Thread: I love my serger!

If you've been thinking about getting a serger and you sometimes work with chiffon, BUY ONE NOW!

This is my story:

It happened - we finally had a "moment" and now I'm in love. Until two nights ago, our relationship had its ups and downs. I was new to the experience of serging. The serger was difficult to thread and temperamental with its many tension dials.

I decided to edge some chiffon for a performance the next afternoon. I had never approached the serger with this fabric before, but I was feeling brave and a bit desperate. I started with a little scrap; the serger took to it with no problem whatsoever. Giddy with this newfound connection, I grabbed my three yards of light turquoise chiffon and went for it. What a beautiful edge we created together!

There's nothing fancy about my serger, but she's a keeper. ..g.:

*sob*

I love a good serger love story...

Mine's more than ten years old now, but we still make some pretty beautiful music together... if only I could do a 2-thread rolled edge, I would be so happy!

why would you want a 2 thread rolled edge? Just curious! I just got my serger this past summer and I've used it more than I ever imagined! I still haven't taken lessons....which is on my to-do list...but I keep creating skirts, scarves, pants, veils, and more! every time I get better....but I could use a lesson on the tensions. I tend to get it right eventually, but it never ends up being in the "suggested" range....which used to make me nervous....but now I just ignore it. haha.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

If you've been thinking about getting a serger and you sometimes work with chiffon, BUY ONE NOW!

This is my story:

It happened - we finally had a "moment" and now I'm in love. Until two nights ago, our relationship had its ups and downs. I was new to the experience of serging. The serger was difficult to thread and temperamental with its many tension dials.

I decided to edge some chiffon for a performance the next afternoon. I had never approached the serger with this fabric before, but I was feeling brave and a bit desperate. I started with a little scrap; the serger took to it with no problem whatsoever. Giddy with this newfound connection, I grabbed my three yards of light turquoise chiffon and went for it. What a beautiful edge we created together!

There's nothing fancy about my serger, but she's a keeper. ..g.:

What kind of thread do you use for the chiffon? I have an industrial serger and the result is too heavy for the lighter fabrics.

Originally Posted by vilia

What kind of thread do you use for the chiffon? I have an industrial serger and the result is too heavy for the lighter fabrics.

i know you weren't talking to me....but this is what I use:
Maxilock Cone Thread 3000 Yards

and it works just fine!

What's the brand name of your serger?

I have one and I have a love/hate relationship with it. When it works, it's like going to belly dance heaven, when it doesn't work, it's like going to belly dance Hell.

Azeeza

OK, novice question here: What is a serger? I've seen them mentioned so often here. How does it differ from a sewing machine? Do you use it for different purposes than a sewing machine, or can it be used to replace one completely?

I sew very little right now, but would like to do more if I had a newer machine. I have an old beater Brother sewing machine that gets quite tempermental sometimes & would like to replace it, but don't know whether I should get a new sewing machine or a serger. I don't really have the space or sew enough to justify the expense of having both.

a serger will NEVER replace a sewing machine! I'm quite a novice myself, but a serger basically finishes edges. The top of the line ones do more...but I have a simple one.
you know when you look at your dance veils/skirts and it looks like there's a rope on the edge of the material? that's a rolled hem. That is one stitch every serger does. The other one is quite similar to what you see on the edges of your tshirts (on the inside). This edging can be used to sew seams ( like in pants) so you can sew together and finish the edges all at once.
Does this help>?

I have used that thread as well. But, when I can't find the cone-thread in the right color, I use regular Coats & Clarks or Gutermann. (I love it when JoAnn or Hancock has thread 50% off since you need at least three spools!)

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

i know you weren't talking to me....but this is what I use:
Maxilock Cone Thread 3000 Yards

and it works just fine!

me too kiyanna! I have also been buying rhinestone buttons when they have the coupons! I swear by guterman....and coats & clark! that's interesting that's what you use too. I tend to use regular spools for most projects (not the huge cone shaped) unless it is a common color. I was buying huge spools for a long time...but then I realized how often I don't use ORANGE on the serger.

This is my serger. It's a very basic White model:


I, too, have had a love/hate thing going with it. I have learned to:
1. always thread it in the order the manual states
2. never try to use it if I'm in a hurry
3. always test with a scrap first

Originally Posted by Azeeza

What's the brand name of your serger?

I have one and I have a love/hate relationship with it. When it works, it's like going to belly dance heaven, when it doesn't work, it's like going to belly dance Hell.

Azeeza

Jenn explained it well. Here are some photos for visual emphasis.

Chiffon, rolled edge:


Stretch velvet, four thread regular edge (far from perfect, I'm still learning!):

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

a serger will NEVER replace a sewing machine! I'm quite a novice myself, but a serger basically finishes edges. The top of the line ones do more...but I have a simple one.
you know when you look at your dance veils/skirts and it looks like there's a rope on the edge of the material? that's a rolled hem. That is one stitch every serger does. The other one is quite similar to what you see on the edges of your tshirts (on the inside). This edging can be used to sew seams ( like in pants) so you can sew together and finish the edges all at once.
Does this help>?

I know! I'm going to have those hot pink spools FOREVER. ..g.:

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

me too kiyanna! I have also been buying rhinestone buttons when they have the coupons! I swear by guterman....and coats & clark! that's interesting that's what you use too. I tend to use regular spools for most projects (not the huge cone shaped) unless it is a common color. I was buying huge spools for a long time...but then I realized how often I don't use ORANGE on the serger.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

This is my serger. It's a very basic White model:


I, too, have had a love/hate thing going with it. I have learned to:
1. always thread it in the order the manual states
2. never try to use it if I'm in a hurry
3. always test with a scrap first

VERY good advice!

And a nice serger too!

Thanks,

Azeeza

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Jenn explained it well. Here are some photos for visual emphasis.

Chiffon, rolled edge:


Stretch velvet, four thread regular edge (far from perfect, I'm still learning!):

Wow! Those images are fantastic!

You are a pro! My serger keeps skipping in spots.

Azeeza

I've had my own machine since 1991 and didn't get a serger until last Christmas. You don't need a serger to make all kinds of dance (and non-dance) goodies, but it's nice to have it for chiffon items and stretchy seams, such as trumpet skirt seams.

I used to stitch a seam, trim it, then finish the edge with a zig-zag stitch to keep it from fraying. Now the serger can do that for me! With some things (like the trumpet skirts), I'll baste it with my regular machine and try it on to get the right fit before I finish it with the serger.

You will benefit greatly from having a regular machine that is easy to thread and is very reliable. My Singer is nothing fancy, but I've been using it regularly for close to 17 years. (I should oil it more than I do . . .)

Originally Posted by Samirah-NH

OK, novice question here: What is a serger? I've seen them mentioned so often here. How does it differ from a sewing machine? Do you use it for different purposes than a sewing machine, or can it be used to replace one completely?

I sew very little right now, but would like to do more if I had a newer machine. I have an old beater Brother sewing machine that gets quite tempermental sometimes & would like to replace it, but don't know whether I should get a new sewing machine or a serger. I don't really have the space or sew enough to justify the expense of having both.

The sewing teacher who introduced my daughter & me to serging swore by it. She made all her husband's & 2 sons knit underwear with it. I need more lessons but my daughter is happily serging & just made herself wonderful gold lame leggings.

It sounds like, for the amount & type of sewing I do, I can get by with just a regular (decent) sewing machine. I've seen some nice ones with a few bells & whistles at very reasonable prices, so I'm hoping once I find a new job & get some income coming in, I'll be able to upgrade soon.

Thanx for the descriptions & great pics.

I bet those leggings are fabulous!

I am forever thankful that my mom taught me to sew. She started me on paper (to practice sewing a straight line) when I was 6 or 7.

Originally Posted by HotDogYogini

The sewing teacher who introduced my daughter & me to serging swore by it. She made all her husband's & 2 sons knit underwear with it. I need more lessons but my daughter is happily serging & just made herself wonderful gold lame leggings.

Tigerb: I've never tried a two thread rolled hem. Have you used wooly nylon at all? Using it in the lower thread will help grab the other threads and pull them to the back. Why would you want a two threader over a three threader? Is it to reduce bulk?

I agree about the love/hate thing. What I don't understand is how it can be running like a champ then F up in the middle of a seam. That sends me right into bash mode.

So glad I'm not the only one!

Originally Posted by Andrea2

I agree about the love/hate thing. What I don't understand is how it can be running like a champ then F up in the middle of a seam. That sends me right into bash mode.

You can do a rolled hem on a serger?!?

I've been doing them (or not doing them to tell the truth) by hand.

I really need to take a serger class

hahaha... you can do one on the sewing machine too...its just a lot more difficult!

I know, I know.

Being able to finish chiffon like this makes me WANT to hem a multi-panel circle skirt.

Originally Posted by acmcgraw

You can do a rolled hem on a serger?!?

I've been doing them (or not doing them to tell the truth) by hand.

I really need to take a serger class

I want one. I also want furniture for all my sewing gizmos and machines.

Does anyone own the Koala cabinets? I'm going to buy one this year by golly. I'm saving up now.

When I was at JoAnn today (making my own curtains), the lady at the cutting counter told me that JA had singer sergers for $177 on sale before christmas, and *I missed that*!!!! I could cry, I want a serger, but can't justify spending huge bundles of cash.

Whew, I made it back to the serger thread (sew to speak).

My serger does a three-thread rolled edge. This edge looks best if you are going to solidly cover the edge of your fabric, with woolly nylon or a pretty decorative thread. However, I sometimes don't want the rolled edge to be so conspicuous. I saw a two-thread rolled edge demo'd on a different machine, and that edge can turn out subtle and airy... it might even work nicely on a veil, whereas my machine's 3-thread rolled edge is too heavy and bulky for a veil. That's why I'd like to have the 2-thread option.

A serger certainly can't REPLACE a sewing machine, but even if all you used it for was seams on stretch fabrics and very long trimmed-and-encased edges, it could save you HOURS of stitching time. Mine sure has: the curtains... the polarfleece projects... the ren faire skirts... the stretch velour stuff!

i love my serger. I only wish it did the coverhem like it's supposed to! But I love the narrow hem and rolled hem and 3 thread stretch

Originally Posted by danidance

I want one. I also want furniture for all my sewing gizmos and machines.

Does anyone own the Koala cabinets? I'm going to buy one this year by golly. I'm saving up now.

I have Koala cabinets and I ADORE THEM. They sure were expensive, but just the fact that I can flip them open and have my machines ready to go in ten minutes or less (instead of clearing a workspace, pulling the machines out of storage, finding the extension cords, yadda yadda) made them worth the sacrifice.

I bought a Sew Mate II and a couple of Treasure Chests.

I wonder if there's another time of year with good deals? I picked up mine (White) at Hancock Dec. 2006 when they had this model for $180 plus a rebate of sorts - $30 Hancock gift card.

Originally Posted by steffib

When I was at JoAnn today (making my own curtains), the lady at the cutting counter told me that JA had singer sergers for $177 on sale before christmas, and *I missed that*!!!! I could cry, I want a serger, but can't justify spending huge bundles of cash.