I've learned the best seam finish for lingerie, sweater knits, and the like is the stretch wrap stitch on the serger. The high-end Elna's have this built in as a stitch option. I can duplicate it on my very basic New Home 434D by setting up for a narrow 3 thread stitch. The needle tension is set to 3. The upper looper (using woolly nylon thread) is set to 5, and the lower looper is set to 8 with regular cone serger thread.
This makes the woolly nylon wrap around to the back of the seam and the lower looper thread disappears. The results is a very narrow, flat, and soft (thanks to woolly nylon) stitch. It looks RTW and only uses one spool of woolly nylon to cover both sides of seam. Very Cool!!!
I do like to machine stitch a narrow zigzag (for strength) prior to the seam finishing described here. |
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Thanks for the helpful tip!
3/16/04 10:14 PM
Thanks, Rennie! Will try this on sweater fabric order soon to arrive.
3/17/04 12:46 PM
Which Elna model has this stitch? I am looking for a serger that will work with sheer, stretchy, or slippery fabric. Afer spending hours reading all the reviews on different sergers, there is not much discussion about this group of fabric. Could you please give me some suggestions of serger models I should or should not consider? THanks in advance. Pointedfeet
5/19/06 9:52 AM
Any serger with adjustable tension has the capability of this stitch. This stitch is preprogram on the upper end Elna's. (925 and 945). If you are shopping for a serger test drive them and take your sample fabrics with you. Be sure to look at the Jet Air Babylocks for ease in threading if looking for a new serger. The tensions are not adjustable per se but the ease in threading may more than make up.
5/20/06 9:36 AM
Looks very interesting.
7/7/11 5:07 PM