How to use a Serger Machine

How to use a Serger Machine There are many serger machines in the market which are used for different purposes like sewing, stitching, embroidery and quilting. The Brother This serger sewing machine is awesome even for a first timer serger. This is easy to use serger sewing machine. Try to forget every frightening thing you’ve ever heard about it and jump in. I read the manual, removed the sample thread, re-threaded it, and was serging in 30 minutes!! Moreover, everything on this serger machine is marked by color and number. This serger is accompanied by CD manual.

What is serging?

Serging simply refers to the process of seaming or stitching the edges of a fabric to prevent it from unraveling. You might recognize this technique as overclocking. In sewing, the word serging can be used interchangeably with overclocking depending on the country in which you live. In addition to ensuring the edges of your material do not unravel, serging or overclocking. How to use a Serger Machine.

also gives your fabric a professional finish. Usually, serging is achieved with the aid of a serger or over locker. This is simply a machine whose main job is to overclock or serger the edges of your fabric. However, in the absence of a serger, you could also finish your fabric with your sewing machine using a zigzag stitch.

Point to remember before using a serger machine

These “how-to” videos are wonderful for the visual learner. You can pick up the same knowledge from the thorough instruction book(s) included, but the videos reinforce the book. Watching the video on “threading” once. I was able to thread the machine in 5 minutes. What can i say is, it is really not that hard. Other serger seeing machine brands are much more expensive. When you buy Brother Serger sewing machine, you get very good quality, and they look exactly like the other brands

If you own or use a serger, you know how important they can be in your sewing room. Knowing how to use these powerful sewing devices can make everything go much faster, smoother, and more satisfying. Few things are more important when serging than the quality of the stitch. While these machines are a bit more complicated than conventional sewing machines, they are famous for producing high quality stitches. Seaming, over-locking, and trimming with a bunch of threads at high speeds is what serging is all about. Sergers are well known for their professional edge finishes. There are many applications, but they cannot replace an ordinary sewing machine. In a good stitch, all the threads are where they are supposed to be with tensions appropriately balanced. Good stitches are void of irregularities, puckers, and loops.

Any serger that you buy will have a sewing manual included and many suppliers offer free lessons. Since a serger does not replace a sewing machine, and the two need to be used in tandem for most projects, there must be room available for both machines. Most serger take up less space than a sewing machine, but storage for the cones of thread will be slightly larger. Sergers come in all price ranges, so shopping around for a quality serger that fits your budget is important. As with sewing machines, finding a quality serger at a dealership that provides its customers with classes and extra help is of the utmost importance. My favorite brand is Baby Lock, but they can be very expensive. I have also used Berrninas and know that they serge very smoothly. Shopping around to find the serger that fits your budget and needs is time well spent.

Threads for Serger Machine

When you understand how a serger works, these become less challenging. Most basic sergers have three (3) or four (4) threads. Two (2) of these are needle threads, but for most applications only one (1) needle is necessary. The other two (2) threads go in the loopers, which wrap the threads around the edge of the fabric. The looper threads are held in place by the needle thread. This also means that to undo any serged seam, if you rip out the needle threads, just as you would in a standard seam, the looper threads will just fall away. Most sergers have tension dials that can be adjusted to balance the threads in the stitch, and for most applications, the tensions will remain the same.

So, once you get your serger threaded and the tensions set, you can serge and practice quite a bit before needing to make any changes. You may have heard that it is difficult to thread a serger. While this can be true, serger manufacturers have come a long way in making this easier, placing colored dots and arrows to follow on the machines as well as helpful color-coded charts. The top of the line Baby Locks use a special threading system that even eliminates this frustration altogether.

WHAT IS SERGERING USED FOR?

As earlier noted, a serger gives your fabric edges a professional finish. But this is not all it does. To the newbie, a serger can seem rather intimidating due to the multiple threads and knives. However, once you become more familiar with using one, you realize how indispensable it is. A serger is used for seaming, trimming, and finishing your fabric. The best part is that these functions are performed simultaneously.

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• Sewing seams

 Sewing seams with a serger will be a breeze as it lets you sew the seam, cut off the allowance, and overcast the raw edge of your material at the same time. This type of stitch can be made by all sergers and is known as the 4-thread stitch. Seams sewn with this stitch do not unravel. It’s especially useful for stretch sewing as it still lets the secure seam stretch.

• Overcasting Edges

The 3-thread overcast stitch is best used for the edge of a solo layer of fabric. The raw edge of your fabric is automatically trimmed as the edges are overcast.

• Making Flat lock Seams

These are decorative, reversible seams that lay flat and have no seam allowance. If you use different colors for the looper thread and needle thread, it adds even more color to your craft. Flatlock seams join two different fabrics.

• Creating Perfectly-Rolled Hems

A serger machine is handy for creating uniform tiny, rolled hems. Some outfits like wedding veils, napkins, and scarves would require these hems. With a serger, making them would be a snap.

• Easily Handles Stretchy Fabric

 The differential speed of a serger can be adjusted to accommodate stretchy or puckering materials. By simply adjusting the speed ratio of the front and back feed dogs, your serger can ease stretchy fabric or stretch puckering fabric.

• Gathering

 It is not commonly known that sergers can be used to gather fabric. Sewing machines can gather by sewing 2 lines of long straight stitches which can be pulled to gather. 

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Conclusion

 A serger would complement your sewing machine by adding a professional look to your craft but it cannot replace a sewing machine. Sergers are extremely efficient but they cannot perform basic sewing tasks like the sewing machine can. While a serger is always a valuable addition to your sewing, you alone can determine how necessary it is to get one. And to make that decision, you’d have to consider your budget and sewing requirements. If you sew for pleasure in the comfort of your home, a serger would not be as strictly necessary as it would be for a person who sews for business.