Serger Basics | Stitch Lab Episode 9

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|Sponsored| If you’ve listened to the Sew & Tell Podcast, you won’t be surprised to find a lot of serger lovers in our ranks. Sergers are a must-have for garment sewists, particularly if you plan to sew knits. A serger can help you get the professional seams and finishes you find in RTW garments. Finish seam allowances on wovens, create stretchy knit seams, and discover how to get started with your serger in Stitch Lab Episode 9. Join special guest Gabby Brown and hosts Meg and Amanda for a chat all things sergers, including why you need one, when to use one, and tips for starting and stopping a serger seam.

Then it’s over to the lab for a few experiments. First, learn to re-thread a serger with the tie-on method. Then, serge an easy headband (in under 2 minutes!), and finally, serge a t-shirt quickly with tips from Meg.

Follow along with Meg, Gabby & Amanda as we discuss:

Serger Basics
When to Use a Serger
Starting and Ending a Serger Seam
Threading a Serger
Serging a Headband
How to Serge a T-shirt

Watch Stitch Lab Episode 9: Serger Basics

Though I’m a relatively recent convert, I am fully team serger now. I think I was initially intimidated by the knife, the threading and the multiple thread tension issues, but now I’m as comfortable using my serger as I am with my sewing machine. I didn’t think I’d see that day! The serger is a great companion to a sewing machine, but there are also so many things you can do fully on the serger, from creating easy ruffles to stretchy hems to decorative finishes that mimic readymade garments. And I’ve found that my clothes last longer over time. Where I used to get raveling through zigzag stitching, my serged seam allowances stay nice and tidy, preserving my seams and the fabric through washes and wear.

Stitch Lab is brand new video series brought to you by the hosts of Sew & Tell Podcast and our partners at Singer. We like to think of this series as an extension of the podcast, with all the helpful sewing tips and tricks, sewing puns and antics you’ve come to expect from hosts Meg Healy, Kate Zaynard and Amanda Carestio.

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