HOW TO USE A SERGER FOR BEGINNERS
How to use a serger for beginners. A serger also called an over locker in some countries is a wonderful machine and well worth getting. She can sew; adjust the raw edges while cutting off the excess fabric. Learn how to use a serger and you won’t have to trim seams and then zigzag. Your serger will do all this for you and the end result is a very professional finish.
A serger or over lock sewing machine gives garments and other sewn items finished seams. Using one will do many things for you; the serger secures the seams with a toggle switch to cover the rough edges and trim off the excess fabric. A safety stitch is ideal for use on knit fabrics as it has built-in elasticity. The most important part of using a serger is threading the machine correctly, as it has three to five spools of thread.
A serger is basically a special sewing machine that does not have as many sewing options as a modern sewing machine. In addition, the serger uses a toggle stitch that basic sewing machines cannot create. In other words, they complement each other, but neither can replace the other. You might be surprised at how many different makes and models of sewing machines are available now. In fact, it can be overwhelming for anyone new to sewing.
HOW TO USE A SERGER FOR SEWING BEGINNERS
How to use a serger for beginners. It’s always a good idea to test ride a junkyard before starting a new outfit. You are the guide in every situation and too much pulling or pushing can disrupt the rhythm of the machine.
When you are ready to sew, place the fabric just under the presser foot. The end of the chain hangs in the back. When you start sewing, hold on to this chain so it doesn’t get caught in your fabric. Let the machine’s presser foot and plate guide the fabric through while the stitches sew and the blade cuts to create the smoothest seam.
It is important to carefully monitor your speed with the leg press. Speeding can cost you precious stitches. You will achieve the best results for beginners with ease and slowly. After some training, you’ll be whizzing around looking for clothes in no time.
As a result, serger stitches look very different from stitches produced by a regular sewing machine. In fact, this machine gives a home sewing machine a very professional looking finish. And its efficient operation also saves time as you perform many different simple sewing tasks.
This may be their primary function and why sewing machines often have both a sewing machine and a serger. However, sergers can do much more. In addition to creating professional-quality seams, you can also use the serger to:
- Sewing various types of hems including rolled hems
- A collection of fabrics with differential feeding
- Sewing knits and other elastic fabrics (to keep the material elastic)
- Elastic attachment to clothing
- Creating decorative stitches
- Fastening with zippers
HOW TO USE A SERGER FOR BEGINNERS – SEWING DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEMS
How to use a serger for beginners. It is very easy to sew the blind hems of skirts, trousers and dresses with a serger. All you need is a regular joining stitch – 3 threads 1 needle through a safety stitch. And there’s even a special blind hem foot if you want to do it even better.
- A collection of fabrics with differential feeding
Gathering fabric with a differential feed on a serger is a great way to get gathers quickly and easily. This is a technique that can be used on a variety of fabrics, from lightweight voile to medium weight cotton. Also adjust the stitch length to create the desired amount of gathering. A shorter stitch length will create more gathering, while a longer stitch will create less gathering.
If you want to take fabric by differential feed on the serger, first set the differential feed selector to the desired setting. Then place the fabric under the presser foot and make a regular 3 thread 1 needle through the safety stitch. When sewing under the presser foot, the fabric stretches and creates a gathered effect.
- Sewing knitwear and other flexible fabrics
Sewing knits and other stretchy fabrics on the serger so that the material retains its stretch is a great way to make comfortable clothes. While a regular sewing machine can be used to sew knitwear, a serger sewing machine is specifically designed for this type of sewing.
The advantages of using a serger for stretch fabrics are that the seams are tighter, the seams are less likely to burst, the stitches don’t unravel, and you can finish the project quickly. Use 4-thread 2-needle connecting stitches for sewing stretch fabrics.
- Creating decorative stitches
Modern sergers can even do decorative stitches. For example, the wave stitch is available on high-end Baby Lock sergers, which is a very nice stitch. You can use three different colors of thread and quilting cotton fabric to create this interesting design.
- Making cover and chain stitches
Cover and chain stitches are used for sewing knitwear. Cover stitch is a common stitch for knit hems and can also be used to create decorative effects. A combined machine serger with cover stitch creates an elegant, flexible hem. Here is an example. A chain stitch is made of a series of loop stitches together. Chain stitch can be used alone or in combination with other types of stitches to create more complex designs.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SERGER FOR BEGINNERS
How to use a serger for beginners. Not only budget and ease of learning, but also pay attention to these necessary factors. So in the end, the goal is to have the best serger for your needs. Here are some factors to evaluate when deciding which serger is right for you:
- Sharp Blade: Serger machines cut fabric before applying stitches. A sharp edge will help avoid frayed surfaces and frayed edges, instead creating a more desirable look.
- Thread Options: Consider choosing a serger that offers a variety of thread options. For beginners, 3 or 4 strands are an ideal choice to start with.
- Warranty: Due to the complex functionality and many moving parts of the machine, a decent warranty is essential. The most popular branded sergers include long warranties of up to 25 years, so double check when purchasing to protect your purchase.
- Stitch per minute: Sergers are much faster than regular machines and can be a challenge for beginners. Evaluate the speed of each machine that you feel comfortable with.
- Heavy Duty Frame: Make sure the serger you choose is made with a sturdy heavy duty frame. Thanks to this, the machine will vibrate less and be less noisy when sewing.
The serger is a great buy for anyone who wants to learn how to sew with professional finishes. Choose a quality serger with these options to make it easy to sew seams and hems, but also to create rolled hems with a variety of finishes.
TOP THREE SERGERS FOR BEGINNERS
Brother 1034D serger
How to use a serger for beginners. There are tons of instructional videos on YouTube that clearly explain how to thread and use this great little machine. There is also a Facebook group with over 18,000 members called “Brother 1034D Serger Tips” and a dedicated website for troubleshooting and tips on how to use your serger. This is the largest most active Brother Serger user group on the internet and covers almost all Brother Serger models. All you need to do is take the time to read the user manual first and learn some basics so you don’t break it right from the start by using it incorrectly.
Key properties
- Two needles and 3 or 4 threads
- Versatile stitch options – 4-thread over lock, 3-thread over lock, narrow hem, rolled hem and ribbon lock stitches
- Easy color-coded threading
- Differential administration of substance
- 1300 stitches per minute
- Adjustable stitch width – 3.00 mm to 7.00 mm
- Presser foot pressure adjustment wheel
- High quality metal frame
Singer 14CG754
If you are new to sewing and have always been a fan of the Singer brand, this serger is a great choice for you. Compared to the Brother 1034D, this model has a 2/3/4 thread configuration. This means that in addition to the 3/4 toggle stitch options, it can create a nice two-thread rolled hem stitch on clean, lightweight fabrics. There are plenty of you tube tutorials on the official Singer channel to help you understand how this fantastic sewing tool works. The SINGER Pro Finish 14CG754 Serger is amazing and perfect for both beginners and more experienced sewists and is conveniently available on Amazon.
Key properties
- 2-3-4 threaded connector
- Adjustable stitch length and width
- Differential feeding
- Color coded thread ensures ease of use
- The handle makes it easy to carry
- Speed 1300 stitches per minute
- 4 built-in rolled hems
Juki MO-654DE over locker Serger
This is a great heavy duty serger for beginners and many intermediate sewing techniques. The machine has a dense, compact and quality feel and cuts like a dream, even through multiple layers of thick fabric. Surprisingly, the JUKI MO654DE is also a lightweight and portable serger machine. Additionally, this machine is faster compared to the other two sergers listed above (1500 stitches per minute) and very quiet compared to most other sergers. It doesn’t shake on the table when in use and the stitch line looks great.
Key properties
- 2/3/4 Threaded coupling with automatic rolled hem
- Color-coded external adjustment of stitch length and differential feed
- Powerful knife system with a dedicated drive mechanism.
- Sewing speed: max. 1500 stitches per minute
- Sews light to heavy fabrics. Max. stitch length – 4 mm
- Differential feed – ratio 0.7 : 2.0
CONCLUSION
How to use a serger for beginners. A serger is a unique looking type of sewing machine that gives you very professional looking stitches because it combines three different tasks while sewing. Sews seams, trims seam allowances and finishes raw fabric edges. The combination of these three features will save you so much time when performing certain serger tasks. Although the two machines have some overlap in their capabilities and many people believe that they do the same job, no, they are not the same.