1975Jumby
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Date: 2/12/13 1:14 PM I am having a lot of fun playing around with my new sergers. Not sure if some of you saw my post in the sewing machines form, but the day I received my Babylock Eclipse, I answered a Craigslist ad. I wound up with a Babylock Imagine and Pfaff 1475CD for $40...had to be the deal of the century. The Imagine is in beautiful shape with no yellowing and runs great. I was going to sell one of the sergers, but I actually like both of them. The jet air threading on both of them is so cool! So I am going to sell the Pfaff to put towards a new sewing machine.
My question is, how should the stitches look when it comes to the fabric edge? The Babylock manuals for both machines show that the looper threads should extend a little past the fabric edge and not be right up against it. But it seems like the pictures I've seen in my serger books and online show the threads being right against the fabric edge. My looper threads are a little past the fabric edge and I'm not sure if this is right.
Also, am I wrong in assuming that the looper threads won't be as "tight" as the needle threads so that gives them so stretch qualities?
Any help would be appreciated!
Jim ------
Babylock Ellisimo Gold
Babylock Enlighten
Kenmore 1914
Kenmore 1814 |
beauturbo
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Date: 2/12/13 2:18 PM Since you got the manuals, and a whole bunch of on line pictures from everyplace and even a bunch of serger books, sending you anyplace for reference is I think not going to make any difference. But as far as how tight the stitches are, or how much they might hang off the edge of the fabric is all up to you and what you just like actually.
I actually like mine on purpose a tiny bit off the edge of some fabric for 3 and 4 thread overlock for seam finishing. The reason I like that, is that the seam is much more flexible then, and not so "hard".
But if I was using the same 3 or 4 thread overlock as more a decorative accent on something, out side where it showed someplace and maybe with decorative thread instead, then if going for just visual effect I might tighten it up a bit. So I think always just personal preference.
Quickest and most easy to change that kind of thing, either way, just anytime you want, at whim, is most often just change your cutting width a bit wider or more narrow, which would be the same as your stitching width.
-- Edited on 2/12/13 2:28 PM -- |
JKimes
 
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Date: 2/12/13 2:31 PM Hey Jim,
I just found this site which I quickly scanned--seems to have really good photos of what your stitching should (and shouldn't) look like.
Juliette ------
Juliette near Austin, TX
Bernina 830LE
Bernina 350PE
Babylock Evolution
ElnaPro 905DCX
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1975Jumby
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Date: 2/12/13 2:33 PM Thanks, Juliette...do you have the link to the site? I didn't see it in your post.
Jim ------
Babylock Ellisimo Gold
Babylock Enlighten
Kenmore 1914
Kenmore 1814 |
SandiMacD
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Date: 2/13/13 2:52 AM Your serger should be capable of putting the looper ends at the very edge of the fabric so that there is no overhang. That said, there is no right or wrong- if you want it to be a smidge hanging off. I like the even-to-the-edge look myself, it just looks cleaner to me. ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
JKimes
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Date: 2/13/13 9:21 AM DOH!
Sorry about that...
http://www.makeithandmade.com/2012/08/perfecting-sergeroverlocker-tension.html
Juliette ------
Juliette near Austin, TX
Bernina 830LE
Bernina 350PE
Babylock Evolution
ElnaPro 905DCX
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Judy Kski
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Date: 2/13/13 11:53 AM Here is an even faster way to get there. ------
Judy |
PattiAnnJ
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Date: 2/13/13 12:35 PM Quote: JKimes
DOH!
Sorry about that.. http://www.makeithandmade.com/2012/08/perfecting-sergeroverlocker-tension.html
Juliette
How to post quick links:
First, copy the address.
Second, choose the http:// icon at the top of the post you are compiling.
Third, paste.
Fourth, give the link any name you wish.
Easy, peasy and not my idea. Someone on PR posted this method a few years ago and I am soooo glad they did!   |
1975Jumby
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Date: 2/13/13 1:27 PM Thanks for all your help everyone.....I was able to do a side by side comparison of the Imagine and the Eclipse as far as the stitches. The Eclipse is producing far more balanced stitches than the Imagine at this point. I think the Imagine is going to need a little tune up. The looper threads seem to loose on the Imagine and I've even tried turning that screw that is supposed to alleviate the issue. The threads are not lying right on the edge or even just a tad above, but more and definitely does not look like the Eclipse stitches.
I really like the way I can adjust the manual tensions on the Eclipse, but I also see where the auto thread delivery system (auto tension) can come in handy on the Imagine. ------
Babylock Ellisimo Gold
Babylock Enlighten
Kenmore 1914
Kenmore 1814 |
PattiAnnJ
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Date: 2/13/13 2:23 PM My Imagine does not lay the stitches super snug against the fabric.
I never did any adjusting of the tension, maybe I will give it a try.
Have you ever serged without the knife trimming? It takes a good eye to keep the fabric from rolling into the stitching.....not that you need to do this, just curious.
-- Edited on 2/13/13 2:31 PM -- |
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