How to Sew with Sergers
A serger is a type of sewing machine that is used to close seams and prevent fraying at fabric edges. Unlike a standard sewing machine that uses only two threads, a serger uses four to five threads at once and applies the thread to the fabric at high speeds. A serged seam is especially useful on knit fabrics that are prone to fraying and for holding seams together on stretchy fabrics. Sergers were once reserved for use only by commercial and professional seamstresses, but affordable models are now available to the hobby sewer.
Instructions
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Lift up the presser foot and slide the fabric under foot.
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Line up the fabric with the needed seam allowance on the right side of the machine; there should be measurements on the serger to use as a guide. When it is properly positioned, set the presser foot down on the fabric.
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Press down gently on the foot pedal to start the machine; it will pull the machine through while sewing the seam, but you should still guide it by hand.
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Continue to run the serger after you have finished sewing the edge, leaving a trail of serged threads from the fabric to the machine. It's important to leave a short trail of threads so the threads stay in place.
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Cut the fabric from the serger threads and then trim the loose threads away from the fabric. The excess fabric is trimmed off with tiny blades as the serger sews the seam.
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Sew back to the beginning if seaming all the way around a piece of fabric. Overlap the stitches an inch or so at the starting point and trim away the extra threads.
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Tips & Warnings
Threading a serger is somewhat complicated, so refer to the specific instructions outlined for your serger model. When the thread is nearly empty, it is easy to rethread the serger by tying a new spool to the old spool.
