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avoiding the dreaded jam up (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 3/2/09 4:12 AM ET
I bought a bit of faux fur to use as trimming and by the time I got it home it was already shredding around the cut edges. I tried to overlock the edges but the fur got jammed down into the foot plate. It took a while, but I managed to clean up the mess without any lasting damage.
I used a 4 thread overlock stitch with the cutting blade down. I've had an overlocker for less than a week, so am pretty clueless as to settings. Can anyone advise please?
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I used a 4 thread overlock stitch with the cutting blade down. I've had an overlocker for less than a week, so am pretty clueless as to settings. Can anyone advise please?
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Halt in the name of Plod!
Posted on: 3/2/09 8:52 AM ET
In reply to noddy
Is overlocking necessary? Maybe you could just finish the edges on your sm since you're only doing trim anyway. I made two fur coats and hats for gifts a couple of years ago and didn't finish the edges because it wasn't needed. The fabric is knit so it doesn't fray.
Also, you should be trimming the fur down close to the fabric at the edges (in the s/a only). It reduces bulk considerably. Doing this might relieve your serger of the extra heft it needs to go thru if you do find it necessary to overlock.
HTH!
Eve
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Also, you should be trimming the fur down close to the fabric at the edges (in the s/a only). It reduces bulk considerably. Doing this might relieve your serger of the extra heft it needs to go thru if you do find it necessary to overlock.
HTH!
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 3/2/09 10:36 AM ET
In reply to noddy
Yes, do keep the knife down and do a flatlock stitch instead of a regular overlock stitch. If you see furs in fabric stores they are usually put together with a flatlock stitch to join the yardage.
Your manual should explain the stitch and show what it looks like. The underside looks like a ladder stitch. When serging let the threads loop very loosely over the right side edge of the fabric as you hold the fabric more to the left. When done, you unfold the fabric and pull each side to have the stitch lay flat.
Your manual should explain the stitch and show what it looks like. The underside looks like a ladder stitch. When serging let the threads loop very loosely over the right side edge of the fabric as you hold the fabric more to the left. When done, you unfold the fabric and pull each side to have the stitch lay flat.
Posted on: 3/2/09 6:17 PM ET
I think I'd just as soon zigzag the edges on a regular machine. Fur + serger = mess, especially if you're doing shaggy long stuff like they sell at Distinctive Fabrics.
Also.. some product like Aleenes Fray check can help prevent shedding. I did that for a costume part where the fur was free hanging with no lining and it worked fine.
Another thing that effects shedding is how the fur is cut to begin with. You don't just chop into it with scissors if it's the longer stuff. I took a razor blade and cut just the backing, and that also helped keep the fur intact.
My 2 cents.
Also.. some product like Aleenes Fray check can help prevent shedding. I did that for a costume part where the fur was free hanging with no lining and it worked fine.
Another thing that effects shedding is how the fur is cut to begin with. You don't just chop into it with scissors if it's the longer stuff. I took a razor blade and cut just the backing, and that also helped keep the fur intact.
My 2 cents.
Posted on: 3/3/09 6:14 AM ET
Ahhh, thank you all - I now see the error of my ways! The fur was shedding where it was cut from the bolt in the shop - its a thickish faux fur but not long and shaggy. I suppose I thought I could rescue it from baldness by overlocking the shedding edges (by shedding I mean the fur was falling out of the base fabric).
The Fray Check stuff may be the way to go to stop the fur shedding , so I'll see if I can find some and then try the sm instead.
I had my first real lesson on my overlocker today, and learned to do a flatlock - I really like this stitch, it conjures up all kinds of possibilities!
Cheers
-- Edited on 3/3/09 6:16 AM --
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The Fray Check stuff may be the way to go to stop the fur shedding , so I'll see if I can find some and then try the sm instead.
I had my first real lesson on my overlocker today, and learned to do a flatlock - I really like this stitch, it conjures up all kinds of possibilities!
Cheers

-- Edited on 3/3/09 6:16 AM --
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Halt in the name of Plod!
Posted on: 3/3/09 8:43 AM ET
In reply to noddy
Quote: noddy
The Fray Check stuff may be the way to go to stop the fur shedding , so I'll see if I can find some and then try the sm instead
The Fray Check stuff may be the way to go to stop the fur shedding , so I'll see if I can find some and then try the sm instead
Honestly, I really don't think this should be necessary. Like already mentioned, it will shed only - well, for the most part - where it's cut (unless it's inferior quality). And this is in your seam allowance which needs to be trimmed down close to the fabric anyway. Using a razor blade or exacto knife on the back side of the fabric really is the best way to go for cutting and like Marilly suggested, will cut down on your shedding dramatically. I guess I'm just afraid that the Fray Check might turn your fur into a crunchy hairball...sometimes that stuff has a mind of it's own and goes where you don't want it to.
FWIW, the coats I made were for toddler girls who aren't exactly gentle on their clothes and they've made it thru 2 winters with no baldness.Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 3/4/09 4:18 PM ET
In reply to noddy
I hate to say but most sergers just don't like fur much. The best thing to do is shave the edges of your fur fabric and that pretty much avoids the problem. I know it adds alot of time to the project, but your serger will thank you!
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John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
Posted on: 3/5/09 1:05 AM ET
In reply to noddy
You need to trim the furry fabric first by hand. Don't use your serger knives to do the task..drop the knife. When serging..put the furry side of the fabric face to face right sides together so that the fur is enclosed..then flatlock the seam with your serger.
The shedding is avoided by doing this and most sergers can do this even the least expensive models as part of the task that sergers do well over sewing machines.
-- Edited on 3/5/09 1:08 AM --
The shedding is avoided by doing this and most sergers can do this even the least expensive models as part of the task that sergers do well over sewing machines.
-- Edited on 3/5/09 1:08 AM --
Posted on: 3/5/09 2:03 AM ET
Thanks again all, for your input. Seeing as I need to shave the seam edges anyway (now why didn't I think of that?), it should stop the shredding going too far.
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Halt in the name of Plod!
Posted on: 3/5/09 3:36 PM ET
In reply to EveS
I should have elaborated..but the fray check on the BACKING not on the edge or front where the fur is. And it doesn't take a whole lot to do the job.
But yeah, if the seam is enclosed if you just cut carefully with a blade and handle as little as possible you should be okay. It's also just the nature of fur to shed some.
Which reminds me, in 2 months all 3 outside cats will drop their winter coats alll over the deck. Joy. :P
But yeah, if the seam is enclosed if you just cut carefully with a blade and handle as little as possible you should be okay. It's also just the nature of fur to shed some.
Which reminds me, in 2 months all 3 outside cats will drop their winter coats alll over the deck. Joy. :P
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