Serging 911
Adding a serger to your sewing arsenal will round out your machine collection, and expand your construction and edge finishing options. Singer and Brother offer good quality, value-priced sergers with multiple functionality. When you initially remove your new serger from the box it will already be threaded and set up for four thread sewing. Simply plug it in and raise the thread guide to begin. Make sure the threads are not tangled anywhere in the thread path. There are many functions that your new serger will perform. I‘ve found that the following are the four most frequently used settings for a 2-3-4 serger.
4 Thread Overlock: A strong stitch for construction of knits or wovens
- Both needles threaded
- Both loopers threaded (TIP: lower looper thread lays OVER the threaded upper looper)
- Tension dials from left to right are: 4, 4, 5, and 4 (This will vary slightly depending on the fabric. Always run a test for balancing before beginning your project.)
- Stitch length 3
- Differential feed on neutral for wovens, toward 0.7 for knits
- Knife (7 width for cutting)
- Stitch finger engaged
3 Thread Rolled Hem: A narrow finish for napkins, scarves, ruffles, ribbons
- Right needle only (remove left needle)
- Both loopers threaded
- Tension dials left to right are: 4, 5, and 5
- Stitch length on 0-1
- Differential feed on neutral
- Knife (3 width for cutting)
- Stitch finger removed
3 Thread Overcast: A wide finish for blankets, placemats, tablecloths. You can use decorative threads in upper looper
- Left needle only (remove right needle)
- Hand thread wooly nylon through upper tension guide and thread upper looper (3rd spool from left)
- Upper looper tension dial on 0-2
- Stitch length 0-1
- Differential feed on neutral
- Knife (4.5 width for cutting)
- Stitch finger engaged
2 Thread FlatLock: A flat seam for sportswear
- Left needle only (remove right needle)
- Pearl cotton in lower looper (far right thread)
- Use spreader on unthreaded upper looper
- Lower looper tension (0)
- Needle tension 2-3
- Stitch length (2)
- Knife (6 width for cutting)
- Stitch finger engaged
- Pull seams flat after serging
You can see how the seam, when pulled, lays flat. It looks like a ladder from the back and resembles a blanket edge on the front. The heavier the decorative thread, the fuller the seam finish will look.
TIP: You can use the ladder stitching as the right side and weave a 1/4 or 1/8″ ribbon through the ladder for a pretty surface embellishment or border enhancement.
EMBROIDERED COASTERS
Summer coasters are as easy as pie using your embroidery machine and a medallion, frame or circular embroidery design. From patio parties to hostess gifts, you’ll find many uses for these adorable and simple to make surface protectors.
- Heat press two layers of craft felt together using a paper backed fusible web such as ‘Wonder Under’ or ‘Heat n’ Bond’
- Gently place and press double layered felt onto a sticky stabilizer backed embroidery hoop
- Embroider your selected design
- Trim with pinking or decorative shears and repeat. Stylish summer fun has just begun!
MAY SHOWTMES
- May 19th at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
- May 20th at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., & 6 p.m.
Sew Your Dreams!
Hello Darlene,
My husband purchased the heavy duty serger and sewing machine duo. I seem to be unable to get the serger to work properly. It will not do an overlock without the blue thread showing on my finished project. I have read the instructions and made adjustments and still can not seem to get it finished. What am I doing wrong? How do I fix this. I also own a Brothers serger and have not had this problem with it. PLEASE help.
Gayle
Hi Darlene, I bought the Singer Stylist Serger and am having a difficult time threading. What is the device installed infront of the needles, and what it’s purpose. I’m ready to throw this thing out the window. I wish there was CD. I’ve sewn for years, and had a 30+ year old serger. I honestly don’t know what to do.
Hi Darlene, I got the 5 thread Singer Serger from HSN for Christmas and love the coverstitch.
Do you have any tips for ending the coverstitch, specifically getting the looper thread to loosen so I can get the fabric out? After raising the needles and pressure foot, I use a long needle to gently loosen the needle threads but can’t get the looper thread to release enough so I can get the fabric out. I tried to find something in the CD Workbook (chap 11-13) or the Instruction Book (section 23 How to Cover Stitch). Hopefully it’s something simple I overlooked. Thanks for your help. Nancy
Hi Darlene is there a newer version of the Singer Futura 1000? I want to replace my machine but i want to make sure i upgrade to the latest.
Hi Darlene, I’ve had time to play with the Stylist II serger I bought last event that it was presented. One thing I don’t understand,unless you really hold your fabric to the right the cut fabric will curl down and goes into the machine behind the left door. I’ve pulled the right door forward as tight as possible and put a folded piece of cardboard there to hold it and it does help. I never had a problem with my Ultralock doing this. Any ideas?
Hi Darlene, a little slow this month with comments so thought I’d ask a few questions. What cleaning and maintenance tips can you give us for keeping our embroidery machines running smoothly and out of the repair shops? I try to clean mine daily with just brushing the bobbin case, then the thread guides but is there anything else we can do? I use my Furutura 200 for emb only and my other 7 Singers for my sewing and serging.
Craftylady, You’re doing all the right things! With 7 Singer machines to maintain, I hope you have a vacuum handy!Brushing is good—-vacuuming is even better! You’ll be surprised st how much extra lint and dust can be eliminated from the bobbin shuttle area and beyond with a little suction. It helps in all the places the lint brush can’t reach.Canned air just pushes the lint further into the machine. Loosen threads and lint with the lint brush, then vacuum. Thanks for writing!
Dear Darlene, I was so excited and nervous at the same time to be able to talk with you on the testimonial line today. I hope that I did not embarrass you when I brought up the time where you said you do not need your foot pedal and then you tossed it over your shoulder. That was the last weekend in August 2009. That was the first time I seen HSN. When I visit HSN.com I was so excited when I seen all the sewing machines I felt like a child in a candy store. You have been an encouragement to me.
I bought an anniversary simger in 2006 or 2007.It has been in the
repair shop more than I have used it. Now the bobbin case is
broken. this has been a pain since I bought it. I trusted you
and bought a singer duo of sewing machine and serger. Maybe the
anniversary machine was a fluke. Two years ago I bought it and
while sewing my wedding dress 2yrs. ago it broke down… I
walked in a second hand shop and found a 1950 something that I
finished my wedding gown on. It still works..
Hi nana, I’m glad you were able to finish your wedding gown and I bet it was beautiful on you! I don’t have an Anniversary machine in my notes until January of this year 2012 so I’m unfamiliar with the model you’re speaking of. HSN has offered 3 different duos as Today’s Specials –the one in 2010 was the Stylist ll, the Curvy Computerized with a 2-3-4 serger. The Curvy is still part of our inventory with a 4.6 STAR rating …I’m sorry you had difficulty with yours. Thanks for writing!
the first one was serial#c41968062 HD110C.. The duo set
was Singer Stylist 11 H10016A62510666 Model 5625 It came
with a serger. The latter broke down while sewing my wedding
dress. It was in the shop for about 3 mos.. Like I said I
bought an old Singer #185 in a cabinet dated 1958. Worked like a charm and still does. In 2010 I finally married my
childhood sweet heart at 58yrs old. The first sewing machine
still has a broken bobbin case. But my old singer 1958 still works fine..Mary
HI Kyucker, It was a pleasure to speak with you on our testimonial talk line. I appreciate you taking the time to call and NO–you didn’t embarrass me. Sometimes we do get a little crazy on the show—swept up in the moment of (sewing) passion as they say! I’m glad you discovered our wide sewing assortment on HSN.com. It’s an easy way to stock up on all your sewing essentials! Happy Shopping and see you on the next show!