Deco Serging

What's New, Nov/Dec 1999 by Dunn, April

WE KNOW THAT SERGers can be used to make garments look professionally made. But beyond using sergers for sealing off that perfect hem, how else can they be used? Enter "DecoSerging."

DecoSerging allows sewers to create many interesting designs using their serger. However, there are a few good tips that can make this process easier.

To begin with, when chaining off without fabric, hold the thread taut, both before the project reaches the needle and after. This will prevent the heavier decorative threads from building up on the stitch finger. This is known as "stacking." If too much thread has built up, it will push the build up on the project or jam the fabric on the machine. "Hiccups," or skipped stitches, are caused from uneven feeding of the thread. Try changing the spool from horizontal to vertical or vice versa.

Follow these steps in setting up your serger with a decorative thread spool or a traditional sewing spool: 18 First, take off the cone holder.

Next, put a cushion or foam pad on the spool pin.

Then, replace the thread on the pin and use a spool cap on the top of the spool to prevent the thread from tangling or not feeding smoothly. For a spool cap to fit properly and work effectively, it should not sit at the top like a "hat," but it must slide down the spool.

After making all tension adjustments, always make a final test on a long strip of your project fabric before going on to the real project. Try to skim the raw edge of the fabric with the cutter to trim off the "fuzzies" for a smooth, even-edged finish. (Omit this hint if the technique requires the cutter disengaged.) After the tensions are correctly set, disengage the cutter if needed for the technique (ex: flatlock).

If your serger antenna has a separate small hole, thread this when using decorative threads. This will keep it from getting tangled with other threads. When using threads with glued labels on the spool, remove the labels before putting the spool on the spool pin. This will keep the spool pin clean and will let the spool spin freely.

No two spools of decorative thread will run through your serger exactly the same way, even if they are the same brand and type. If you cannot adjust your tensions tight enough to get the correct stitch appearance for a 3-thread rolled hem or flatlock, you can thread the lower looper with Woolly Nylon. Due to the nature of this thread, it will add tension.

Try these tips when you approach your next serging project. You may make your sewing a lot easier!

April Dunn is the author of Deco

Serging: Decorative Serging Tech

niques (Dragon Threads, 1998).