1. SERGER SAVVY

2. One of the best ways to extend the life of a sewn garment or craft item is to FINISH the seams.

3. Special seams can be sewn French, Flat-Felled

4. or they can either be zig-zagged or serged.

5. The serger is also called an OVERLOCK MACHINE that STITCHES, TRIMS, & OVERCASTS, in one step.

6. A conventional sewing machine sews from 700 – 1100 stitches/minute and a serger sews up to 1700 stitches/minute.

7. Sergers have 2 upper needles and 2 lower loopers that interlock, making stitches.

9. Sergers also have a KNIFE that trims fabric as you serge.

10. Our classroom sergers have 4 spools of thread that fit on spool rods. Always make sure that the threads are following through the thread guides and aren’t tangled.

11. The on/off button is located on the right lower side of the serger just above the power cord. Please turn it off when you are finished.

12. There are tensions on the back of the top part of the serger. Make sure the thread is correctly placed in the tension and down the front of the serger before you sew.

13. If you sew too fast over fabric that is too thick, you may break a needle. If you do, please tell Miss Lewis and put a new one in with the flat side of the needle toward the back just like the Bernina sewing machines.

14. Where should trimmed fabric be placed?

15. You’re right!

16. The hand/fly wheel should ALWAYS be turned FORWARD because sergers cannot backstitch. See demo. On how to “tie off” the beginning and end of serged seams.

17. BECAUSE sergers don’t use a bobbin and bobbin case like a regular sewing machine, They can’t backstitch like a regular sewing machine.

18. Pins should NEVER be cut with the knife of the serger. If pins are necessary to hold the seam in place, put them 1 inch away from the cut edge.

19. When you are finished with your seam on the serger, CHAIN off for about 4” and then swing it around under the foot and KNIFE will cut it off.

20. Thread for the serger should be polyester/cotton. The thread should be the same kind or brand for each spool.

21. Sergers are great machines. Remember the following: A. Faster is NOT better. CAREFUL is. B.The serger is turned on when you start and off when you STOP. C. The threads are UNTANGLED in the thread guides. D.The needles are THREADED. E.You put cut seam allowances, threads, etc. in the GARBAGE.

22. See serger demo. And make serger sample. Hand it in stapled to this paper. 1. Parts 2. Threading 3. Needles 4. Tensions 5. Placement 6. Knotting