For my birthday, I splurged and bought myself a serger. I’ve always wanted one, but never really wanted to spend the money. They are pretty much awesome for getting a professional, store-bought finish though, so I decided it was time. Sergers sew, cut, and finish seams all in one step–it also wraps the thread around the front and the back of the fabric, which allows to to hold up much better through repeated washes. It kind of takes the human error out of sewing.
If you’ve never used one before, here are a couple of tips and a great video to get you started:
- Read the manual and watch the video {if it came with one}. I know, I know, it’s not a profound tip, but seriously, when is the last time you read the manual of something you bought from front to back? This is one of those things you really need to read the manual on. Get to know your serger. Take it to dinner and movie if you have to–just really get to know it individually.
- Thread the machine over and over. Unless you have a “self-threading” model, practice threading your machine over and over. Threading a serger can take forever at first, getting proficient at it will help you actually get to the sewing a lot faster.
- You cannot sew on pins. Because a serger sews and cuts, you will need to either learn to pin much, much higher than where you were actually sewing or sew without them.
- Go slow. This is hard at first, if you are used to zipping through something with a sewing machine, but if you get going too fast, remember a serger cuts too, so you can’t just go back and rip out the seam and start over. You have to be slow and calculated.
- Clean the lint out of the serger frequently. Keep your investment {both the serger and the fabric you’re sewing} in great shape by making sure the serger runs tip top.
- Practice on scrap fabric. Pay attention how you line up your scrap fabric, how fast you are moving, how to accurately you’re sewing. If you make a mistake with scrap fabric during the learning process, you won’t be out anything.
- Buy good quality thread. It will sew soooo much better if you just suck it up and buy the higher quality thread. No catching, no breaking–just happy, happy serging.
- Watch the blade, and not the needle as you sew. The blade is doing the most permanent damage, so guide your fabric based on that.
- If you are in the market for a serger, make sure to choose one that is easy to thread. Historically, people have dreaded getting a serger for that reason. Technology has come a long way, though, and they are much, much easier now {especially if you do a little research}. Once you have found a serger, make sure to do step #2.
- Sergers don’t backstitch, so remember to knot off your thread when you finish.
There’s been a learning curve for sure, but now that I am getting the hang of the different types of stitches, I think this serger thing is going to rock.
~Mavis
Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger with Easy Lay In Threading with Differential Feed
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Marie says
Curiosity has my interests peaked – why did you choose a Brother? Did you also check out a Babylock? What brand is your reg sewing machine? Thanks
Mavis Butterfield says
I purchased the Brother Machine because of the price and reviews and I love it!! Can’t believe I waited so long to get one. Let the projects begin! 🙂
Barbara says
I like fresh fruit or steamed veggies-so this prize would be awesome! Thanks!
Kendra says
I bought a serger off an Amazon daily deal back in September. It still hasn’t come out of the box because I haven’t had time to learn to thread it :/
Kim says
Did you check online? There might be a YouTube Video if your machine didn’t come with a video.
S2toot says
Awesome thing about the Brother Lock–it comes threaded! So you can get out the box and go. Of course you still have to learn how to thread it, but now you are motivated after seeing how amazing it finishes off a seam! I am just getting started as I received this for 2014 Xmas and have been intimidated for a couple months, but so far so good.
Taryn (forkandneedle) says
I have a twenty year old bernina so threading it is a pain – but my tip is to always thread the needle thread(s) LAST! For some reasons it works that way, but not if I do the opposite. Buy yourself a stretch twin needle for your standard machine and together you can do a ‘mock’ coverstitch. Have fun – they’re great!
Practical Parsimony says
I have used sergers since 1982. I have owned a commercial serger for 31 years and a home serger for about 27 years. I took a college class to learn how to use the commercial serger. As you well know, running material through the machine is NOT sewing. So, you have good advice.
#2–you can pull the thread through instead of rethreading. Cut the thread at the spool on the machine. Tie on the thread color you want to change to. Pull gently on the needle thread for that spool. BEFORE you yank it through the needle, cut the knot you tied for the new spool and then thread the new spool. That eliminates the annoying threading under the machine. However, learning perfectly how to thread the machine is good advice. Another threading tip–always keep the book handy for when the thread breaks…lol.
#10–sergers don’t do a regular backstitch, but can eliminate hand tying. As you come to the end of your seam, flip the piece of garment, and without cutting thread off or serging it off, sew back down the seam for about 1/2 inch. For the start of the seam, turn the fabric around, hold the loose starting tail, and serge it back to the seam. That is the way it is done in sewing factories with commercial sergers. I was taught by a teacher who was a longtime factory employee. Even the guy who sold me the home serger said that was the way it was done with home sergers.
By the way, I bought the home serger only for making rolled hems on napkins and other items. I used it to finish edges of ruffles. Then, I sewed lace on the pieces to be ruffled. They were on doll dresses that I sold at craft shows.
I just know you will love your serger.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the tips! 🙂 I know I’m going to get into trouble with this thing {look out fabric stores!}. 🙂
Rahere says
You can also hand-sew a “tail” back through the stitching. Thread it onto a darning needle, and use that to sew back through the stitching on the wrong side for half an inch or so, then pull the remaining tail through and cut it off flush.
janet says
Happy birthday! What a great gift, even if you bought it yourself!
Thanks mavis, you’re the best!! I really appreciate your blog!
Mavis Butterfield says
Aww Thanks Janet. 🙂
Jenna Umbehocker says
You could take photos and or videos as you thread your own machine to remind yourself of the steps too. I have never used a serger, but I have seen how my grandmother’s is threaded. Looks a lot like rocket science only with razor blades and needles. I do make my kids costumes every year, but even my regular ole sewing machine likes to give me attitude.
Jill Frank says
I LOVE my serger. I have used 3 different low end brands. All about the same, just small differences in the threading. Some are easier than others. I would love to be able to afford a high end machine that automatically threads and does a cover stitch, but that is not likely going to happen. I still use mine a bit. It is WONDERFUL for sewing with fleece. Makes the seems nice and compact. I use my serger with most of the clothes I make – especially flannel jammie pants.
Sue says
Jill, do you sew a regular seam, then serge the edges or is serger only enough? I do 100s of pjs for needy kids. Thanks
Linda Hayes says
I usually surge all pieces of my patterns before I start to sew. This means that I have to mark all tabs, dots and darts with a fabric fade away pen or chalk first, as the cutter will cut away those tabs. It makes for a nicer end product. (Also do the light weight iron on fabric facing to those facing pieces first.) Another hint when doing this I cut the next size up to have room for the surging, it is easier to take something in and make it smaller than try and let it out if it is to tight.
Julie Ann says
This is the exact serger I bought two years ago. I do love it, but I have yet to really feel confident with it. I mainly use it for finishing the edges of reusable pads and making my own ‘cheesecloth’ from muslin. I’ve finished a large number of seams on sewing projects…but I haven’t gotten the hang of “backstitching” the start/finish and this is causing me issues!
T. Anderson says
This the serger my son just got me I can’t wait to play Thanks for the Tips… : )