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This is the pits --completely (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 11/23/06 2:33 PM ET
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/bottom1.jpg
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/bottom2.jpg
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/top2.jpg
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/top1.jpg
These are pictures of what's happening. I can't even say how many times I've re-read and carefully re-threaded the machine. (coverlock 4852.) The stitches are bunching up on the stitch-forming thing. This is fairly substantial fabric, and one side is interfaced, so this should be going through the machine smoothly.
I actually had the chain stitch going for a while last night and it was working just fine, but this 4-thread safety stitch seam is failing miserably.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Kelly
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http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/bottom2.jpg
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/top2.jpg
http://www.urbanfool.us/sewing/top1.jpg
These are pictures of what's happening. I can't even say how many times I've re-read and carefully re-threaded the machine. (coverlock 4852.) The stitches are bunching up on the stitch-forming thing. This is fairly substantial fabric, and one side is interfaced, so this should be going through the machine smoothly.
I actually had the chain stitch going for a while last night and it was working just fine, but this 4-thread safety stitch seam is failing miserably.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Kelly
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Kelly
Posted on: 11/23/06 2:39 PM ET
In reply to UrbanFool
I studied the pics well.
Since you seem to id'd the problem: the stitches are bunching up on the stitch-forming thing (finger).
Run your finger along that finger. Is there a burr that's catching your fabric????
Also, to me, it looks like your needle tension is a little off.
What kind of fabric is this...woven? Knit? What kind of needles are you using? The appropriate ones for wovens or knits?
Keep at it Kelly!!!!
My serger sat for 2 YEARS because of tension and then I finally figured it out after looking at a serger in a sewing store. I hadn't threaded the tension discs at the top of the machine before running my thread through the eyes up there. TWO YEARS wasted. Don't let this happen to you.
Keep us posted! I'll be online for a while yet.
HTH,
Donna
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Since you seem to id'd the problem: the stitches are bunching up on the stitch-forming thing (finger).
Run your finger along that finger. Is there a burr that's catching your fabric????
Also, to me, it looks like your needle tension is a little off.
What kind of fabric is this...woven? Knit? What kind of needles are you using? The appropriate ones for wovens or knits?
Keep at it Kelly!!!!

My serger sat for 2 YEARS because of tension and then I finally figured it out after looking at a serger in a sewing store. I hadn't threaded the tension discs at the top of the machine before running my thread through the eyes up there. TWO YEARS wasted. Don't let this happen to you.

Keep us posted! I'll be online for a while yet.
HTH,
Donna
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The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/23/06 2:54 PM ET
In reply to Donna H
Well, the tension seems off to me too, so I set them all at zero, re-thread, and then set them where they're supposed to be. I get one or two seams, then it goes all wonky.
This fabric is a faux giraffe fur (not real thick), and then interfaced corduroy... just medium weight, nothing spectacular.
This was also happening on a fairly thin cotton, one side interfaced... I was trying to sew a collar together. (I'd switched to the other to see if the thicker fabric helped.)
The stitches are bunching up, but also the lower tension on the chain stitch part is looking all weird.
I'm a little worried, because I had to adjust parts of the machine for the chain stitch yesterday and am worried that somehow they aren't put back properly although I've checked those again and again also.
I sure appreciate the help!
-- Edited on 11/23/06 2:56 PM --
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This fabric is a faux giraffe fur (not real thick), and then interfaced corduroy... just medium weight, nothing spectacular.
This was also happening on a fairly thin cotton, one side interfaced... I was trying to sew a collar together. (I'd switched to the other to see if the thicker fabric helped.)
The stitches are bunching up, but also the lower tension on the chain stitch part is looking all weird.
I'm a little worried, because I had to adjust parts of the machine for the chain stitch yesterday and am worried that somehow they aren't put back properly although I've checked those again and again also.
I sure appreciate the help!
-- Edited on 11/23/06 2:56 PM --
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Kelly
Posted on: 11/23/06 3:02 PM ET
In reply to UrbanFool
Ok, now you gotta realize my advice is what I'd do if it was ME...ok?
I'd find some plain old cotton and work until it goes right.
Your stitches aren't correct, no matter what fabric you're using, so begin with something EASY. Cotton first. Then your faux giraffe when you've got it.
You said you get "one or two seams then it all goes wonky". How long are these seams? Maybe it IS your machine and the timing of it.
Gosh, I feel for you.
Did you FEEL that finger to see if there is a burr on it?
How is the fabric feeding? If it's catching on something underneath, it would bunch up on that finger.
What size needles are you using?
Please, keep at it!
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I'd find some plain old cotton and work until it goes right.
Your stitches aren't correct, no matter what fabric you're using, so begin with something EASY. Cotton first. Then your faux giraffe when you've got it.
You said you get "one or two seams then it all goes wonky". How long are these seams? Maybe it IS your machine and the timing of it.
Gosh, I feel for you.
Did you FEEL that finger to see if there is a burr on it?
How is the fabric feeding? If it's catching on something underneath, it would bunch up on that finger.
What size needles are you using?
Please, keep at it!
------
The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/23/06 3:15 PM ET
In reply to Donna H
There doesn't seem to be a burr or anything. The fabric DOES seem like it's feeding funny so I've checked the differential about a gazillion times.
I do have medium-weight cotton canvas that's my "practice" material. I've definitely gone through a lot of IT today too!
I got two good seams... one of which was 22 inches long, and the other about 4 inches. Even on the basically good seams though, I felt like I was practically willing the fabric through.
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I do have medium-weight cotton canvas that's my "practice" material. I've definitely gone through a lot of IT today too!
I got two good seams... one of which was 22 inches long, and the other about 4 inches. Even on the basically good seams though, I felt like I was practically willing the fabric through.
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Kelly
Posted on: 11/23/06 3:30 PM ET
In reply to UrbanFool
Hmmm...."fabric DOES seem like it's feeding funny"....
1. Have you cleaned the feed dogs out lately? You're sewing faux fur, right? Hair??
2. Dumb question, but do you have the proper foot on the machine?
3. You still haven't told me what size needles you're using...could be too large or too small. I usually have 80/12's in my machines.
4. Take a break. You've been at this a long while and you're getting frustrated.
In the meantime, I'll help out by hollering....H E L P ! ! ! !!
Just trying to help!!
BTW, while waiting for your responses (and someone else to jump in here to help you) I bought $21 worth of cotton interlock from Nancy's Notions for $1.99/yd. I bought 4 yds each of two nice colors. Yeah, I know, you don't want to hear it, right? Sorry.
AND it just dawned on my about your Looper tensions. Maybe it's too tight still and that's why it's dragging on the stitch forming finger. Just a thought.
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1. Have you cleaned the feed dogs out lately? You're sewing faux fur, right? Hair??
2. Dumb question, but do you have the proper foot on the machine?
3. You still haven't told me what size needles you're using...could be too large or too small. I usually have 80/12's in my machines.
4. Take a break. You've been at this a long while and you're getting frustrated.
In the meantime, I'll help out by hollering....H E L P ! ! ! !!

Just trying to help!!
BTW, while waiting for your responses (and someone else to jump in here to help you) I bought $21 worth of cotton interlock from Nancy's Notions for $1.99/yd. I bought 4 yds each of two nice colors. Yeah, I know, you don't want to hear it, right? Sorry.

AND it just dawned on my about your Looper tensions. Maybe it's too tight still and that's why it's dragging on the stitch forming finger. Just a thought.
------
The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/23/06 4:12 PM ET
Oh... I'm not sure of the size needle. They're the ones that came with the machine, frankly. They don't seem too big or too small though (as needles go). It's also got the foot that came with the machine. It HAS sewn this stitch before. I only sewed that bit of fur --maybe 11 inches long, so that shouldn't be an issue. I just wanted to try a thicker seam.
Everything's been cleaned again and again. I guess I'm just going to have to take it in. I think it's definitely time for a break. I'm ready to just heave it out the window.
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Everything's been cleaned again and again. I guess I'm just going to have to take it in. I think it's definitely time for a break. I'm ready to just heave it out the window.
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Kelly
Posted on: 11/23/06 4:15 PM ET
This may not be what you want to hear - my serger was giving me fits, and I changed needles, changed thread, changed feet, rethreaded and rethreaded, cleaned, oiled - this went on for two weeks, and I still got uneven tension on the loopers.
No rhyme or reason, didn't matter what fabric, needle thread was fine, looper tension would be normal and suddenly loosen and tighten back up again. I finally gave up and took it to the shop. There was a technical problem I could not have fixed myself.
So at some point, when you do all you can do, it may need to visit the doctor.
Sergers are just finicky beasts, and need more maintenance than sewing machines. I need to remember to budget for these annual tune-ups.
~Linda (redsquid)
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No rhyme or reason, didn't matter what fabric, needle thread was fine, looper tension would be normal and suddenly loosen and tighten back up again. I finally gave up and took it to the shop. There was a technical problem I could not have fixed myself.
So at some point, when you do all you can do, it may need to visit the doctor.
Sergers are just finicky beasts, and need more maintenance than sewing machines. I need to remember to budget for these annual tune-ups.
~Linda (redsquid)
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redsquid (Linda)
Re: Ive just about given up on this Serger (posted on 11/23/06 4:19 PM ET)
The giraffe handbag is my secret Santa gift, so I'm really getting the heebies about now.
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Kelly
Re: Ive just about given up on this Serger (posted on 11/23/06 4:21 PM ET)
Thanks Linda. This idiot thing is pretty much brand new... I've yet to actually sew anything on it.
I guess when I finally get through this, I'll be a better person for it. (BLAH)
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I guess when I finally get through this, I'll be a better person for it. (BLAH)
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Kelly
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