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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 3/31/05 11:50 AM ET
I bought a used serger recently, threaded it up correctly according to the manual, bought a book on sergers to learn as much as I could...but can't get it to serge. The material runs through just fine and cuts nicely, but it does not make any stitches, no chain is formed. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Could this be a major defect, or a minor problem that can be fixed with a tune up? The person who sold me the machine will refund my money if I decide not to keep it, but I'd really like to keep the machine and get it to work. It's a Kenmore by the way. Thanks to anyone who can help me with this!

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All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. -Pablo Picasso
Posted on: 3/31/05 12:26 PM ET
The first thing I would do is unthread it completely and rethread. I don't have a Kenmore, but if it is not threaded correctly it won't form a stitch.
Debby
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Debby
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Debby
Debby
Posted on: 3/31/05 12:54 PM ET
I agree with Debby. Start from scratch *and make sure you thread everything in the correct order*. Needles are always last. If threaded out of order most sergers will break threads and not form stitches.
Posted on: 3/31/05 1:10 PM ET
A few more suggestions..be sure your needles are up as high as they will go and the needles will not be even, one is higher than the other. When threading be sure that a thread has not fallen out of a guide. Check tension settings. If you have the Kenmore that has the little switch with the extra tension adjustment for regular or rolled hem be sure you have it at the correct setting for the stitch you are using. Also, make sure the stitch finger is set at the correct setting for the stitch you are using. When threading be sure the lower looper thread is over the upper looper arm before putting threads to the back and left of the needles..and yes thread needles last. I hope you get the little devil stitching today.
Posted on: 3/31/05 3:06 PM ET
Thank you all for your helpful suggestions! Gosh, I've tried everything, thread and re-thread, checked to make sure it's on the correct setting, changed the needles, etc. It still won't make a chain. After the loopers and needles are threaded, I pull the thread back under the foot towards the back of the machine. I try to put the lower looper thread on top of the upper looper thread. Either I'm still doing something wrong, or there is something wrong with the machine! AAAaackkk!
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All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. -Pablo Picasso
Posted on: 3/31/05 3:50 PM ET
Are you breaking thread?
Have you tried bringing the threads to the back and left?
-- Edited on 3/31/05 4:51 PM --
Have you tried bringing the threads to the back and left?
-- Edited on 3/31/05 4:51 PM --
Posted on: 3/31/05 4:47 PM ET
Did you clean out the dust or lint , oiled the serger and do you use the correct needles?
General Guidelines to Follow When Serging
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General Guidelines to Follow When Serging
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http://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 3/31/05 8:04 PM ET
You are putting the foot down first right? Then trying to serge a chain with no fabric under the foot and still getting nothing?
Posted on: 3/31/05 11:17 PM ET
I spent a whole afternoon in pretty much the same predicament and finally figured out I had mixed up a looper thread with the needle thread. I kept making the same mistake over and over (duh). Try threading it with a different color in each path to make sure that all your threads are going in the right places. If you can form stitches then it's because you had the threading wrong. If its still not working you may have to have it repaired. It is very confusing in the beginning.
Posted on: 4/1/05 9:41 AM ET
If the loopers are "out of time" you may need to have a tune up.
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JanieV
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