For my Christmas, I splurged and bought myself a new Juki serger and I love it!
Sergers sew, cut, and finish seams all in one step. They also wrap the thread around the front and the back of the fabric, which allows it to hold up much better through repeated washes. It kind of takes the human error out of sewing. And I think they’re awesome.
I don’t use mine for sewing clothing though, I use my serger for sewing around the edges of the linen I draw my rug hooking patterns on. I like how the serger gives my patterns a more smooth and professional look rather than just folding the edges under and going over them with a regular sewing machine.
If you’ve never used a serger before, and are thinking about investing in one, here are a couple of tips to get you started.
10 Serger Tips for Beginners
Read the manual and watch a video.
I know, I know, it’s not a profound tip, but seriously, when is the last time you read the manual of something you bought from front to back? This is one of those things you really need to read the manual on. Get to know your serger. Take it to dinner and movie if you have to–just really get to know it individually.
Thread the machine over and over.
Unless you have a “self-threading” model, practice threading your machine over and over. Threading a serger can take forever at first, getting proficient at it will help you actually get to the sewing a lot faster.
You cannot sew on pins.
Because a serger sews and cuts, you will need to either learn to pin much, much higher than where you were actually sewing or sew without them.
Go slow.
This is hard at first, if you are used to zipping through something with a sewing machine, but if you get going too fast, remember a serger cuts too, so you can’t just go back and rip out the seam and start over. You have to be slow and calculated.
Clean the lint out of the serger frequently.
Keep your investment {both the serger and the fabric you’re sewing} in great shape by making sure the serger runs tip top.
Practice on scrap fabric.
Pay attention how you line up your scrap fabric, how fast you are moving, how to accurately you’re sewing. If you make a mistake with scrap fabric during the learning process, you won’t be out anything.
Buy good quality thread.
It will sew soooo much better if you just suck it up and buy the higher quality thread. No catching, no breaking–just happy, happy serging.
Watch the blade, and not the needle as you sew.
The blade is doing the most permanent damage, so guide your fabric based on that.
If you are in the market for a serger, make sure to choose one that is easy to thread.
Historically, people have dreaded getting a serger for that reason. Technology has come a long way, though, and they are much, much easier now {especially if you do a little research}.
Sergers don’t backstitch.
So remember to knot off your thread when you finish.
There’s been a little bit of learning curve for sure, but now that I am getting the hang of my new machine and the different types of stitches, I am in love with my new serger.
How about YOU? Do you own a serger? Do you have tips you want to share?
~Mavis
Christie says
I’ve never heard of this! All very interesting.
Heather C. says
What brands of thread do you recommend? I never know what to buy.
Diana says
Serger thread is 2 ply versus 3 ply for regular sewing. I order 12,000 yard cones from a wholesale source.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve only used MaxiLock thread.
Diana says
I owned a custom design workroom with 18 employees for years. We had several Pfaff commercial sergers and people would use them all day. A few tips I would add is to wear a mask when you serge. All that lint is flying up in the air and is not good to breathe in. I also use a blower to keep the machine clean. Keep track of how long you have used the needle and change it as needed. Keep a spare cutter blade on hand as they get dull over time. When you serge keep the edges lined up perfectly so the blade is only cutting off threads, not chunks of fabric. I currently have a commercial serger in my sewing room that I use for doing the edges of the pillows I sell in my Etsy shop. The serging adds durability to the pillows and they last longer. My last tip is to play some music while you serge, makes it very rhythmic and relaxing to sew. Have fun!
Vicky says
I bought a Juki serger during Covid but have not used it yet. It seemed so daunting. But seeing your tips make me feel like I can and should get going with mine. I know how to sew and have several sewing machines, so I know I can do this! And all that fleece I ordered back then takes up lots of space – time to edge blankets and give them as the gifts they were intended to be!
SueD says
I love my overlockers, and consider them so important that when my first one died, instead of upgrading my sewing machine to the embroidery/sewing machine I wanted, I bought my new overlocker first. Huskylock 936. I also have a Juki overlocker, which is a workhorse.
I buy MaxiLock thread from WAWAK. They have good prices on the cones, and even better ones when on sale. I get a lot of my sewing supplies from them.
Nancy Sadewater says
I snitched a long handle artist paint brush that is quite bushy. I use it to help remove lint, fuzzies and threads from my machines. It is especially helpful for use under the plate and bobbin cases on all my machines.
Kathy Wolfe says
I worked at assembly line sewing factories for many years. Learning to thread the sergers was always a learning experience. We had many brands and they all threaded a little differently.
Sue S. says
Not on my radar screen but I do love a hooking pattern that has been serged. Eliminates loose threads from unraveling.
Linda says
I used both a commercial machine and a home serger in my home. My favorite was the commercial serger. I found it easier to thread than the home serger.
Yes, you can backstitch. Sew off the end of the fabric, just barely. With threads still attached, flip the fabric over and stitch back up the stitches you just made without cutting the edges of the threads, tapering to about an inch. Then, pull the threads through the cutter.
I learned to use a commercial serger at a junior college program where they trained workers for sewing rooms. The instructors were former factory workers.
Use Maxilock thread.
My machines sewed over pins and needles handily. Of course, it was an accident and my blades were dulled. But, don’t do it! Eventually, I learned how to sew without pins.
I used my home serger exclusively for edging napkins I made with a narrow hem, forgot the name of the stitch.
Threading a serger is easier if you use a long pair of tweezers.
Linda says
I just bought a new serger the one I had stitched beautfully but was so difficult to thread that I didn’t use it I did a ton of research and one of the most popular sergers out there was the brother 1040d it is simple to thread and every one that posted said they had theirs for 20 years and had never had an issue with them,, I live in an area that hasn’t sewing machine stores so wanted something dependable.. with proper care these machines will last forever.. as for sewing machines I have 2 jukis an# love them both.
Linda says
Posted earlier meant to say I had a brother 1034d I think I said 1040
Barbara says
I worked for several years in garment factories using a commercial serger, when you needed to change colors you had to clock out to let a mechanic thread the machine, sometimes having to wait 15-30 minutes for one to show up, which costs you time & production. So I came up with an easy way to thread a serger, simply cut the thread above the cone, remove and replace the cone with a new one & tie onto the old thread and trim to the knot. Pull the threads out of the two needles with tweezers & individually tug the knots thru each tension dial, then gently pull the old/new threads thru all loopers etc.