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Why serge?
Kaileesmommy Beginner FL USA Member since 4/5/08 Posts: 21	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/24/08 0:29 AM I used my grandma's serger once and of course was wowed how it cut and finished the edge in one pass. But, is that all a serger can really do? Can they do anything else? For the expense, I would hope they have other features. Can someone enligthten me, please? Thanks.
EveS   Intermediate MI USA Member since 11/26/06 Posts: 2700	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaileesmommy Like this post Date: 5/24/08 0:43 AM Their main purpose is to give a good, professional finish to your seams. RTW seams are serged, so if you finish your garments in this fashion, they won't look as homemade. These seams are also very durable. And if you were to sew athletic wear like swimsuits, you really would need a serger. You can also do some decorative techniques with your serger, like serged edges on garments, napkins, scarves, you name it. There are plenty of other applications and techniques as well. Gathering is great on a serger because of the differential feed. And many will also do a rolled hem, which is fabulous for fine, lightweight fabrics. My serger makes a beautiful rolled hem and makes me glad that I have the machine I have. Some sergers have the capability to convert to a coverstitch machine, but many people find this a cumbersome task and prefer to have a stand-alone coverstitch machine. I guess sergers serging (?) is their chief draw, but the more you get into sewing, the more you'll probably find that they can make a world of difference in the finished look of a garment. A year ago I thought I wouldn't want one. Now I have one and will shoot for the coverstitch machine next. Eve -- Edited on 5/24/08 1:41 AM -- ------ People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaileesmommy Like this post Date: 5/24/08 1:07 AM A serger can do a wonderful fast job gathering and making beautiful narrow rolled hems and wide double rolled edges and fish line ruffles and lettuced edges and double rolled edges. Blindhems are quick and easy also when done on a serger but some sergers do a blindhem much nicer than others. There is much than can be done with serged thread chains too. You can make your own lace and tassels, cording and more including tuck and roll. You can do picot edges, couching and flatlocking, lace and ribbon insertion, fagoting, bindings and elastics. You can insert piping or make a mock piping by serging over filler cord with a satin rolled edge and serge directly onto the fabric in either a single or double layer. Lapped seams and mock flat felled seams can also be done on a serger including decorative French seams done on the outside of the fabric resembeling a tuck. Zippers can be inserted with a serger and a serger can also do serge bound buttonholes and serged cutwork. There is much much more than can be done on any basic serger. Then there are the sergers with the chain stitch and cover hem stitches that allow much more to be done for deco work.
Patti B   Intermediate OR USA Member since 9/29/02 Posts: 2247	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/24/08 9:42 AM I developed serger lust when I stumbled across Susan Huxley's inspiring book, Serger Secrets. The link goes to the reader page so you can browse inside a bit. Until you have a serger, it isn't always easy to think when you would use it. My answer is -- basically all the time! I construct most knits entirely by the serger, hem napkins, did a rolled hem on a veil for my DD, etc etc. I just finished a bulky knit jacket and used the coverstitch with woolly nylon as a top seam finish and also to corral escaping yarns on the inside. Possibilities are truly endless. ------ Patti R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
BeckyW Intermediate AL USA Member since 5/23/04 Posts: 485	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/24/08 9:48 AM I construct most of my wovens with a serger. It sews the seam and makes the inside nice and not ravelly (is that a word?). Mine makes the best piping. It takes a lot more finess to make piping made on the sewing machine look as nice. ------ Becky
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5412	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/24/08 10:07 AM I inherited my serger, so expense was not an issue. But I really, really LOVE it (except when I have to thread the %^&*@ thing...) for all kinds of sewing jobs. For years and years I hardly ever used it for anything more than finishing hems and making flannelet baby wash cloths, but it does such a good job of that, I can't imagine not having it. Someone told me about making rolled hems and it does a beautiful job of those as well. It has started to misbehave a bit recently and I am feeling very reluctant to send it in for servicing because I can't imagine not having it here. If you really like to sew and you can afford it, I really think a serger is a good investment. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Kaileesmommy Beginner FL USA Member since 4/5/08 Posts: 21	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/24/08 3:10 PM Thank you all so much for the wonderful info, ladies! I had no idea sergers could do all that stuff! I actually do plan to sew my own swimwear (I live near the beach) and make some slinky little nighties with a rolled hem. I had no idea they had so many decorative features too. I guess the next part is findind a good used one at a decent price.
Emi1yKate Intermediate Member since 1/18/03 Posts: 356	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/25/08 5:09 AM sorta OT, but BeckyW, I have not had very good results doing piping on my serger with the piping foot; it seems I can't get quite close enough to the piping with the needles so it's not as cleanlooking... what's your secret? ------ www.thisisemilykate.blogspot.com
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to Emi1yKate Like this post Date: 5/25/08 4:02 PM I have done even the tiniest piping for baby items with my serger and it turns out better than with my sewing machine but I use an adjustable blindhem foot on my serger to do it. This is actually a coverlock foot and different from many other serger feet. It is large and designed like some of the sewing machine feet. I think with different brands of sergers we sometimes have to use different feet in different ways to achieve the tasks on hand.
dfsews   Intermediate NE USA Member since 4/17/06 Posts: 606	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kaileesmommy Like this post Date: 5/25/08 6:36 PM You can use a special elastic foot to stretch the elastic as you apply it to the swimwear. You can also flatlock for decorative work-you can flatlock beads on, etc. You can cord edges for decorative finish. You will be able to make a pretty heirloom nightie with your serger if you wish. Once you get rolling with a serger, you won't know how you sewed without one.

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