How to Fix Serger Stitch Flaws

If you own or use a serger, you know how important they can be in your sewing room. Knowing how to use these powerful sewing devices can make everything go much faster, smoother, and more satisfying.

Few things are more important when serging than the quality of the stitch. While these machines are a bit more complicated than conventional sewing machines, they are famous for producing high quality stitches.

Seaming, over-locking, and trimming with a bunch of threads at high speeds is what serging is all about.

Sergers are well known for their professional edge finishes. There are many applications, but they cannot replace an ordinary sewing machine.

In a good stitch, all the threads are where they are suppose to be with tensions appropriately balanced. Good stitches are void of irregularities, puckers, and loops.

A little common sense and serger care are helpful in overcoming stitch flaws in your stitches.

To fix tension problems, first fix thread issues. Re-thread. Make sure the individual tensions are working on each thread. Use distinctive colors of thread and adjust each thread for balance one at a time.

Hiccups happen. Sometimes stitches just mess up. When they do, check threading, tensions, needles, and snags.

Threading, tensions, and snags are the most common problem sources. So re-thread, balance tensions, and eliminate snags. Use good quality threads. Adjust stitch length or width as appropriate.

Faulty stitches often result from faulty set up. This can occur when converting from one setting to another, when threading the machine, or when adjusting the tensions. Be sure to follow your users manual precisely when setting up specific stitches and when converting from one stitch set up to another. If the result does not look right, go back and reset the machine. Re-threading will often correct threading issues. Balance tensions by making certain the threads are properly seated in their tension assemblies and adjusted one thread at a time beginning with the loopers.

To prevent thread breakage, it is essential that you eliminate the causes of the breakage. The common causes include needle issues, tension issues, and burrs. Replace needles. Re-thread and adjust tension balance. Eliminate burrs.

Bad thread is bad and needs to be replaced. Old thread and especially natural fiber threads tend to rot and decay. When you try to serge with rotten threads, they break. Before using a thread make sure it is in good dependable condition.

The common causes of problem in stitches include: needles, threads, tensions, snags, settings, and mechanical adjustments. If you make all the adjustments that you can figure out, have a professional sewing machine technician intervene.

If you trust your machine to a professional, be sure to ask lots of questions. Learn all you can about your serger. Learn from the experts. Pick up tips, tricks, and secrets to successful serging.

You may feel hesitant to say anything, but if you are paying for expert help be bold. Get full value for you investment. The technician may not intend to give you a class on your machine, but that does not stop you from getting all of your questions answered.