Welcome to Serging Have you ever wondered how store-bought garments or home décor items get those perfectly stitched finished seams? Well, you can achieve this same professional finish on your own projects—with the help of a serger! A serger, also known as an overlock machine, is different from a standard sewing machine. Although both machines sew stitches, they sew them differently. Each machine works best for different aspects of the sewing process. Just as a kitchen has a stove and a microwave oven, every sewing room should have a sewing machine and a serger. A serger helps make many of your sewing tasks faster and easier. It also allows you to create many specialty effects that aren’t possible with your sewing machine. Once you start working with a serger, you’ll be amazed at how much time you save. You’ll love the results, too. Soon, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one! Have fun! You can sew it! First Time Sewing with a Serger ALL ABOUT SERGERS If you’ve never sewn with a serger, you’re in for a treat. Sergers are wonderful machines that trim the fabric edge, overcast it, and sew a seam all at the same time. They also sew lovely embellishment stitches and tightly rolled hems. Your serger will soon become one of the most useful tools in your sewing room. It’s not difficult to use—and you’ll soon appreciate how much more quickly you can sew and how professional looking your finished results will be! SEWING WITH A SERGER Before you start your project, take some time to learn how your serger sews. Even if you are familiar with a standard sewing machine, it’s a good idea to practice sewing with a serger to get the feel for it. A serger’s threading and thread tension are different from a sewing machine’s. Also, the serger’s blade cuts away part of the seam allowance as you stitch. You should know what to expect and how to guide the fabric through the machine. Once you’re comfortable with how the machine works, you’ll be ready to dive right in and start sewing! SERGER STITCHES There are many wonderful serger stitches. Each stitch is especially suited to a different type of sewing, but you can creatively embellish with them, too—especially if you work with decorative thread. Which stitches you use, and how you use them, depends in part on the type of serger you have—each type has a different number of threads, needles, and loopers. After you’ve chosen a stitch, you may need to thread your serger in a specific way, change the needle position, adjust the tension, change the presser foot, or disengage the blade—so always check the machine manual for the specific setup. Here are some of the basic stitches you’ll work with as you make the projects in this book. The Absolute Beginner’s Guide--Learn By Doing * Step-by-Step Basics + 9 Projects THREADS, TOOLS, AND NOTIONS There are so many thread choices for serging! You’ll work with regular sewing thread to construct your project, but when it’s time to add embellishment, you’ll enter the world of decorative specialty threads, fine ribbons, and yarns. Threads come in a variety of beautiful fibers. The projects in this book show you how to make the most of these materials. There are lots of different sewing tools and gadgets, too, but you need only a few basic ones to be all set to sew. HOME DÉCOR PROJECTS One of the fastest ways to update the look of a room is to change its accessories. Your serger helps you create home décor accents that have real style and a professional look—and are very easy to make! You can sew a blind hem for a curtain in no time. It’s simple to make coordinating tiebacks to hold open the curtain panels, too. Embellish small and simple accessories with serger stitches to add custom-designed decorator details. Try weaving ribbons through the flatlock stitch or create texture on a pillow with the cover stitch—or simply add a neat decorative edge to a length of a luscious fabric to make a cozy throw. FASHION PROJECTS A serger makes it extra easy for you to step out in style. It’s the perfect companion for your sewing machine. It stitches and trims seam allowances all with one pass—so sewing is faster than with a standard machine alone. The serger also offers a variety of specialty stitches that are not only useful, but lovely to look at, too. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to make a quick-to-sew, flirty peasant skirt with gathers and a classy lightweight wrap with fringe. You’ll also find fun accents—a wraparound belt with leather cord ties and embellishments to dress up any garment. There so many choices—the hardest part will be deciding which to make first!
✔ Author(s): Becky Hanson,Beth Ann Baumgartel
✔ Title: First Time Sewing with a Serger: The Absolute Beginner's Guide--Learn By Doing * Step-by-Step Basics + 9 Projects (Volume 8) (First Time, 8)
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (480 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 1631597140
✔ ISBN-13: 9781631597145
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about First Time Sewing with a Serger by Becky Hanson
Daphne Garner
The rich historical context of the book added a layer of depth that I found fascinating. It was like stepping back in time and experiencing history firsthand.
Iris Watts
I'm already planning to reread this book. It's one of those stories that you can revisit again and again, discovering new layers of meaning each time.
Violet Tyler
This is a book I'll cherish and recommend to everyone. It touched my soul and made me reflect on life's profound mysteries.
