Question:
My window didn't get TOO smudged from me looking for the UPS man to bring my new serger!
It got here today.
Can you say "intimidating"?!? Knobs and settings and gizmos ... oh my!
DH helped me get it out of the box. It was supposed to be pre-threaded, which it was, but the first thing we saw was that the thread had gotten tangled up. The first two were pretty easy to straighten out, but the last two were a mess. I SO didn't want to have to thread it right off the bat! After spending an hour trying to de-tangle it, I finally gave up and cut the thread on the right-hand spool, pulled it loose from where it had tangled with its neighbor, and re-tied it back to itself. I didn't have to re-thread it. Whew.
I also watched the CD/DVDs that came with it. I hope there's not going to be a test! The video woman made a ruffle/gathers with it. Now THAT was cool!
So far I've serged a little scrap piece of fabric. The tension was pretty easily adjusted, but the color-coded threads helped a lot with that (easier to see what was going on). I did order some wooly nylon thread online (light gray - thanks for the tip!), as well as some cotton thread, but it won't be here for a few days. These little starter spools should keep me busy for a minute or two.
It's louder than I expected, but then again, I've only used my grandmother's serger a few times, years ago, so I don't have much basis for comparison.
The presser foot level is on the "wrong" side! It's "supposed" to be in the back behind the needles. Whose bright idea was it to put it on the right-hand side?!?
Overall it seems like a pretty sturdy machine that'll do what I want it to do (and then some) ... once I stop being skeered of it and actually learn to use it.
Answer:
I will NEVER make ruffles the "traditional" way again!
I set the serger up like the video said, fed a strip of satin material into it, and presto! Instant ruffle!
I made a little pillow with it, and it took me MUCH longer to sew the pillow together than it did for me to make the ruffle. If that tells how fast the ruffle went!
Oh yeah ... I'm hooked!
Here's a photo but it's not very good, and I couldn't re-take it (battery fizzled). And I didn't show the whole thing because it's not completely stuffed yet! And the fabric really should've been ironed first! But you get the idea.
My new Visa gift cards I got off PoshPoints are begging to go to the fabric stores ...
Answer:
Kewl! pillow looks good.
Have fun with your new toy!
Answer:
WooHoo, it sounds like you're off to a great start.
If your noise is from vibration you might try placing the serger on a thin foam pad and see if that helps.
Happy serging.
Answer:
I agree with Joan: Try a thin foam pad or one of those mesh rubberized rubbermaid things that are used in cupboards, etc...
And now it's time to serge around all those towels/washcloths with shredded edges or even turn the worn towels INTO washcloths or shop rags. (Use up old regular spools of thread for the loopers to get close on the colors or just don't worry about the colors.)
And make a bunch of cloth table napkins. Turn cotton flannel into big square baby receiving blankets. All these things will teach you various ways to do corners. And to pull the thread ends back into your work so they don't come undone.
You are off to a great start!
Have fun!
Elaine
Answer:
Moonrise,
I'm a member of an online coop that gets reasonably good prices for thread cones. Here's a message I got this afternoon. PM or email me if you want more info on how to join the group. My only warning about the notions part of the group is that it often takes a LONG time from order to receiving the items...so you should use this source for stocking up, not for last-minute or near future needs. You should also, of course, be sure it's really a good buy with the shipping added in.... I haven't purchased cone thread lately, so I'm not up on current pricing. However, I do stock up on large Mettler Metrosene thread spools every year or two.
We will be ordering four (4) types of Woolly Nylon thread.
Regular WN comes 1094 yds. per spool for $3.20.
Extra WN comes 300 m. per spool for $3.20. This is 3 times the weight
of regular WN. To be used in the upper or lower looper or hand wound
bobbin as a special effect in hemming, satin stitching, free motion
embroidery, etc. wherever a very fluffy or heavy edge is needed.
Variegated comes 1094 yds. per spool, 45 wt. for $4.55.
Metallic comes 547 yds. per spool for $4.55.
Elite serger thread is made by YLI. It is a premium thread
manufactured especially to avoid fuzz and "bumps" that can gum up the
smooth operation of your serger. It comes 1000 yds per spool for $2.60.
The color charts are posted at www.***.com username:
*** password: *** The WN chart is a bit difficult to
see. I will try to get a sharper image posted if I can. Elaine