Serger Basics: Video Part 1

Hi Everyone!  Thanks for all the great emails and messages about my New Video Series featuring the Singer Pro Finish Serger!  I'm so glad that my FANS aren't shy about asking me to show them what they want to see and learn.  Please keep all the Great Ideas coming and I will do my best to get to each of them as quickly as I can.

In this Video, Serger Basics:  Part 1, I'm demonstrating how to thread each of the 4 threads on this machine to do a Four-Thread Ultra-Stretch Mock Safety Stitch.  The first photo is a picture of the top of the stitching and the second is a photo of the lower stitching.

This is the stitch that I use most on this machine.  It's the perfect stitch for joining knit seams easily.  It allows just the right amount of stretch for your knit's and by using both needles, it provides a safety seam that can withstand the wear and tear of an active wear garment.  I show how to thread the machine with different color threads that coordinate with each of the 4 colors denoted on the tension adjustment disks and each of the thread paths.  The left needle thread path is colored in turquoise and the right needle thread path is colored in lime green.  The upper looper thread path is colored in orange and the lower looper thread path is colored in yellow.  By showing you how to thread your machine using these matching color threads to each individual thread path, you will see exactly what part of the serger stitch is created by each of the threads.  This also makes it easy to spot a problem with your stitch by accessing that each color is working properly to create the stitch.  I show you how to read your stitch and make adjustments to your dials and also how to adjust the stitch length.

Threading Tips:

The most important thing to remember when threading and setting up any stitch or changing your thread color on this machine is to make sure your tensions disks are set to 0 and your presser foot is up and not engaged.  This is a habit I've had for years and it's served me well.  It makes it easier for the thread to slide right into tension disks.  This is the #1 problem people have when attempting to set up a stitch on the serger.  It can be frustrating and disappointing to think the thread it traveling properly through the disk when it's not.  By setting the machine to neutral, this error can be avoided.

I know it seems like a tedious process to do all these steps to set up a stitch, but it's worth taking the time in the beginning for the best results.  I find that I have little adjustments to make when I have the book next to me setting up the tension dial with the right combination for a particular stitch.  For each stitching operation this machine can be set up to stitch has a different combination and I never remember.  Pages 5 and 6 in your machine manual are like "cheat sheets" explaining and illustrating each of the stitches and the settings for each of those stitches.

I also show where the screws are located to remove and insert both needles in this machine.  These needles are very close together and so are the screws that hold them in place.  It's not hard to change or insert the needle, but a little tedious.  Luckily, the perfect sized screw driver comes with this machine to make this operation easy.

This machine comes with a few accessories

1.  A small screw driver for inserting the needles and to adjust the presser foot pressure.  The machine's presser foot pressure is set by the factory to suit medium weight fabrics.  

2.  A large tweezer to help with threading the machine in difficult areas.

3.  A small pack of serger needles.  This machine uses Singer needle #2022 sizes 80/11 or 90/14.

4.  A spreader.  I will be explaining what the spreader is used for later in this series when I demonstrate how to set up the machine to do the Two-Thread Wrapped Edge Overlock and the Two-Thread Standard Rolled Hem Stitch.  Each of these stitches are capable of being stitched in 2 widths depending on using the right or left needle.

Thanks for your interest in this new series.  Even if you don't own this model or brand serger, this information should be helpful for you to start learning and using your machine.

Have a Happy Creative Day!!

Roxanne