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Posted by OldKnitter on January 2, 2007, 12:44 pm
I'm about ready to give up. It didn't make me feel any better when I
posted on another forum and got in touch with a couple of other people
who use sergers. They haven't been able to master this either!
In theory, after reading the instructions on how to turn an outside
corner, there shouldn't BE a tail to pull on once you begin to stitch
down the other side. :(
My comfort comes in knowing that I was able to do this successfully on
chiffon, so it has to be a combination of the heavier fabric, heavier
thread, and an inexperienced user. At least the little project I'm
currently working has a regular machine hem as an option, so that will
have to do. I've wasted more time, thread, and fabric scraps than this
warrants by now.
It's probably time to shift my attention to something simple, like
rebuilding my computer - something I understand!!! :)
Thanks for your help. The next time I go into town to the fabric store
I'll try to trick somebody into giving me a demonstration. Maybe if I
can actually watch somebody doing it, I'll spot the point at which I'm
doing something wrong. Or not. Ho hum.
Kate XXXXXX wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> OldKnitter wrote:
> > Light back tension on the thread while starting doesn't give me enough
> > improvement. It's better, but there's not enough improvement to be
> > acceptable. I haven't tried doing it "backwards", but that might work.
> > Of course I'd still run into trouble by the time I got to the fourth
> > side. Hmmm, it looks like I'll have to master this eventually, huh?
> Pull that tail a little harder... So long as you pull straight back,
> you won't do any harm. I'll experiment later and see what else I can
> come up with...
> > This is a new Brother 1034D. I got it on sale for much less than I
> > thought I'd have to pay for a serger, so it's my starter machine. It
> > seems to run properly; the only problems I've had so far have been
> > traced back to good old user error.
> I love mine! :) It's my 'second string' machine, bought as a back-up
> for the Bernina workhorse, and for the free arm feature.
> > I'd never heard of a Toyota serger until I found this site. I DRIVE a
> > Toyota, but I didn't know I could sew with one, too. :)
> It's a massive corportsation with fingers in many pies!
> --
> Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
> Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
> http://www.katedicey.co.uk
> Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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Posted by Juno on January 2, 2007, 3:17 pm
OldKnitter wrote:
Don't give up! It takes time to learn how to use a serger. It's an
entirely different animal than a sewing machine. It's sort of like
saying just because I can play the piano doesn't mean I can pick up a
harp and play as well.
. I've wasted more time, thread, and fabric scraps than this
You really haven't wasted time. You tried and didn't get it, yet. I
really must emphasis yet. It will come. You may need a couple of lessons
but it will come.
show/hide quoted text
>
> It's probably time to shift my attention to something simple, like
> rebuilding my computer - something I understand!!! :)
It probably is time to take a break. Again, you'll get it.
Juno
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Posted by S on January 2, 2007, 8:06 pm
I'm certainly no expert with a serger, but here are the instructions I
got when I took a class in basic serger techniques (not one of the
classes offered when you buy one--an actual go for several hours a
week for eight weeks class). I don't know if they'll help you or
not....
1: Clip off 1/8th inch of corner
2: Clear stitch finger of thread
3: Start serging on material midway between corners
4: Serge up to 1/8th inch from end (corner) of material
(I mark my fabric at 1/8th inch, as it's always closer to the
corner than I expect!)
5: Leave needle up
6: Loosen needle thread a little bit
7: Presser foot up
8: Clear stitch finger (pulling material a bit back)
9: Then pivot the fabric
10: Presser foot down
11: Lower needle back in same stitch (may need to move material a
little)
12: Hand wheel forward s-l-o-w-l-y, watching the lower looper thread
slide off the upper looper (it you're very quiet, you'll hear it come
off). Stop immediately!
13: Tighten both upper looper and lower looper thread by pulling
thread above the tension disk.
(You may not need to tighten the upper looper thread for a rolled
hem, I can't remember.)
14: Tighten needle thread from above the needle by first loosening,
then by tightening from above the tension disc. Don't pull too hard
or the thread will snap.
15: Serge each corner until you meet with the first stitches. Overlap
carefully by one inch. Loosen needle thread. Clear the stitch finger
and finish.
I don't think I've done this since the class, so I'm a little fuzzy on
the details, but it did work on quilting cotton after a little
practice.
Sue
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Posted by OldKnitter on January 12, 2007, 11:15 am
Thanks to both you and Juno for the additional posts. I did finally
give up and go back to the sewing machine for the project I was working
on, since I was running low on time, serger thread, and patience! I'm
going to print these instructions and have another go at it in a few
days. I can certainly see the advantage to starting midway between
corners, although, interestingly, I see these instructions assume the
stitch finger is in place. The instructions I'd been following, which
came with the serger, said to remove the stitch finger for a rolled
hem. Hmmmm. That's an interesting variation and could, I suppose,
account for why I wasn't able to master this.
I would like clarification of step 1, though, please. The way I'm
reading it, I clip off 1/8th inch of the corner diagonally, right? I'd
read another set of instructions that said to clip off about one inch
of the seam allowance, although that sure didn't work for me.
Assuming I get the attention of somebody again, do any of you have an
favorite brands of serger thread? I see that JoAnn has all of their
thread for 50% off over the holiday weekend, and I also saw a Hancock
flyer advertising 3,000 yard cones of Maxi-Lock for $1.77. Is
Maxi-Lock decent? I recently had a bad experience with cheap Talon
thread in my sewing machine, and I don't want to repeat that fiasco!
Thanks for sticking with this, and I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner
to respond; I went on to a couple of other projects, and I even used
the serger - just not for a rolled hem!
S wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> I'm certainly no expert with a serger, but here are the instructions I
> got when I took a class in basic serger techniques (not one of the
> classes offered when you buy one--an actual go for several hours a
> week for eight weeks class). I don't know if they'll help you or
> not....
> 1: Clip off 1/8th inch of corner
> 2: Clear stitch finger of thread
> 3: Start serging on material midway between corners
> 4: Serge up to 1/8th inch from end (corner) of material
> (I mark my fabric at 1/8th inch, as it's always closer to the
> corner than I expect!)
> 5: Leave needle up
> 6: Loosen needle thread a little bit
> 7: Presser foot up
> 8: Clear stitch finger (pulling material a bit back)
> 9: Then pivot the fabric
> 10: Presser foot down
> 11: Lower needle back in same stitch (may need to move material a
> little)
> 12: Hand wheel forward s-l-o-w-l-y, watching the lower looper thread
> slide off the upper looper (it you're very quiet, you'll hear it come
> off). Stop immediately!
> 13: Tighten both upper looper and lower looper thread by pulling
> thread above the tension disk.
> (You may not need to tighten the upper looper thread for a rolled
> hem, I can't remember.)
> 14: Tighten needle thread from above the needle by first loosening,
> then by tightening from above the tension disc. Don't pull too hard
> or the thread will snap.
> 15: Serge each corner until you meet with the first stitches. Overlap
> carefully by one inch. Loosen needle thread. Clear the stitch finger
> and finish.
> I don't think I've done this since the class, so I'm a little fuzzy on
> the details, but it did work on quilting cotton after a little
> practice.
>
> Sue
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Posted by CypSew on January 12, 2007, 11:46 pm
Maxi-Lock is the only thread I've ever used in the 3 sergers I've owned. I
usually buy it from Atlantic Threads? 9correct name & address escapes my
senior brain at the moment.
Emily
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> > Light back tension on the thread while starting doesn't give me enough
> > improvement. It's better, but there's not enough improvement to be
> > acceptable. I haven't tried doing it "backwards", but that might work.
> > Of course I'd still run into trouble by the time I got to the fourth
> > side. Hmmm, it looks like I'll have to master this eventually, huh?
> Pull that tail a little harder... So long as you pull straight back,
> you won't do any harm. I'll experiment later and see what else I can
> come up with...
> > This is a new Brother 1034D. I got it on sale for much less than I
> > thought I'd have to pay for a serger, so it's my starter machine. It
> > seems to run properly; the only problems I've had so far have been
> > traced back to good old user error.
> I love mine! :) It's my 'second string' machine, bought as a back-up
> for the Bernina workhorse, and for the free arm feature.
> > I'd never heard of a Toyota serger until I found this site. I DRIVE a
> > Toyota, but I didn't know I could sew with one, too. :)
> It's a massive corportsation with fingers in many pies!
> --
> Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
> Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
> http://www.katedicey.co.uk
> Click on Kate's Pages and explore!