I have some questions... do any of you know of good books/websites/instructions that teach you technique as well as what the heck to do with this little darlilng other than bind seams and hems? Also, what thread do you all usually use? My dealer also gave me all the feet attachments, so I'll be trying out different things... my first serger class is 12/5 I believe.

Simplerosie, Please keep us in touch about your class. H&*.

Hey welcome back!
On the Babylock Germany HP you can purchased an serger online tutorial, maybe there is the same in english
http://www.babylock.de/index.php?...

I own a Bernina serger for over fifthteen years. She is a very useful "princess" does only like special thread and no dust (cleaning after every working), but then ....

Girls, since so many of you are in the same boat, I will gather all the info from my serger classes and what I can from my dealer and post them on CUTE for you all... since we have these wonderful machines, we best learn how to use them! :-) xoxo

Yes, please tell us all about sergers!! I have one that's about 15 years old, I just got it out of the box it came in last year. Now it's gathering dust in the sewing room instead of the garage. I watched the video that came with it, then took it down to my Janome dealer to get it threaded. It's a JC Penney, not a Janome. Rick just sighed, and did it for me for free like he does all my simple-minded requests. Please let us know what you learn to do with it, Teri!!! I think I need to belong to an "Overcoming Serger Fear" support group, hee hee hee. When I step on that foot pedal, it goes waaaayyy too fast! Love you, Marji

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by mimisews2 26 Nov 2008

Marji, I need that support group too! Good luck!

congrat I just got my Husqvarna 2 days ago and so far it's terrific. I used it to bind off the quilt I just finished before putting the binding one, cut the edges even trimmed it all in one easy step, I think I'm in love!

I like the 2-thread rolled edge, gives a nice finish to ruffles. Don't know any books but am thankful for the ones mentioned here, even when I have had mine for donkeys years. Nice to see that bespectacled lady again!

Teri, I also have a Baby Lock Imagine. I bought it a couple of years ago when my Elna Pro 5 gave me trouble. The Elna was a pain to thread. I bought the Baby Lock because it is so much easier to use. Take your lessons and I know you will love it.

WELCOME BACK young lady ;) *2U Enjoy your machine

Simplyrosie, I love my Imagine. Did you get your CD of instructions. It walks you thru all the processes. I also purchased a Babylock Imagine workbook when I bought my machine. If your dealer does not have it on stock, I am sure they could order for you. Wow!! you are so lucky to have all the different feet also, as they run close to $30. a piece. Do not be afraid of it, try different things, then when it works well for you write down all the settings for that project. You will soon have it down pat. Happy Serging. H&*.

Nice to see you back Teri, you've been missed here.
I love my serger, I use it quite a bit, mostly for seaming and decorative edging. My dealer has a Serger Club and we've done seaming, decorative stitching, heirloom, and creating fabrics from scraps using flatlock seams. I haven't tried a zipper yet, not sure I have the courage for that. Start with the manual and babylock's website for instructions for your particular maching. The Janome site has some nice serger projects. A good reference book is "The Complete Serger Handbook" by Chris James. He's not machine specific so it's a good book for anyone with a serger. There are good illustrations on the various seam types and instructions on how to set up your machine. Play with scraps of various fabrics to get the feel of your machine. Good Luck!

Thanks for asking this Teri. I have a serger that's sitting unused in its box. What a shame! Thanks for the link to Nancy's videos, too. They are a great help. Somehow I had missed them on her site. Will be watching them all soon! *

Thank you for this question. I have 2 overlockers . One with black thread and one with white thread both Janomes and only use them for seams. I have had them for over 19 years I think I need to learn more

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by minnieb 26 Nov 2008

I love your thinking never thought black and white

I like Sewing Machine & serger Accessories by Jo
ann Pugh-gannon Any of her books on sewing that have sections about serging.

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by simplyrosie 26 Nov 2008

Thanks Lillian... will go on Amazon and look tomorrow.. .headed to bed now. what kind of serger do you have?

Hey Teri! I have a serger that I don't believe has been uncovered in probably 10 years or so. It was top of the line when I bought it, but it must have been a lemon because it takes me 30-45 minutes to get it sewing correctly EVERY time I use it, so I don't even bother anymore. I did love using it when I could get it to stitch....maybe you will inspire me to work on it, trade it in, or throw it away!;)

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by lbrow 26 Nov 2008

Jerrilyn, I have the same story as u. finally took it to the repairman a yr. ago. He said timing was not right on it. He fixed it. charged me $25.00 & it has worked like a charm ever since. It's the threading that gives me a pain. I hate threading a serger.

by simplyrosie 26 Nov 2008

Jerri, I know I shouldn't promote companies, but BABY LOCK, BABY LOCK, BABY LOCK. I have to say that they make the best darn machines I've ever tried...and I've tested them all.

I say dust of the serger and give it a whirl...what the heck, what's the most that will happen, you break a few needles? :-)

by mops 26 Nov 2008

THreading a serger is no fun, but once it is threaded right and you want other colours: KNOT. Cot the thread near the cone, knot the new colour, set the tension for every thread at zero (Remember or write down the old setting!!) and pull th threads through. Just thread the needles and that's it; easy, peasy.

I have only used mine to finish off seams and sew a quilt together. :) Have never taken the time to see what all it can do. It is on my list of things to do. :) Keep us informed on what you learn and we can try it too. Nice to see you back.

Here are some videos that are good for serging.. go under techniques, and select "Serge with Confidence 1, 2 or 3".

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by dkjack 26 Nov 2008

Thanks Teri, I will take a look. With all the sewing I do, I really should use it more.

So glad to see you back Teri, sweetie. I have attended a couple serger classes, but this is a little bundle that sits in a corner of my sewing room and scares the be-diddle out of me. LOL I have done serger heirloom sewing, and love it. I do not bind seams and hems with it. When I went to the School Room days put on by Viking in Cocoa Florida about a month ago I actually put a zipper in by using the serger. Can you imagine that? We did a small zippered bag, and no sewing machine at all. Maybe I should post it. I found a site that sort of explains - maybe it will help a little.

Hubby gave me one for Xmas gift last year. I use it mostly for seams and hemming. I think it is a real time saver and really like it. I use sure lock or maxilock thread (cone thread especially for sergers). Ask your dealer for some lessons. Mine gave me a couple free lessons on it and it really helped to understand my machine. Mine is a Janome.

Well, my dear Teri - it is so good to see that you have a new machine to play with - that is great - I was going to suggest that you take a couple classes - I have seen some fantastic items made with sergers - even a quilt - did you get a manual with your machine - if not ask for one. I hope someone with a serger comes along with all the answers - it would be interesting to find out what they have to say about it, too.

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by shirlener88 26 Nov 2008

OH Teri - I am so happy to see your avatar, too! There is some really good info here - have fun.

oh man u got a serger can someone explain what one is for i dont know myself yea silly me

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by simplyrosie 25 Nov 2008

So far I've used it for sewing garments together... but I know that I can do so much more. Hey log into Yahoo my friend.

by jasanne 25 Nov 2008

We call them overlockers 'down under'. It has 3 or 4 threads, 2 needles and does a very fancy style zigzag to finish seams, although you can do a lot more with them too. :)

by mpo14011 25 Nov 2008

I have brought up a rug I have made using my overlocker. It is in projects.

by simplyrosie 25 Nov 2008

Are decorative threads used in loopers AND needles...or just loopers?

by jasanne 25 Nov 2008

I have only used the decorative threads in the loopers

by marymoore 25 Nov 2008

wow that thing can do some nice work and the person working it also

by mpo14011 25 Nov 2008

And if I remember correctly(I will have to check- I can do that later)in the lower looper.

by mops 26 Nov 2008

Lower looper(s) only, at least with mine, which came in the ark with Noah, but is still going strong.