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They sew knits and stretch fabric without stretching it out of shape like a sewing machine might. Best of all it cuts sewing time in half! Just looking at a serger frightens many people. When properly “tamed”, people may love their serger even more than their sewing machine!.
Can a serger sew without cutting?
You most likely have a knob you can turn to turn off the cutting action. Do that and then grab some scraps of similar fabric and practice serging them.
Why does my serger not cut fabric?
Use canned air after every use to blow away the fluff from all down in the lower part and around the needle bar of the serger. Open up all the doors of your serger to do this so that the fluff goes OUT. Alternatively, use a vacuum cleaner. I’ve done some of both, but most often use canned air.
What is the difference between a serger and a sewing machine?
A serger uses an overlock stitch, whereas most sewing machines use a lockstitch, and some use a chain stitch. Typically these machines have blades that cut as you go. Sewing machines perform at much slower speeds than sergers. Even commercial machines and sergers still have a dramatic stitch per minute difference.
Why is my serger eating my fabric?
The fabric and needle need to work together to make sure everything goes smoothly. If the needle and fabric don’t make a good pair, this can cause the machine to eat the fabric.
Can a serger straight stitch?
A serger cannot replace a regular sewing machine because many sewing projects require straight stitches. A serger is used mainly for joining seams and for preventing the fabrics to fray. Therefore, if you need to sew hems, curtains, replace zippers, etc., a serger would not be of any use.
Do you need to oil a serger?
Refer to your manual to see how much you need to oil your machine and where. Usually you need to put a drop or two of serger (or sewing machine) oil on each metallic moving joint, where two metal pieces are sliding or turning side by side. Rule #1 always oil after you cleaned, never before!.
When should I replace my serger knife?
Generally, if you serge everyday, expect to replace your knives every 2 to 3 months.
Can a serger replace a regular sewing machine?
Although some projects can be done 100 percent on a serger, a serger cannot replace a regular sewing machine. You will still need a regular machine for facings, zippers, topstitching, buttonholes, etc. A serger cannot do this job.
Are Sergers hard to use?
You’ll learn it the hard way if you start pushing down your feet: the serger goes A LOT faster and when you reach curves or angles it’s harder to control where you’re sewing and go out of way! Being a serger, you won’t only sew on the wrong place: you’ll CUT your fabric… and this is harder to be fixed!.
Can a regular sewing machine serger?
Most of the time, yes, you do need an overlock foot for your overlocking stitch. Your machine may have come with one, or you may need to purchase one. Whenever you’re buying afoot, make sure that the brand matches your sewing machine brand. But, the ladder stitch may be the closest in look to a serged edge.
Why does my fabric keep getting caught in my sewing machine?
A massive nest of tangled thread is usually a result of the sewing machine being improperly threaded. Just because the tangled mess is on the bobbin side of the stitching, don’t assume the fault lies with the bobbin. To correct this problem, put the presser foot up and unthread the sewing machine entirely.
Why is my sewing machine pulling my fabric down?
Your Needle Is Damaged, Bent, or Dull Over time, your sewing machine needle can get damaged or bent, especially if you are sewing through thick fabric. If your needle gets too bent, it can hit your feed dogs, throat plate, or bobbin case, and break. It can also push your fabric under your needle plate.
Can I top stitch with a serger?
Yes, three! That might seem like a lot, but really, it’s just one more than a regular sewing machine. All sergers today come with both utility and decorative stitches. You’ll want to experiment a little to decide which stitches work best for you.
Is it worth buying a serger?
When you are sewing with woven (non-stretchy fabrics like in the photo above) a serger is helpful because it will finish the raw edges and prevent fraying. But it is not necessarily the most durable way to sew the seam, so the proper method is to sew the seams with a sewing machine first.
How often do you oil a serger?
An unused machine will dry up faster than a machine that is used often. So if it’s been sitting unused for several months or years, you will need to oil it before using it. Machines used frequently, with regular cleaning and care, may only need to be oiled every 4-9 months.
What kind of oil does a serger use?
You should use only oil designed for sewing machines on your machine. Sewing machine oil is a white mineral oil, meaning it is clear and has no smell. The oil has a light viscosity and will not collect on the machine’s gears. It is usually marketed as machine or sewing machine oil.
How often should I clean my serger?
It’s crazy how much lint and dust can accumulate in your sewing machine. Most people clean their sewing machine on a project-to-project basis, but you should perform a deep clean on your sewing machine every couple of months.
Can you sharpen a serger blade?
Just like your scissors, serger blades get dull over time and with use. Serger blades should never be sharpened. Typically, one blade will wear faster than the other, due to the hardening of the blades.
What is the knife on a serger?
A knife is a built-in part on a serger, which cuts the edges of the fabric as you sew an overcast stitch. This enables the threads to overlap the edge of the fabric and encase the raw edge completely.
