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Member since 10/2/06
Posts: 16
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Posted on: 1/31/07 11:09 PM ET
I have a white 534 now (my first serger, got it based on it's good reviews), and I know it has no differential feed.
I know that it is possible to do knits even without differential feed, so I need any tips I can get. I have 4 little ones, and knits are a must. THANKS! IN ADVANCE.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 2/1/07 3:39 AM ET
In reply to patchouliii
My serger Pfaff Hobbylock 784 does not have differential and I have no problems at all in serging knits. I have never used one with differential so I am not sure what I do differently.

Practice makes perfect with a serger, so just get out some material and go for it.
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Posted on: 2/1/07 7:37 AM ET
Add my voice to Michelle's; my 17 year old New Home has no differential feed, either, and I can sew most knits just fine. There are some poly blends that it seems to dislike (onionskin is one) and skips stitches, but that wouldn't be related to the feed. Do test stitch settings and such on scraps before you start your real project, but a DF is not essential.
-- Edited on 2/1/07 7:37 AM --
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Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 2/1/07 9:00 AM ET
In reply to patchouliii
My Bernina serger has differential feed, but I have never used it when serging knits. There's no need for it, IMHO.
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Member since 1/12/04
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Posted on: 2/1/07 9:16 AM ET
I have an about 1990 ish serger with differential feed but rarely use it on knits. Generally it's not necessary unless it's something like slinky that grows and crawls all over the place.
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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 1134
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Posted on: 2/1/07 9:34 AM ET
i have that serger (white 534). i love it, she's prolly 17 years old. no problem serging knits here, even slinky.
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Linda

Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around naked at all times.
-- Betsey Johnson


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Member since 10/2/06
Posts: 16
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Re: Sergering knits WITHOUT differential feed/RIPPLY edges (posted on 2/1/07 1:21 PM ET)
In reply to mamafitz
Thank you all for your input. I actually read a review by you "mamafitz" on the white 534, and you and a few others had a big influence on this purchase. I wanted something simple just to finish off instead of the old fashioned way of doing seams. It's such a time saver.
So, what is DIFFERENTIAL FEED for? And why do a lotta people say if a serger does not have it DO NOT get it?
I was sergering a knit the other day and the edges became kinda ripply, I was using a four thread stitch at the 2 stitch length, what do you think mamafitz since you have this serger? Do I need to make any adjustments? Should I use WOOLY NYLON on knits. I do on my sewing machine, I like how the thread blends?
Thanks SEW much everyone... I am lovin' this site.
-- Edited on 2/1/07 1:23 PM --
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 2/1/07 4:31 PM ET
In reply to patchouliii
Differential feed is the feed dog system usually in 2 parts that feeds in the fabric at different ratios where the front feed pushes in the fabric (either more or less) under the foot than the rear feed dog is feeding out. This is especially helpful in stretchy knits to keep them from stretching and good for sheer fabrics to keep them from puckering. Sometimes just changing your foot pressure can help in these situations too if your serger has no DF, or using hand placement with pressure in front or behind the feed.
One of the biggest advantanges of having DF is instant gathering by a dial of the DF or a flick of the DF lever whichever the serger has. You gather fabric at the highest setting and can stretch fabric at the lowest DF setting. DF is also helpful to ease hems and sleeves.
-- Edited on 2/1/07 4:44 PM --
  
Member since 3/19/06
Posts: 3847
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Posted on: 2/1/07 5:19 PM ET
In reply to patchouliii
Quote: patchouliii
So, what is DIFFERENTIAL FEED for? And why do a lotta people say if a serger does not have it DO NOT get it?

I was sergering a knit the other day and the edges became kinda ripply,

I am going to expound on what Klynne said:

Basically what a differential feed adjusment allows you do do is stretch or compact the fabric as it feeds.

Let's say that you have a woven fabric that tends to pucker as you sew or serge it. If you set the DF to a low number, it will stretch the fabric and prevent the puckering. If you use this same low number on a knit or certain woven fabrics with the rolled hem, you can get a lovely, wavy lettuce edge. (I I always pull the fabric with my hands for lettuce edging in addtion to the DF setting)

Let's say you are sewing a woven cut on the bias or a stretchy knit that want to ripple (and you want it flat), then you can set the DF to a higher number and it wil compact the fabric in th feeding processes and prevent the stretching. You can use the higher DF setting to gather(tension adjustments also needed) and ease garments as well.

Differential feed is like many other features on sewing machines and sergers- a matter of personal taste. For me, I have DF on my serger and I use it and I like it. Could I learn to get by without it? Sure, but I'd rather have it, and I do think thatit is a feature worth having on a serger.

BTW, you really don't need to finish the edge of seams on most knits. When I use my serger on knits, I am usually seaming with it.
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 2/1/07 5:23 PM ET
In reply to patchouliii
Quote: patchouliii

I was sergering a knit the other day and the edges became kinda ripply, I was using a four thread stitch at the 2 stitch length, what do you think mamafitz since you have this serger? Do I need to make any adjustments? Should I use WOOLY NYLON on knits. I do on my sewing machine, I like how the thread blends?

You could try reducing the presser foot pressure. I don't like wooly nylon, it makes me itchy. i think i keep my stitch length at 2.5.
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Linda

Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around naked at all times.
-- Betsey Johnson


http://mamafitz.blogspot.com
  
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