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Member since 11/28/09
Posts: 112
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Posted on: 12/19/09 10:13 PM ET
After a decade-long hiatus, I dug my serger out of the closet.

Then I wondered why I'd put it away filthy, since it was. *sigh*

Anyway, I got it cleaned up, threaded, and set to roughly the right tension. It overlocks OK, looks like I got it threaded correctly. However, when I tried to use it on my cotton-lycra rib knit, I found that it seems to be stretching the fabric - my seam doesn't lie flat, but sort of waves back and forth. I don't think I'm pulling on the fabric or anything.

The differential's set to 1, and the two pieces of fabric are moving at the same rate.

What else should I check? Or is this just normal serger behavior on stretch knits?
  
Member since 10/18/04
Posts: 112
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Posted on: 12/19/09 10:58 PM ET
Can you adjust the pressure of the presser foot? Perhaps it is too high.
  
Member since 4/8/08
Posts: 10077
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Posted on: 12/20/09 1:32 AM ET
In reply to CatSari
If you have scraps of the fabric you might want to try different differential feed settings and see what they look like. I have one fabric I use for yoga pants (a poly/spandex wicking fabric) that I have to set the diff feed to 1.5 in order to get the work to lay flat.

I have a Janome 634D.

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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)

2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
  
Member since 8/24/08
Posts: 207
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Posted on: 12/20/09 2:21 PM ET
I second SheBear0320; when I get waviness I increase my differential and it goes away.

Conversely, if the fabric gathers, I decrease the differential.

I'm on a Jenome too though.
  
Member since 11/28/09
Posts: 112
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Posted on: 12/20/09 4:24 PM ET
Thanks for the suggestions - I'm looking forward to trying them out tonight once the kiddo's asleep.

If it matters, I've got a Kenmore, about 12 years old, but I don't have the model # in front of me. :(
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 11323
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Posted on: 12/22/09 9:30 AM ET
In reply to CatSari
When serging knits, you will almost always want to set your differential feed to positive. This will slightly gather your knit edge to keep the knit flat.

If you wanted a lettuce edge (wavy) on your knit, you would set your DF to negative, which stretches the knit.

If you have differential feed, move it one notch at a time until your stretching problems disappear.
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I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 12/22/09 9:42 AM ET
In reply to CatSari
Quote: CatSari
After a decade-long hiatus, I dug my serger out of the closet.



Then I wondered why I'd put it away filthy, since it was.

This alone might be the problem. It could probably use a good servicing and cleaning. Oil and lubrication will dry up and harden in sergers, sewing machines, and automobiles.
Operating a machine that has sat unused for years could damage the mechanism.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
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