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How on earth do I use it?? (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 9/23/09 2:09 AM ET
I got a serger on special offer this week
. I'm a bit excited and very intimidated... Item here Lidl overlocker or here lidl overlocker As this is a special offer, it only stays up on the companies website for about a week or two, I'm hoping at least one of the links is up for longer...
I took it home, took out the threads, managed to rethread it, and tried sewing up an old t-shirt, and that went well
.
However, where do I get thread for it? Do I need to get four spools of thread for every project?
There are no seam allowances marked, and it cuts off any excess, how do I sew straight :eh: .
If anyone has any suggestions, or a link to tutorials on the web, I would be very grateful!
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. I'm a bit excited and very intimidated... Item here Lidl overlocker or here lidl overlocker As this is a special offer, it only stays up on the companies website for about a week or two, I'm hoping at least one of the links is up for longer...I took it home, took out the threads, managed to rethread it, and tried sewing up an old t-shirt, and that went well
.However, where do I get thread for it? Do I need to get four spools of thread for every project?
There are no seam allowances marked, and it cuts off any excess, how do I sew straight :eh: .
If anyone has any suggestions, or a link to tutorials on the web, I would be very grateful!
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Reading from Europe
Posted on: 9/23/09 8:54 AM ET
In reply to tg33
I am also working with a new serger. They really are easier than I expected. Glad you like yours! I found Maxi Lock Thread is a good thread for the serger and lots of colors. Online you can find great prices for as low as $1.85 a spool. If you can check out your local library and look for Palmer Pletsch Creative serging DVD. Very 80's looking styles showcased but that doesn't take away from what they teach. I am waiting on the first DVD on serging that they made to come in. Also a book called ABC's of serging. Again 80's feel but VERY informative.
Also youtube has some serging videos too!
Also youtube has some serging videos too!
Posted on: 9/23/09 9:05 AM ET
In reply to tg33
I would only buy four spools of neutral colours like navy blue, white or cream, black, and a shade of brown. For projects that may require special colours like hot pink, red, or sea foam green, you can use regular sewing thread. I just made a cardi-wrap in taupe. To do the serging and rolled hem, I purchased one spool of thread 250-yard (though I would recommend two) and wound bobbins.
The loopers on a serger consume a LOT of thread. So, I suggest buying two spools of thread, wind one or two bobbins for the needles (depending on if you're doing a 3 or 4-thread overlock) and use the spools on the loopers. So far, I have had no problems with this and I've had a serger for almost five years.
HTH
L
-- Edited on 9/23/09 9:05 AM --
The loopers on a serger consume a LOT of thread. So, I suggest buying two spools of thread, wind one or two bobbins for the needles (depending on if you're doing a 3 or 4-thread overlock) and use the spools on the loopers. So far, I have had no problems with this and I've had a serger for almost five years.
HTH
L
-- Edited on 9/23/09 9:05 AM --
Posted on: 9/23/09 9:15 AM ET
In reply to tg33
re: seam guide on the overlocker. Mine came with molded white on white ones and I had a bit of a WTF? moment since there are two needles.
What I suggest is to take several scraps of light-colored fabric with a straight edge (recut if needed). Mark by hand the 1/4", 1/2", 5/8" or any other measure you feel you will need or use. Place it on the machine and serge along the line about halfway so you can see *where* the raw edge of the fabric lies for that measurement. Mark with tape or a permanent marker. You could do different colors so you know red=1/4", blue=5/8" etc.
HTH
What I suggest is to take several scraps of light-colored fabric with a straight edge (recut if needed). Mark by hand the 1/4", 1/2", 5/8" or any other measure you feel you will need or use. Place it on the machine and serge along the line about halfway so you can see *where* the raw edge of the fabric lies for that measurement. Mark with tape or a permanent marker. You could do different colors so you know red=1/4", blue=5/8" etc.
HTH
Posted on: 9/23/09 10:22 AM ET
Thanks for the ideas! I'm in Europe, so I think I'll toddle off to the local fabric shop for a start to see about thread. Are you supposed to use wooly nylon in a serger, or am I making that up? I'll go look for serging on youtube, and see if I can reserve a book on serging in the local library (I've looked through their sewing section a few times and I'm fairly sure there's nothing there, but I can see if it's available to reserve.)
lakaribane, I can't picture exactly what you are talking about, but I'll try it the next time I get a chance to sit in front of the machine.
IIbis, I'm not so much please with my machine, as terrified of it...
Lynelle, that sounds very practical about the thread colours, thanks for that.
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lakaribane, I can't picture exactly what you are talking about, but I'll try it the next time I get a chance to sit in front of the machine.
IIbis, I'm not so much please with my machine, as terrified of it...
Lynelle, that sounds very practical about the thread colours, thanks for that.
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Reading from Europe
Posted on: 9/23/09 11:20 AM ET
In reply to tg33
tg33, I am not sure whereabouts you are in Europe, but in the UK, Moon Threads, which are polyester, are cheap and work well. You can usually get them in a reasonable choice of colours and on either huge cones or much smaller (but still bigger than Gutermann) spools. It is reliable on my overlocker. The wooly nylon goes in the loopers if you are using it. You don't have to use it though.
If you are indeed in the UK, Empress Mills is a good place to get thread for overlockers. They are in Lancashire but have a website.
A good book on beginning overlocking is the Singer one, which is available on Amazon. For the life of me I can't remember the right title even though it is sat on my bookshelf at home. Neither can I post links as I am at work and can't access stuff like Amazon without the fun police chasing me.
Feel free to send me a Private message with any further queries or if you want the ISBN of the book I have which I can look up for you when I get home from work.
To work out your seam allowance measurement, try taking a seam gauge or tape measure, and hold it with zero next to the left hand needle and the bulk of the gauge/tape toward the right hand side/main part of the machine. If you hold it against the body of the machine. If you stick a piece of masking tape or similar to the front of the machine, on the case, just next to the knife area, you can then mark off half an inch, five eighths or whatever you need from the measuring device onto the masking tape using a permanent marker. And voila, your case has a seam line for you to run the raw edge of your fabric along. Your left needle is the one that is going to be stitching where your sewing machine would, that is, on the seam allowance. The rest of the overlocked stitch is in the seam allowance itself, neatening it.
PS. don't be afraid of the overlocker... once you get over the newness, you will be off and away and overlocking absolutely everything in sight.
-- Edited on 9/23/09 11:28 AM --
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If you are indeed in the UK, Empress Mills is a good place to get thread for overlockers. They are in Lancashire but have a website.
A good book on beginning overlocking is the Singer one, which is available on Amazon. For the life of me I can't remember the right title even though it is sat on my bookshelf at home. Neither can I post links as I am at work and can't access stuff like Amazon without the fun police chasing me.
Feel free to send me a Private message with any further queries or if you want the ISBN of the book I have which I can look up for you when I get home from work.
To work out your seam allowance measurement, try taking a seam gauge or tape measure, and hold it with zero next to the left hand needle and the bulk of the gauge/tape toward the right hand side/main part of the machine. If you hold it against the body of the machine. If you stick a piece of masking tape or similar to the front of the machine, on the case, just next to the knife area, you can then mark off half an inch, five eighths or whatever you need from the measuring device onto the masking tape using a permanent marker. And voila, your case has a seam line for you to run the raw edge of your fabric along. Your left needle is the one that is going to be stitching where your sewing machine would, that is, on the seam allowance. The rest of the overlocked stitch is in the seam allowance itself, neatening it.
PS. don't be afraid of the overlocker... once you get over the newness, you will be off and away and overlocking absolutely everything in sight.
-- Edited on 9/23/09 11:28 AM --
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http://sewyld.blogspot.com/
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Posted on: 9/23/09 4:34 PM ET
Thanks for the advice YL! I don't think I can PM as I'm not a paid up member of PR but I'm based in Ireland, so ordering from the UK is straightforward .
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Reading from Europe
Posted on: 9/23/09 5:13 PM ET
Sorry, I had a longer reply and lost it, then posted a quick reply, now hoping to catch up
.
Is one of these the book you were talking about:
the new sewing with a serger book
sewing with an overlock (hardback)
sewing with an overlock (paperback)
None of these are available directly from amazon, but I'll have a look. Mind you, I have a load of books already, and need to cut back on spending for a while
. I also have a list of stuff to get done first, I picked up the overlocker because it was on offer in Lidl, and got sidelined, not for the first time...
I've also come across this book, have you seen it?
sewing with sergers
-- Edited on 9/23/09 5:27 PM --
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.Is one of these the book you were talking about:
the new sewing with a serger book
sewing with an overlock (hardback)
sewing with an overlock (paperback)
None of these are available directly from amazon, but I'll have a look. Mind you, I have a load of books already, and need to cut back on spending for a while
. I also have a list of stuff to get done first, I picked up the overlocker because it was on offer in Lidl, and got sidelined, not for the first time...I've also come across this book, have you seen it?
sewing with sergers
-- Edited on 9/23/09 5:27 PM --
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Reading from Europe
Posted on: 9/24/09 2:02 AM ET
In reply to tg33
tg33, the book I have is the one called The New Sewing with a Serger so yes, the first one you linked to is the one I have. I have the companion book to the last link you give which is called Creative Serging... this is for when you want to be more adventurous... however, because its a Palmer/Pletsch publication, its clear and concise... I would imagine that the Sewing with Sergers would be similarly useful and must admit I do have that very book on my long list of books to buy when the bank manager permits it. These particular books have line drawings rather than photos but the descriptions and diagrams are excellent, clear and easily understood, at least I think so. I pretty much like anything Palmer/Pletsch put out as they are always well thought out and clear and often include little tips to make things easier that I would not have thought of.
Hope you enjoy your overlocker when you get time to sit and work with it.
Jenni
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Hope you enjoy your overlocker when you get time to sit and work with it.
Jenni
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http://sewyld.blogspot.com/
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Posted on: 9/24/09 6:19 AM ET
Thanks Jenni, I looked up Empress mills and it looks like it has a lot of choice of colours and threads.
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Reading from Europe
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