So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fixing Defective Serger Stitches

By David Trumble

Few things are more important when serging than the quality of the stitch. While sergers are a bit more complicated than regular sewing machines, they are famous for producing high quality stitches.

Seaming, overcasting, and trimming with a bunch of threads at high speeds is what serging is all about.

Sergers are well known for their professional edge finishes. There are many serger applications, but sergers cannot replace a ordinary sewing machine.

When tensions are just right and each thread lies where it is suppose to be, it is a good stitch. Things like irregularities, loops, and puckers just dont exist.

Problems with stitch quality are a major irritation for serger users. They must be eliminated in order to produce consistent high quality seams and overedge finishes. Stitch problems may include faulty tension balances, irregular stitches, set up issues, and thread breakage. These and other stitch challenges can be overcome, but they require a little common sense, serger care, and basic technique.

A common source of stitch problems relates to problems with tensions. When you suspect difficulties here, rethread and make sure thread is right. Seat the threads carefully in their tension devices. Finally, adjust one thread at a time until all tensions are balances. Use a different color for each thread to make it easier to track.

Hiccups happen. Sometimes stitches just mess up. When they do, check threading, tensions, needles, and snags.

Rethreading is often helpful. Properly balance the tensions and make sure the needles are fresh and appropriate to the fabric. If the edge is inconsistent, try pre-trimming the edge and carefully guide the fabric consistently as you serge. Try adjusting the stitch length to see if that helps. Change threads especially if you are using older thread, highly linty thread, or otherwise lower quality threads. Closely inspect the loopers, needle plate, thread guides, and presser foot for possible burrs or rough spots. Smooth off and try again.

Set up is a major undertaking on some sergers. It is easy to make little mistakes like failing to rebalance the tensions. Therefore, when serger problems after setting up new arrangements, go back and repeat the set up carefully.

Sometimes thread breaks. This can happen the second you start serging, or it can happen at the most in opportune moment in the middle of a seam. The root causes are commonly needles, threads, tensions, burrs, and presser feet. Try the following to seek a solution. Check to make sure the needles are properly seated and positioned. Replace the needles and make sure they match the fabric. Change to a larger needle will sometimes reduce breakage. Inspect the thread to make sure it is good quality and has consistent integrity.

Why do threads break? We have found several common causes, but sometimes it is the thread itself. Old, rotten, decayed thread do not perform well. Use good quality thread and see if the thread breakage continues.

Generally, when the stitch quality is less than acceptable there are some basic things to check every time. These include needles, thread and threading, tensions, loopers, snag causes, settings, and balance. Replacing needles properly, rethreading properly, and adjusting tension balance are the three basic approaches to solve stitch problems.

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