grma33

I just bought a serger as I`m always hemming pants and making things for d family. Just finished Elmo pillow case.
Do any of you also use this machine in quilting and what for? Thinking it might be good for pieceing backs.
Thanks Gale

Skeat

congrats grma! Sergers are most fun for many things in the real world:)I use to make little sweat suits for the kid's dolls using only a serger and many napkins for those gifts and fabric napkins are so much nicer:)You will have fun w/this little toy:)The only time I personally use mine for quilting is if I am going to do alot of hand work on a project, I will serge the edges for stability and for it not to unravel. I'm sure the post Loretta posted has many other options I haven't read yet-but, will peek there soon:) Keep the fuzz out of it and keep it oiled good and you will have many many projects of fun ahead:)Enjoy! Skeat

mamabird3

I am sure I would find use for it if I could figure out how to use the dang thing... I can't quite get it working. Not sure if it is the threading or issues with the machine. I am thinking of just getting rid of it. :cry:

quilter1962

I have a babylock - used it alot when I used to make clothes for my two boys when they were small & ball gowns for myself.
I have to addmit it's sitting upstairs in my loft & probably hasn't been out of the box for a good 8 yrs now :oops:

Tisha

marty_mo

Another good use is to serge the edges (cut edges on each end of the length) of fabric before washing if you are a pre washer, it prevents all the unraveling and stringy edges.

I've not tried quilting with my serger.

Prism99

What brand and model of serger do you have? Maybe someone here has one like it and can advise you.

One thing I know is that sergers are very picky about the order in which you thread them. Do you have the manual? Or perhaps your serger has the threading diagram printed on it? To thread you have to remove all of the threads and start from scratch with #1.

Sergers are also very unforgiving if you miss one of the threading holes or do something else not "just so". There are a few brands/models of sergers that are just awful even when threaded correctly; however, most are pretty good when everything is just the way they like it.

BellaBoo

I thought I wanted a serger, had to have one, must get one. I happen to win a Singer Tiny Serger and that little thing works great. I used it for a few projects and found out I don't really want a big one, I didn't need one and the obsession to get one dwindled away.

Skeat

Momma bird....you might snip your threads, and rethread w/the presser foot up...make triple sure that the inside is really cleaned out. I will have a thread break from time to time if I am not paying attention and forget to get the fuzz out fo the inside...which they do create much! Oil any moving part you can see...just add a drop of oil.

If still something wrong...could be also (depending on what is happening) needing new needles-or your tension has been played with. If I ever need to adjust tension due to the fabic thickness, I move it ever so slightly till I have the adjustment I need. Mine does not like too much adjustments on the tension:)Keep us posted..Skeat

Barbm

I have one in the box. Never used it. I do know where it is. Don't know if I will ever use it though.

RedGarnet222

I have had my babylock for almost 15 yaears now and still love it. I sew home deco items, clothing, accessories and gifts with the three thread overlock stitch. This little machine has saved me many hours of finishing off edges the old fashioned way.

The one thing that my handbook stresses is that to rethread a machine you must cut the needle thread and rethread the upper and lower loopers first, then include the needle thread in with the rest to begin the chain.

The handbook is invaluable, I use it alot when I am changing the tensions or type of sewing with it.

There are many books out about how to use the serger in quilting. Singer has one that is nice with many pictures to help illistrate.

I have noticed lately that the quilt stores in my area are having classes that teach you about the sergers. It would be fun to take one, don't you think?