White Serger Instructions

Sergers are used to finish seams and hems on clothing and other items.

Overlock machines, also known as sergers, are used in conjunction with traditional lockstitch sewing machine to finish seams, edges and hems, usually with a combination of threads. Sergers are designed to hold large, multiple spools of thread as opposed to a singular bobbin used by lockstitch machines. The White Manufacturing Company, now part of SVP Worldwide, has manufactured overlock machines since the 1870s. Using a White Serger requires setting up the upper looper, lower looper and needles prior to use.

Things You'll Need

• Thread spools
• Accessory case

Instructions

The Threading Process

1. Turn the hand wheel toward you by raising the needle bar to the highest point.

2. Thread the serger in the proper order, starting with the lower looper, then the upper looper, then finish with threading the needles.

3. Turn all four tension controls counterclockwise until they are set at "0" to aid in passing the thread around the thread controls, Pass the thread cleanly through the tension discs and behind each pointed hook when threading each needle.

4. Use the threader and tweezers located in the serger accessory kit to aid in the threading process, if necessary.

Looper Threading

1. Remove thread from the first spool and pass it through the thread guide and the tension control.

2. Move the end of the thread to the thread guide just below the lower looper.

3. Insert threader through the hole on the left side of the lower looper and pass the thread through the thread hole. Loop it around and pass it through the thread hole again.

4. Remove the thread from the threader, then pass it through the hole to the far right of the lower looper. Draw the thread back under the rear of the presser foot, which should leave about 4 inches of thread free.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to run thread through the upper looper.

Needle Threading

1. Follow the green-colored path to thread the needle on the left, taking the thread around the green tension control and the thread guides marked with a "Square" symbol.

2. Thread the needle on the right with thread by following the yellow-colored path, taking the thread around the yellow tension control and through the thread guides marked with a "Diamond" symbol.

3. Thread the yellow tension control by pulling the check spring up past the pointed hook until the thread can be slipped into the hook if overlocking with three threads and using only the right needle.

4. Thread the needles from front to back and under the presser foot, leaving about 4 inches of thread free.

Tips & Warnings

• Always remove the thread from the needles if you need to rethread the lower looper to avoid tangling the thread.

References

• Sew USA: White 534 Superlock Threading Diagram
• White Super Lock Model 534/534D Instruction Manual
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension; Sewing With Serger Basics; Margie P. Memmott
• Funding Universe: White Consolidated Industries Inc.