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From: mabird
Date: 05-28-2007, 04:44 PM (1 of 8)
 I read the machine instructions, looked all over the web, and through this site and didn't see the answer to this so either I didn't know what to ask or it simply isn't possible! Can you sew on a serger without the one looper coming from under the fabric to over the top of the fabric and then, if so, how?? What I want to is make something like a sleeve cuff on the serger but I can't figure out how to get the one looper to go away! Or at least quite working. Even if I pull the thread out it still wants to get involved and then makes a wad of fabric at each stitch. I would like to be able to make the cuff like an inch in or so. I have a new Singer Serger and everything else went beautifully except that. I'm thinking that this really isn't possible and I will have just have both the normal sewing machine out as well as my serger. But that will be a drag! And, of course, I really need to have this project wrapped up by tomorrow morning! It is my daughters next competition ice skating dress. I have made all of her dresses except the very first little thing she was and that we bought from Walmart! Competition dresses run between $100.00 and $300.00 for her level so I learned to make them on my flat machine and this year got a serger for Christmas! It is so wonderful!! Took my less than half the time and far less than half the aggravation on the serger -- well except for this cuff thing! Thanks for any help you can give! I learned a lot from the other posts that I read so I know I am in the right stop. Lisa |
User: mabird
Member since: 05-28-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: dmoses
Date: 05-28-2007, 05:08 PM (2 of 8)
|
Hi Lisa, If I understand you correctly, you want to achieve a stitch where there is stitching on right and wrong sides of the fabric, but not over the edge...is that correct? Which model serger do you have? Unless it explicitly has a chainstitch, or coverstitch capability, then I don't think you can get the effect you want with your serger. If you fold the hem to the inside, and then fold the whole thing back to the outside, and serge around the raw edge and the second fold, you can then turn the hem section back down over the serged section to create a cuff of sorts. It's difficult to explain, but you can refold and press the hem section to look like a cuff. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-28-2007, 05:58 PM (3 of 8)
|
Do you mean a flatlock stitch? Besides the coverhem and chain stitch that can be done in the body of the fabric a flatlock stitch can be done on the fold of the fabric and not just on the edges. You can use either 2 or 3 threads for a flatlock. Let the serged thread loops fall over the right side edge of the fold as you serge, it will look loopy but when the fabric is removed from the machine you can then pull the fabric from side to side to have the stitches lay flat. You might find an easier explanation than mine by googling "flatlocking on a serger." |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: mabird
Date: 05-28-2007, 09:53 PM (4 of 8)
|
Thank you so much! Looking up "flatlock" got so much better results! Below is a site that I found that did a great job of explaining flatlock: http://www.purrfection.com/projects/fakeflatlock.htm And then this gave me an idea of at least how I can cheat and make it look the way I want. However, most things I read all said to 'finish off' with a conventional machine. Lisa |
User: mabird
Member since: 05-28-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: dmoses
Date: 05-29-2007, 11:14 AM (5 of 8)
|
Hi Lisa, I'm glad that you were able to find a way to accomplish the effect you wanted.  Now, I'm thinking about trying out some techniques with my serger.I've been angry with my serger lately, and we haven't talked in a while...maybe I should open up communications again!  Regarding the serger/sewing machine uses, there are a lot of things that can be done completely on the serger, but, more often than not, a serger is a complement to the sewing machine. I am one of those people who doesn't really trust the serged seam,  especially if it will receive any kind of stress...I almost always reinforce with a sewing machine stitch.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
|
From: Kylnne2
Date: 05-30-2007, 04:41 AM (6 of 8)
| Donna, I feel that way about a chainstitch. Chainstitches are used for basting and can come apart very easily. They are also used for deco stitching and are part of the 5 thread safety stitch. I prefer my sergers 4 thread safety stitch though. I think serged seams are very strong and stronger than just a machine sewn seam, especially when trying to pick them out to undo them you can sort of tell how strong they are. The woven threads of the loopers and the stitched needle threads combined make for a strong seam done by a serger. The serged seams though having much reinforcement also have lots of give. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: kmccrea
Date: 06-08-2007, 11:21 PM (7 of 8)
|
Even with my new serger/coverstitch machine I have to do some things on the regular machine, like waistbands, collars and cuffs. Facings are a snap on the serger and I love that! Construction is also much easier on either of my sergers (no, did not give up the old one) and fast! But, the sergers cannot do everything. Just like the regular machine cannot do the nice finishes and coverstitched hems and facings. So, the old gal is used regularly. Especially for the detail work like zippers, other closures, pleats and those things I mentioned above including basting. I only baste by hand when I have to!
Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
|
From: blackie
Date: 06-10-2007, 09:27 PM (8 of 8)
|
Hi Lisa, If I understand you correctly, you want to achieve a stitch where there is stitching on right and wrong sides of the fabric, but not over the edge...is that correct? Which model serger do you have? Unless it explicitly has a chainstitch, or coverstitch capability, then I don't think you can get the effect you want with your serger. If you fold the hem to the inside, and then fold the whole thing back to the outside, and serge around the raw edge and the second fold, you can then turn the hem section back down over the serged section to create a cuff of sorts. It's difficult to explain, but you can refold and press the hem section to look like a cuff. Your response and explanations were excellent. I wish I'd read it long ago b/c not everyone explains different capabilities (specifically coverstitch and chainstitch) when they talk about sergers. see the mundane life of a housewife.
|
User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
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