Sponsors
Sponsors
How To Sew A Seam With a Serger? (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 6/10/09 9:25 AM ET
How does one sew a seam with a serger and still have it lie flat?
I have some slinky knit that would be easy to sew with a serger - that way I can knock out two things at once. Sew the seam and cut at one time.
Also, is there a way to hem with a serger? Thanks.
I have some slinky knit that would be easy to sew with a serger - that way I can knock out two things at once. Sew the seam and cut at one time.
Also, is there a way to hem with a serger? Thanks.
Posted on: 6/10/09 10:15 AM ET
I just used my serger to sew all seams, it was a cotton fabric but I will be doing the same with knit. I had it the setting on 4 thread overlock for woven light. I then pressed everything to one side. It worked beautifully. I also did the hem, but since I don't have my coverstitch machine yet - tomorrow is the big day - I just ran the same setting along the bottom in the "woven Light" setting and then did the traditional hem stitch with my regular machine. If your serger does the coverstitch then you can do it all in one go around.
Posted on: 6/10/09 10:23 AM ET
In reply to Monica Ann
Monica Ann - you won't get a serger seam to lie as flat as a sewn seam will. Or maybe you can and I just haven't tried hard enough.
But because they are smaller, they don't stick out as much as it looks like they will when the garment is finished.
You can serge the bottom of the hem with the serger, but as the last poster mentioned, unless you have cover stitch capability, you have to use your sewing machine or hand sew the hem. For knits, I have learned to use my sewing machine with a twin needle and wooly nylon that looks from the outside like a commercial cover stitch - 2 rows of parallel stitching.
And actually, for a slinky knit you might get away with a rolled hem, which can be done on most sergers. Forgot about that one.
------
But because they are smaller, they don't stick out as much as it looks like they will when the garment is finished.You can serge the bottom of the hem with the serger, but as the last poster mentioned, unless you have cover stitch capability, you have to use your sewing machine or hand sew the hem. For knits, I have learned to use my sewing machine with a twin needle and wooly nylon that looks from the outside like a commercial cover stitch - 2 rows of parallel stitching.
And actually, for a slinky knit you might get away with a rolled hem, which can be done on most sergers. Forgot about that one.

------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 6/10/09 10:36 AM ET
Wow - thank you! I knew nothing about a coverstitch, so I'll be going to the manual this evening.
Now if I could just get my hems straight. That is a terrible problem for me......
Now if I could just get my hems straight. That is a terrible problem for me......
Posted on: 6/10/09 10:45 AM ET
Does your serger have a differential feed feature?
If you are getting ripples and/or stretching in your serged seam, adjusting the differential feed on your serger should help out.
A 1.0 to 1.0 ratio usually works for me on most woven cotton or cotton/poly blend fabrics but once I start working with anything that is slippery (satins, linings, etc.), sheer (chiffons, organzas, mesh, etc.) or stretchy (knits, lycras, etc.), I find that the differential feed needs to be adjusted in almost all cases.
Don't know if that helps.
------
If you are getting ripples and/or stretching in your serged seam, adjusting the differential feed on your serger should help out.
A 1.0 to 1.0 ratio usually works for me on most woven cotton or cotton/poly blend fabrics but once I start working with anything that is slippery (satins, linings, etc.), sheer (chiffons, organzas, mesh, etc.) or stretchy (knits, lycras, etc.), I find that the differential feed needs to be adjusted in almost all cases.
Don't know if that helps.
------
Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 6/10/09 11:13 AM ET
In reply to Monica Ann
Not all sergers have the coverstich feature.
The Babylock Imagine has a blind hem foot, but I have found it easier to serge the hem's raw edge and then do the blind hem on the SM, where you can adjust the length and width of the stitch.
Always test with scraps when trying out a new technique.
------
The Babylock Imagine has a blind hem foot, but I have found it easier to serge the hem's raw edge and then do the blind hem on the SM, where you can adjust the length and width of the stitch.
Always test with scraps when trying out a new technique.
------
OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 6/10/09 11:14 AM ET
You can do one of two things:
(1) Serge the raw edges separately. Sew the seam and then press it open.
(2) Serge the raw edges together. Press the seam to one side.
Depending on the garment/fabric/seam placement, one method is better than the other. For knits, I usually serge the seams together and press to one side. I do the pressing on both sides, using a press cloth on the right side.
-- Edited on 6/10/09 11:14 AM --
(1) Serge the raw edges separately. Sew the seam and then press it open.
(2) Serge the raw edges together. Press the seam to one side.
Depending on the garment/fabric/seam placement, one method is better than the other. For knits, I usually serge the seams together and press to one side. I do the pressing on both sides, using a press cloth on the right side.
-- Edited on 6/10/09 11:14 AM --
Posted on: 6/27/09 8:36 PM ET
In reply to Lynnelle
Thanks everyone for your responses.
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns






![Cashmerette Meriam Trousers Paper Pattern [12-32]](https://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/cashmerette/meriam/meriam_t.jpg)
