How to Sew in the Tails With a Serger

After serging seams, anchor the tails to finish them.

When you want high-quality seams with neat seam allowances, a serger can help you achieve these goals. Because a serger sews a seam and overlocks the edges of the fabric simultaneously, projects have less bulk from seam allowances. After you finish serging seams, you will find thread tails at your starting and stopping points. Sew in the tails with a serger to finish the stitching and keep it from unraveling.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Instructions

1. Finish serging the seam by sewing off the end of the fabric about two stitches with the serger. Do not cut the thread.

2. Lift the presser foot and slide the thread from the metal stitch finger that moves back and forth beneath the needles. The stitch finger creates the looper stitches that overlock the fabric edge.

3. Flip the fabric over and place it back into the serger at the edge of the fabric to enable you to reverse the direction you were serging.

4. Serge along the same stitching for about 1 to 2 inches and then stop sewing.

5. Lift the presser foot and pull the threads out about 2 inches from the needles and loopers.

6. Clip all threads flush with the fabric.

7. Sew in the tail at the point where you started serging by inserting the point of a yarn needle about 2 inches through the overlock stitches. Thread the tail through the eye of the needle and pull the needle through to sew the tail through the overlock stitches. Clip the end of the tail flush with the fabric.

References

• Utah State University; Sewing with Serger Basics; Margie P. Memmott; February 2001