Serger question...
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 193
At a shop that I frequent, the owner uses her serger to piece all of her quilts. I have not tried this since I am a newbie on both quilting and serging. Any Babylock dealer who has a passion for educating their clientele should offer classes. I have been to two serging classes with a Babylock dealer, and they are well worth the time and price.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,131
[QUOTE=Teen;8058124]My neighbor uses a serger to piece quilt tops but that is too much bulk to me, in my opinion. I may be wrong...
I'm curious to know what use a serger is to a quilt maker. What do you use your serger for?
Elnan's answer:
Right now, my favorite and vintage serger is in the cursing spot on the table. I wanted to change the stitch length after having it on the same setting for several years. After wasting two days of trying to get a good stitch, I just quit, thinking I will go back to that in a day or two.
As for what do I use it for, In years past, I made a lot of clothing, but for the past 6 or more years, have only used it to finish edges of fabric before I wash the fabric. To learn to use the serger, I took several classes at a local Vocational technical college. While the rest of us grumbled and fiddled with settings, the instructor sat at her desk and turned out beautiful lingerie on her serger.
Regarding sewing a quilt on a serger, Quilt In a Day has several books on that subject. Kaye Wood also used a serger to make a quilt in one of her TV segments.
I have seldom used the fourth thread on my serger, usually just using the three thread setting. I do not believe the three thread would be sturdy enough for a quilt, but think the fourth thread would add that security.
I'm curious to know what use a serger is to a quilt maker. What do you use your serger for?
Elnan's answer:
Right now, my favorite and vintage serger is in the cursing spot on the table. I wanted to change the stitch length after having it on the same setting for several years. After wasting two days of trying to get a good stitch, I just quit, thinking I will go back to that in a day or two.
As for what do I use it for, In years past, I made a lot of clothing, but for the past 6 or more years, have only used it to finish edges of fabric before I wash the fabric. To learn to use the serger, I took several classes at a local Vocational technical college. While the rest of us grumbled and fiddled with settings, the instructor sat at her desk and turned out beautiful lingerie on her serger.
Regarding sewing a quilt on a serger, Quilt In a Day has several books on that subject. Kaye Wood also used a serger to make a quilt in one of her TV segments.
I have seldom used the fourth thread on my serger, usually just using the three thread setting. I do not believe the three thread would be sturdy enough for a quilt, but think the fourth thread would add that security.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,487
Sometimes I'll serge a fabric that I know frays terribly such as satins and silks. If I'm using them in a quilt and/or wallhanging this helps from fraying as much while assembling. I used to wash my fabrics so would serge the ends before I threw them into the machine but I no longer wash before cutting, I prefer starching and pressing instead as that will also let me know if I have any bleeders and the pressing will shrink the fabric a bit too.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 601
I got a "simple" serger for Christmas and swear I am going to settle down and learn to use it. I know for making things of knit fabric, you can stabilize the raw edges and get a finished look -- I am hoping it will not roll so much as without serging. I have seen gorgeous table runners made on a serger, using a flat surface stitch kinda randomly (a "modern" design) and a fancy, shiny thread. Some people use only a serger to make things. . .do take a couple of classes and see what sparks your interest. Baby Lock machines are top notch and expensive, so give it a try!
#15
Thank you for feedback and suggestions. I'm going to think about it. The last thing I want is to have a machine take up space and not use it. My domestic is a Babylock so I'm sure it's a good machine but I really cannot see myself using it that much. Now, if it was an embroidery machine, hold me back sisters...lol!
#16
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
The BL ones are easy to thread with the air thread systems.
Do you make any other projects? We have made serger covers, pillows, notebook covers, zipper project bags, etc with our sergers.
There is a pretty decorative stitch called Wave Stitch. Very nice design for finishing edges.
Project here. https://babylock.com/learn-and-creat...d-hem-blankets
Don't think too long. Get it and have fun!
Do you make any other projects? We have made serger covers, pillows, notebook covers, zipper project bags, etc with our sergers.
There is a pretty decorative stitch called Wave Stitch. Very nice design for finishing edges.
Project here. https://babylock.com/learn-and-creat...d-hem-blankets
Don't think too long. Get it and have fun!
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,131
Elnan again,
In years past or passed, I made a lot of knit tights, shirts, etc. I liked to sew the cotton knits with spandex. I made long johns for my daughter, who worked from a Boston Whaler boat on the Chesapeake Bay, MD, and my stepson liked the tights I make for him to use in the Washington winters when biking. My son worked outside in the Indiana winters and liked the tights I made for him to wear as long johns. If the serged seams held together for those articles of clothing, I believe a quilt would also.
In years past or passed, I made a lot of knit tights, shirts, etc. I liked to sew the cotton knits with spandex. I made long johns for my daughter, who worked from a Boston Whaler boat on the Chesapeake Bay, MD, and my stepson liked the tights I make for him to use in the Washington winters when biking. My son worked outside in the Indiana winters and liked the tights I made for him to wear as long johns. If the serged seams held together for those articles of clothing, I believe a quilt would also.
#18
I have made several quilts that are sewn in strips and it worked fine. I also use my serger on pillow cases, purses, bags and clothing. love my babylock. I also use it to put binding on my quilts and I use fusible thread in the lower looper and then press the binding over. I can do the hand work with no clips and the handstitching goes really fast.
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