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Member since 1/23/03
Posts: 1736
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Posted on: 5/1/06 3:23 AM ET
I have a Viking 936 serger which I have not used for a few months due to neverending remodel. Today I attempted to make some boy scout neckerchiefs for the troop I volunteer in and when I tried to do a 3 thread rolled hem it came out like fringe. Obviously the tensions are off so I fiddled with it all afternoon and finally got a good result for about 5 inches on a practice piece. I also checked the thread paths and gave it a nice new needle. When I tried to hem a neckerchief, it came out like fringe again. Grrrr. I am going to have to take it in for a good cleaning and adjustment, but if somebody can tell me if there is something I am neglecting, I'd appreciate it.
  
Member since 8/20/02
Posts: 3338
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Posted on: 5/1/06 1:22 PM ET
When you say "like a fringe" , do you mean your stitches look like a fringe, or the fabric edge?

Before doing anything else, you might want to test it on some different fabric scrap. It might be just the fabric that your serger hates. When stitches forming "fringe" it usually due to looper tread being loose. First I'd try increasing tension. If that does not help, you might need to rethread machine completely. It sounds you tried it already, however. I'd try rethreading both loopers and the needle from scratch, not by tieing threads and pulling through. Sometimes when thread falls out of just one guide, it messes up tension badly.

Also, do you have rolled hem stitch finger engaged?

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We love our fabrics at www.SawyerBrook.com
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 5/1/06 8:56 PM ET
In reply to kathi s
I have never used a 936 but if you tighten your lower looper tension it will help to make a tighter roll on the edge. I hope this helps.
  
Member since 1/23/03
Posts: 1736
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Posted on: 5/1/06 9:33 PM ET
In reply to Nata
Hi, thanks for your input! The stitch itself looks like fringe. There is waaay too much thread flapping around. I finally achieved about 6 inches of good looking rolled hem, on my sample fabric only to go back to fringe when I tried to hem the actual scarf. This is on a poly/cotton fabric I have used before with the same machine with good results. I think I will give up and take my machine in. It suffered an extreme trauma when DH filled my sewing room full of minute paint particles (aerosol paint and a whole house fan do not mix) a few months ago. Sigh.
  
Member since 1/23/03
Posts: 1736
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Posted on: 5/1/06 9:35 PM ET
In reply to Betakin
Hi, thanks! I tried every combination of tensions I could, but no luck. The looper appears to be engaged, but , I am mechanically klutzy and could be all wrong.
Kathi
  
Member since 2/21/03
Posts: 496
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Posted on: 5/1/06 11:21 PM ET
On my Viking 905 serger, you have to push a small lever near the throat plate (it's actually a littler closer to the blade) to the "R" position for rolled hem. I'm not sure the 936 has this or not. Then I tighten my lower looper and loosen my upper looper until the rolled hem looks right -- every thread and fabric combination is a little different.

Oh, and you mentioned you checked your thread path. Have you tried completley rethreading? That solves 99% of my problems, even if the thread path appears correctly threaded ...
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Jackie Mysak
Doula Web site: www.yourbirthpartner.com
  
Member since 1/23/03
Posts: 1736
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Posted on: 5/1/06 11:55 PM ET
In reply to Jackie M
Yup, I have the little lever and I have it on the correct setting. I checked the thread paths several times and rethreaded a couple of times, but the darn thing just keeps throwing scalloped fringe at me instead of a rolled hem. Thanks for your help!
Kathi
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 5/2/06 1:57 AM ET
In reply to kathi s
If your thread paths have been checked and are ok and tensions are ok..it sounds like your width is still not correct. Have you tried changing the stitch width? I would fiddle with both width and length at this point if all else is adjusted correctly.
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 50
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Posted on: 5/2/06 5:41 AM ET
Try using the three thread narrow edge stitch instead. It looks very similar to a rolled hem. I can't get my 936 to do a decent rolled hem, either. It seems to slice it right off the fabric.

Carolyn
  
Member since 5/2/04
Posts: 49
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Posted on: 5/2/06 8:44 AM ET
Did you skip the 2nd metal guide on the lower looper when you were theading your rolled hem? On my 905 the manual says to skip the guide for a rolled hem. I usually just do a narrow hem anyway with the rolled hem lever pulled back to r for the nicest finish of this type, but sometimes I have to keep playing until I figure it out just because.


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Melanie
  
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