Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
To serge or not to serge >

To serge or not to serge

To serge or not to serge

Thread Tools
 
Old 12-26-2013, 12:58 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 7
Default To serge or not to serge

I'm new to quilting, making my first big (queen sized, for my bed) quilt, and a friend mentioned that quilts with strips have a tendency to have seams fray out. I'm planning to hand tie this quilt because I like the loft, can't afford to pay someone to LAQ it, and I'm pretty sure it'll be too bulky to machine quilt at home. So why not use the brand new serger I got for Christmas to put my strips together? I know it will use more thread, but should be sturdier, right? Any other considerations I haven't thought of?
silvergrrl7 is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 01:16 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,657
Default

I've made a quilt by serging the blocks together for the reason you stated, it raveled a lot. The quilt turned out great. But I've found it's harder to get that 1/4" seam and make sure the seams lined up without hitting pins. It can be done. There's a quilt called the 6 hour quilt and it's made with a serger. Enjoy your new toy. It's really amazing.
Misty's Mom is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 01:18 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Quiltngolfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,422
Default

Serge it. I have made a quilt that I serged. It does better if it is just a strip quilt rather than a lot of little pieces. I didn't like the results with the squares that had little pieces.
Quiltngolfer is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 02:02 PM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
Jingle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,181
Default

Good advice here. I don't have a serger. I haven't had a problem with strips fraying either. I have made lots of quilts and use a closer stitch than most.
Jingle is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 04:38 PM
  #5  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 18,376
Default

I have not had any problem with my strips fraying, but what the heck go ahead a serge it.
mighty is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 06:48 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Pa.
Posts: 418
Default

[ATTACH=CONFIG]453341[/ATTACH]. I made a twin size using my serger. The quilt is from Serge and Merge by Sharon V Rotz.
Attached Thumbnails image.jpg  

Last edited by butter14562; 12-26-2013 at 06:56 PM.
butter14562 is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 07:55 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
ghostrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Default

Why would seams on strips have any more tendency to fray than seams of the same fabric made into blocks? I've never had strips of any width fray just because they were strips. They've frayed because they were loosely woven fabric, but not because of how they were cut. Serge if you want to, but you may just be adding time, effort and expense needlessly.
ghostrider is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 08:54 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,379
Default

Originally Posted by silvergrrl7 View Post
a friend mentioned that quilts with strips have a tendency to have seams fray out.
I have never had this happen, and have never heard of it happening to any other quilter, either. You should ask her where she got this information. I'm quite curious.
Peckish is offline  
Old 12-26-2013, 09:08 PM
  #9  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,390
Default

Originally Posted by ghostrider View Post
Why would seams on strips have any more tendency to fray than seams of the same fabric made into blocks? I've never had strips of any width fray just because they were strips. They've frayed because they were loosely woven fabric, but not because of how they were cut. Serge if you want to, but you may just be adding time, effort and expense needlessly.
Or if theseams were less than 1/4 inch.skimpy seams will pullout - so can a skimpy serged seam.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 12-27-2013, 06:38 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South East, PA
Posts: 333
Default

I tried making a serged quilt... didn't like the bulk in the seams... plus, it seemed harder to get the seam to NOT pucker, and it seemed harder to press the seams nice. You could try using it to make something like a table topper, or placemats or something else small, and see if you like it or not. I was a seamstress, and sewed my own clothes for years, and never had a serger, and my seams NEVER came apart unless I sewed the garment too tight :? Enjoy
scrappingfaye58 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
silver queen
Main
6
05-05-2011 09:32 AM
NancyL746
Main
4
01-06-2011 02:53 PM
TN Donna
Main
11
10-19-2010 05:49 AM
loves2quilt
Main
13
11-04-2009 11:50 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter