Do I want a serger? UPDATE!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

The OWNER'S manual that comes with your serger will answer all your questions on tension settings, threading, cleaning, etc. Read it!.

When threading your serger from one color to another, be sure to snip off enough thread  length to tie onto the next color, then snip off excess that might prevent thread from going through the holes..

Tensions should be at O so that threads pull through easy enough until new color is seen.

Snip off excess.

Manually, turn large knob towards you so thst all threads are in the proper position. With tweezers, make sure no threads are caught anywhere underneath the pressure foot.

Set back tensions where they are supposed to be for straight stitching and the loopers.

Do a trial run on scrap fabric. Again, the OWNER'S Manual becomes your trusted friend.

Happy serging!

[Kate XXXXXX]

One thing to note: the 1034D doesn't like pull-throughs very much!  It's much happier being threaded from scratch.  If you DO want to pull through, make sure you slide the threads from the needles off the lower looper first.   

[gem]

Thanks, everyone!

I've been trolling the Independence Day sales, trying to stock up on fabric to experiment with, but I'm not finding a lot of things I love. Lady K, what fabrics do you like for your shirts/chemises with the rolled hems?

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Symphony Broadcloth from JoAnn Fabrics.

Which reminds me. I have to order another 100 yards, then use my 50% or 60% coupons when I do. I make a lot of Chemises and Shirts be they Noble, Pirate, etc.

Also, gem! Get your serger threads on sale. Never pay full price for them! I have 30 different colors, thus 4 spools of each color. That makes for a LOT of spools!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

I buy 3000m cones in commonly used colours or on special offer.  Unusual colours I get as 1000m cops.  But yes, look out for sales!

[gem]

Thanks!

I have unpacked it, and it's now sitting on my sewing table, looking very small and cute and FRIENDLY! It's a very cheery machine, with its compact size and bright colors. It came threaded, with color-coded spools... but half of them fell off their spool pins in transit, so there's an extra challenge! LOL 

Several yards of various fashion knits are on their way for the mundane sewing I sometimes imagine I'll do someday... but I've just splurged on a length of silk-cotton voile from Renaissance Fabrics, for the Promenade Partlet. It was ridiculously expensive, but it apparently wanted to make friends with Little Sister (apparently the serger's new name).

[Kate XXXXXX]

Excellent!

My Bernina serger is (natch!) Bernie.  The Bernina sewing machine is Nina!  Lily is Lily.  And the Brother machine is Brother John, after my bro!

The Husqvarna Viking Optima 190 has just been names Erik the Viking.