New Here With A Question
 

Hi everyone. I'm new here but not new to quilting. I've been machine piecing a tumbler quilt (simple straight lines) as a gift for my mom. My machine started getting sluggish and skipping stitches so took it into the shop to be serviced. They said it would be about 3 weeks. In the meantime is killing me not to be working on it and i had the idea yesterday that maybe i could continue working on it with my serger. I'm afraid that the seams will look different from the section that I've already completed though. I think I know the answer but wanted some other opinions on whether it would be ok to do some piecing on the surger.

I don't have a serger, so can answer that, but you could cut your binding, borders and get them ready to go...prepare the backing if you know the finished size. Go shopping for more fabric! :)

I would only use a serger for piecing if your machine is a 4/5 thread and you can use the option to have a straight seam as well as the overlock stitch. My experience has been that without that straight seam, the stitching loosens under the stress of the quilting etc.

Thanks for the advice. It is a 4 thread, 2 straight stitch plus the overlock. I'm worried that the seam will be bulkier. Maybe I'll try a couple of squares and just see how it looks. I can also use it in 3 thread mode with 1 straight stitch plus the overlock. I love hearing more from those with experience doing it so keep them coming. Thanks! Treasureit thanks for the ideas. I don't have the binding or backing fabric yet so shopping is a great idea. My kids are home from school today (election day) and taking them to a fabric shop has proved to be stressful in the past but i think i will go shopping soon.

Leave off the overlock threads?

No extra bulk.

:)

Sorry I don't have a serger so I can't help you but I wanted to say welcome to the board. I know there will be some help for you here.

I would wait for your machine to come back, either use the serger for the whole quilt or not. It will not lay the way you will like for it to lay. Welcome to the board from the foothills of the Colorado Rockies :wave:

I cannot get a 1/4 in seam with my newer serger. On my old serger I can. So you'll want to check that too. But, I know it is hard, but I'd wait for your machine to come home again.

Great advice, thanks to all. I put 2 tumbler pieces together and just by looking you can't tell the difference but when i run my finger across the seam i can feel a noticeable difference. I think i will have to be patient. I don't think my serger has the option to just do the straight stitches. I see that i can do 2, 3, or 4 thread according to the manual. 2 thread includes an overlock, it's for doing a rolled hem on fine fabrics. I tried 2 thread yesterday on a dainty cape for my niece's Halloween costume and i could not get it to work for the life of me. I followed the directions but i obviously was doing something wrong as the thread just came through not linked and not through the fabric. The 3 thread worked great though and did the job nicely. I found an old project (men's shirt) that i cut and never sewed so I'm starting work on that with the serger to feed my addiction.

Can you ask the repair shop for a "loaner" machine? Three weeks is a long time to be without a machine.

I always held true to the saying that if you start a quilt on one DSM, you should continue to piece on ONLY that machine. Piecing a tumble block has to be so accurate, I wouldn't risk it especially with the bulk produced by a serger. I would just make sure that all my pieces were cut and ready to start piecing when you DSM comes home from being serviced. Welcome to the board.

Welcome to the Quilting Board.

What an interesting question. Something I never would have thought of. If I didn't have a back up machine, I would be piecing by hand while I'm waiting on my machine to return.

Welcome! You'll get a lot of good advice and information here. I have learned so much. Three weeks is a long time to have a machine in for repair. Anytime I've taken mine in it's been a matter of days not weeks. A friend took hers in for repair (timing was off) and they fixed it while she went to lunch because she had driven a long distance to get there. She had called ahead. If you really like this repair person then stick with them but I think that is a longer time than normal for a machine repair unless they are waiting on parts.

I've never waited more than 1 week usually less. The last time I was told 2 weeks but took only 1. The workroom at the dealer is usually packed with machines. I think there is 1 repairman and the owner. I saw a sales person working on a machine also. He's the best.

I didn't ask them if they had loaners. Last time i took it to them they told me 2 weeks and it was more like 4 weeks, but they did a great job and didn't overcharge me. There is no other place around other than independent people and i was burned by one of them before. This shop i took it to is a 45 minute drive away. The nearest fabric shop is 30 minutes away in the next state. I think it's safe to say that there aren't too many other people who sew around me. We did have a Jo-Ann's that was very close but it was only there for a couple of years. Not enough business.

Do a search on your local Craigs List to find a cheap, back up machine.

I have a featherweight as a backup machine. It's lightweight to take to classes as well. I use "Little Foot" quarter inch for featherweights and checked to be sure it's quarter inch matched the quarter inch sewn by my Bernina 880. They matched! I was so relieved I didn't have to make any special adjustments to switch from one Machine to the other. Did the happy dance after I checked it out.

MY backup machine is invaluable. My main machine is in the shop at present and I use my backup not only at this time but it is light weight and I take it to my quilt group on a regular basis.

I would love a backup but I'm saving for a modern machine though so i may wait and just use my current 1996 Baby Lock as a back up once i can get a new machine. I've been eyeing the Crescendo but that is a couple of years away.

To the repair shop -- BUT>>>>>>>
Hi...and welcome to the board.
You probably already know this, but i'm going to toss it out there anyway. My machine started to do exactly the same thing a few years ago - i took it to my local shop - and all that it needed was the lint cleaned out of the bobbin case. There was A LOT of lint. Dumb me - i was sewing faux suede at the time and just never thought of it. Just a thought.

If you stay on here long enough, you will probably own several backup machines -- it is contagious!

A used backup machine would be helpful, however no two machines sew exactly alike and your seams may be off by just a hair and you will have a noticeable difference after you sew a lot of pieces together. I try never to use more than one machine on the same quilt, but sometimes you have to make do. Do you have a friend who would loan you a machine until you get yours back? If you have a senior center check to see if they have a machine you could use. If that machine will be gone to the repair person for so long he should provide a loaner.

Craigslist usually has several (or more) used machines for under $100. Some people think vintage machines are far superior to newer ones anyway. Flat bed machines seldom sell, so are quite cheap. I refurbish old sewing machines and can never get more than $50 for one. ( I never pay more than $25.) I give many of them away.....and they work perfectly. Don't be afraid to offer less, esp. if the machine has been listed for weeks, or months.

At-a girl! Anything to keep those stitchin' fingers busy. I've got a stack of mending/altering to do and when I'm at a lull in "production" I pull out a piece or two and work on that. About the serger: if you use serger thread which is a finer thread, it shouldn't be too bulky.

For the same reason it's recommended to use the same brand of ruler throughout a project, I would err on the side of caution and not use the serger. Maybe it's time to shop for a good, used machine so you have a backup?

Welcome to the board.

This is the reason I own 4 Vikings and 1 Singer. I'm never caught without something to sew on. I would look for a reasonably priced used machine to have as a backup. I also would not use the serger for piecing. It's so hard to wait on service and being without a machine is bad when you are raring to go on something. Do you clean your machine after every project, lint out from under the bobbin, change your needles often? Most times it's something like that when the machine starts acting up. I don't usually take mine in for service like they say to do because I am cleaning it all the time.

welcome to the quiltingboard

Yep, I totally agree.
I have several vintage Brother machines that because they are all similar I can switch from one to the other and have exactly the same seams. But as a general rule, I like to do all the piecing for a project on the same machine, the quilting it depends on what I'm doing that determines which machine gets used.
I fix and maintain my own machines so I don't have repair costs except parts when I need them.

Cari

I don't have a surger either but have 6 or 7 older machines that my DH is able to work on for me :) good luck
I could not go for 2 or 3 weeks without sewing. Wonderful folks on here. You will find help.

You know, i have 2 machines in my basement that belonged to my great grandmother. One has the receipt in the cabinet drawer and it was purchased in 1932. One is not electric, it's an old black Singer. The other is tan colored of i remember right and it is electric. When i was in girl scouts as a kid i used to use the black one to sew my badges on but haven't used it since then and the belt is rotted. I've never thought about using them for some reason. Maybe after i get my baby lock back i will see if they can get the electric machine running.

Welcome to the quilting board. If you decide to "help" your vintage machines back to life there is a lot of good help in the Vintage Machine section of the board. They have helped me and many others with their knowledge and support. Usually all the machines need is a good cleaning and oiling.

I took a class with Eleanor Burns where we made a Log Cabin quilt using a serger. It was fun, but not exactly accurate and I vowed that I would never make another serger quilt.

I agree, I just learned to quilt but I do have 4 machines just from when I made clothes.

Now you know why a lot of us have more than one sewing machine. :) My back up machine is Singer 301, bought when they were cheap. I have a treadle machine too.
I've tried piecing a quilt top with my serger and didn't like it.
Sharon in Texas