Serge to Your Full Potential!

Did you know April is National Serger month? If you have a serger, want one, or need some extra training, this is a sign! Get started by downloading a free e-book from Baby Lock: 11 New Serger Projects for Sewers of All Skill Levels.

A serger is a fantastic tool for quick projects, especially those using knit fabrics, as the serger stitch has built-in stretch. But sergers are great for woven fabrics too, as they finish the seam allowances as they stitch. I love one-stop-sewing!

Not only is a serger great for construction, you can use it to create embellishments too. Use decorative thread to create a pretty thread chain to use as belt loops or even jewelry. Some sergers have a coverstitch capability, which creates beautiful thread embellishments on the project right side, made even more spectacular with decorative thread. A serger can also gather fabric and create pintucks, all with just a few setting adjustments.

Learn about basic serger stitches and how to use them to create a gathered skirt and easy pattern-free top in Serger Smarts in the April/May ’15 issue of Sew News, on newsstands now! (Find digital and physical copies at shopsewitall.com.)

For more serger information, purchase the Serger Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting webinar at shopsewitall.com.

In this web seminar you will learn:

• Serger components—where they are and what they do
• Overlock stitches and best choices for various construction techniques
• What is differential feed and how to manipulate it
• Common operator technique errors and how to correct them
• Stitch length and width—get the right settings
• Tension settings
• Cover stitch—major differences between cover stitch and overlock functions

Then pick yourself up some performance knit swimsuit fabric and serge yourself a sweet suit for summer! Get the pattern for this stylish one-piece suit by Project Runway’s Michelle Lesniak here.

Happy sewing (& serging!)

~Nicki