Okay, I don't know what else to do!! I need some help.

What does it mean when you have threaded your serger and it still will not chain stitch?

Check to make sure one of the threads hasn't jumped ship.

Mine would not be threaded correctly. It is so easy to have one thread that is just not quite where it is supposed to be.

How frustrating this problem is. I haven't used my serger very much in the last 6 mo and it seems I am following the right steps in threading it. I was afraid there might be another problem, but I guess it may be as simple as I have threaded it wrong.
Do you mean that if it is threaded correctly then it will chain and if it is not threaded correctly it will not chain? :cry:

First check to see that your threads are properly threaded accordingly, before serging grab the back threads firmly and make a chain at least 2-4 inches long, stop, lift your presser foot, insert your fabric and serge away. When you finish your desired serging, chain off but keep it serging to leave a short tail behind the project, or else the serger will jam up or break your threads again. Don't forget to lubricate your blade accordingly. If you serge lots of items, the blade will require oiling.
Hope this helps!

Sergers need to be threaded in a specific order or they will not work properly. Look at your diagram and do them in order. it took me a while to figure this out. Try that and let us know if it works.

Make sure the threads are in the little tensioners.

Rule of thumb with most sergers is to thread top looper, bottom looper then needles---in that order. What happens is the loopers don't interlock the thread correctly if not threaded in the proper order....

Thanks and I will give it another try and let you know. I love the job these sergers do, even tho I don't use mine that often. It must be something in the threading and I am sure I will get it. Thanks everyone for your help!

Nine time out of ten it is the threading is incorrect. Try again, but rethread each one, don't try to fudge. I went around for hours making the same error because I did not start over. And Coyote Quilts is right, top first, bottom next, then the needles. In my case I kept screwing up my left needle over and over.

Take it from me, do not take shortcuts when rethreading your serger. If you have a problem with, say, the #2 thread, unthread #3 and #4 before you try to rethread. Do it all in the right order as your directions say, and you will probably get it to stitch.

When all fails in threading and you can't figure out which thread is where. Practice threading with different color threads. It helps alleviate confusion when you are trying to figure out where you are going wrong. After you have solved the issue, you rethread (practice makes perfect).

I know that sounds crazy but it works. I change thread so often I don't think about it. On my machine, I start on the right and work to the left.

The frustrating part about this serge not stitching is that I have used it, until I broke the needle. Since then I have not been able to get it to work so I put it away. Now I really need to stitch with it and so I started with new needles. I have tried several times today to thread it, with no success. :( :cry:
I was about to take it to the repairman when I read this thread again. So I will keep trying and trying. I wouldn't want the repairman to have a laugh for the day now would I? Sorta like the guy who brings his mower to the shop because it won't run and it's outta gas. LOL :lol:
Thanks for the tips

Does anyone know if a serge can be out of timing? I am just not able to get mine to do a chain stitch no matter what I try. Just wondered if this could be the problem.

I imagine that sergers can be out of whack. I would put in a call to your dealer and ask.

I struggled for two or three hours one night with the same problem. What I had done was use a sewing machine needle in the serger that was different from the Singer needle I should have used. Have you recently change a needle? It will not loop if it even just a little shorter.

Your sewing machine needles aren't the same as your serger needles?

What brand of serger do you have? I have to turn a knob on mine as well as thread it.- Sorry, after reading, I think I have misunderstood your terminology - do you mean it won't do single chain stitch, or that it won't sew?

Have you tried a new needle?
And yes, they can be out of timing, but that shouldn't happen just from sitting in the closet -- unless maybe it just needs professional cleaning after sitting that long.
Good luck!

No, I use Schmetz needles in my machines, but my Singer serger requires its own Singer needles. I have to keep them separate.

And Lneal, I have learned that a serger can be out of time. It sure doesn't sound like you have done anything to get yours out of time, tho. I think it takes really rough handling to do that. I agree with the others you should take all the thread off the machine and start with one at a time following the instructions. Oh yes, I think that someone last year suggested taking a rough piece of paper (like a dollar bill) and running it through each tension disc. Hope you get it running soon.

Hi Lneal,

Yes, your sergers timing can be knocked out. And if you hit a pin, that could do it. If it isn't forming a chain after you've threaded it properly, that would be the next thing to check. Do you have a repair person you can trust to give you a free check? They should be able to quickly look at it and tell you if it's out of time. It can be expensive to have it repaired, but it should be included in the price of a regular "service" or "tune-up," which can be anywhere between $50 --$90.