger if you didn't have the "shepherd's hook" for some of the older machines!!! When I use my 335 I break into a sweat everytime I lay that baby down and can't locate it right away!
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: mommgsews
Date: 02-16-2007, 10:37 AM (15 of 17)
When I have to re-thread my loopers I use beeswax (the stuff to help make hand sewing thread tangle less) to stiffen the end of the thread to make it easier to get it where it needs to be.

I run the beeswax over about an inch of the thread and it gives it enough body to act like a built in threader.

hth
User: mommgsews
Member since: 03-15-2004
Total posts: 73
From: temom
Date: 02-16-2007, 12:47 PM (16 of 17)
I'll have to try the beeswax. I think the notions wall is going on sale at Joanns. I'll have to check it out :smile:
Theresa
User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007
Total posts: 410
From: Tom Land
Date: 02-21-2007, 12:21 AM (17 of 17)
Most Brother sergers have a flimsy self threading apparatus for the lower looper which would make the wire useless but I really can't remember how the 1034 is set up. Sorry.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
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