Danielle-- There is a simple adjustment you can make to fix this.
Your serger has differential feed (unless it's VERY old), which means there are 2 sets of feed dogs under the presser foot, and they can be adjusted to go at different speeds. Depending on the fabric you are serging, you will need to adjust the differential feed knob one direction or the other. Look in your manual--there should be illustrations of wavy edges (like you got) or gathered edges, and how to adjust the differential feed to correct each situation. What I do is use a scrap of my fabric to test before I sew the actual seam. Then is the edge is ruffling or stretching, I adjust the feed. If you don't have the manual, check out serger books at the library or book store, or just experiment with your knob on scrap fabrics. You will be amazed at what a difference that differential feed makes.There is an article in Threads Apr/May '00 issue titled "Make Sense of Your Serger's Differential Feed" that should help. Taunton published a very good how-to book for sergers, Serging Fine Fabrics. I've seen it discounted at Hamilton Books. Kim--who resisted learning to serge for many years before discovering what a wonderful tool the darn thing is! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Danielle Nunn-Weinberg Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 11:33 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: [h-cost] serging knits help please! Greetings, I've just found out my cousin is pregnant and have been trying to make some baby clothes for her. Unfortunately, most of the patterns ask for knit fabrics (which I've always avoided like the plague) so I tried serging the edges of each piece. By doing that the edge of each piece was really stretched in the process, even washing and drying didn't get it completely back because of the way the stitches are. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to serge the wretched fabric without it being completely pulled out of shape? I'm kind of at my wits end over this and about ready to defenestrate the wretched machine... Cheers, Danielle _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
