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Member since 8/16/13
Posts: 1839
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Posted on: 3/16/21 2:05 PM ET
So I'm sewing on my serger, and something weird is happening. The stitches are forming fine, but when it comes out the back of the presser foot the fabric is being gathered on one of the needle threads. Once I've finished the seam I can flatten it out and everything is fine. The stitches are perfect, and everything lays nice and flat, no puckering or wavy seams.

So it's not the differential feed (which is set at 0 for this stable woven). It's like when you try to pull a thread out of a line of stitching to 'unsew', if you know what I mean, like how it 'gathers' the fabric then.

I don't know if I'm explaining it well, but I'm wondering if anyone has tips of what to look for. I wondered if the needle threads weren't coming off the spool freely, but for my second attempt I made sure they had a bit of slack in them and it still did it. Any ideas much appreciated, thank you.
  
Member since 11/5/16
Posts: 1379
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Posted on: 3/16/21 2:17 PM ET
I would check the thread paths of needle threads. One may not be seated into the tension discs properly.
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Singer Quantum 9960|Singer 7640 Confidence|Singer 7258 Stylist|Singer 3342 Fashion Mate|Singer 534 Stylist|Singer Brilliance 6199|Singer 15-91|Singer 237 Fashion Mate|Singer 239 Fashion Mate|Janome New Home 654|Brother PE770|Singer Sergers 14SH764, 14J250, 14U354B, 14U286B|
Singer Coverstitch 14T968DC
  
Member since 8/16/13
Posts: 1839
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Posted on: 3/16/21 2:31 PM ET
In reply to ajknots
Thank you. I'm an idiot. First job stop what you're doing and rethread.

Ok, I've taken the needle threads off, checked the paths, rethreaded and it's still doing it.
  
Member since 12/2/08
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Posted on: 3/17/21 1:17 AM ET
In reply to 9dcx
A couple of things you could try. Check to see if the needle giving you a problem is seated correctly with flat side to the back and all the way up. If that's okay the needle might have a nick and need to be replaced. I don't know what brand serger you have, but on my Brother there is no zero for differential feed. Factory setting on mine is 1.0 and the lowest it goes is 0.7, so this leads me to believe there should be at least some?
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Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
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Member since 8/16/13
Posts: 1839
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Posted on: 3/17/21 6:49 AM ET
In reply to SewLibra
Thanks Sew Libra, of course you're right, the diff is set to 1 (in my head that means "no action" hence thinking it was zero).

I will check the needles, I did just switch from 3 to 4 thread, so perhaps I didn't put one in all the way. Thank you.
  
Member since 8/16/13
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Posted on: 3/17/21 7:21 AM ET
Thanks everyone. I completely unthreaded it, put new needles in, oiled it, and everything is working great.

I have stuck a post-it note above my machine:

Problem? Stop!
1. Rethread
2. New needles
3. PR
  
Member since 12/2/08
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Posted on: 3/17/21 1:28 PM ET
In reply to 9dcx
Glad you got it working again. We don't need any extra frustrations in our lives!
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Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 3/17/21 3:09 PM ET
In reply to 9dcx
May I amend your postit? This, in my experience, cures 95%+ of serger stitching problems.

1. Unthread completely, cones off the machine completely.
2. Clean as for routine maintenance.
3. Inspect blades, needles, foot and stitchplate.
4. Rethread from scratch.
5. PR.

  
Member since 8/16/13
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Posted on: 3/17/21 3:44 PM ET
In reply to kayl
Brilliant Kayl! Done, and thank you for all the help you give
  
Member since 8/16/13
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Posted on: 3/17/21 3:44 PM ET
In reply to SewLibra
So true SewLibra! Is there anything more aggravating than time to sew and a misbehaving machine?!
  
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