Using Your Serger to Sew Stretchy Fabrics

The overlock machine, or serger has certainly improved garment construction with its speed and professional finishing ability; but many sewers are in a quandary about how and when to use different serging techniques and stitches.

For best results with stretch fabrics, serge the seams and attach ribbing using a 4-thread mock safety stitch. The extra row of stitching adds the strength that a stretchy seam requires. The 4-thread safety stitch works particularly well with two-way stretch fabrics, such as spandex, and is the perfect seam for bathing suits and leotards.

Control the stretch of knit, loosely woven and bias-cut fabric by reinforcing seams with twill tape, Stay-Tape (a fine sheer tricot), clear plastic, or a serger-tail-chain.

Feed the Stay-Tape through the slot of a standard presser foot on your serger (if it has a slot through which to feed the tape – as do the Baby Lock sergers) while serging the seam.

In this short video you will see Pam Carter, Sewing Center Director at Mary Jo's Cloth Store demonstrate how to serge a seam in knit fabrics with Stay-Tape.

http://youtu.be/beFi7ZXUsX4

For more serger tips and techniques, join us on April 11-12, 2014 for our Serger Event featuring Baby Lock expert Joan Friedrich. To learn more and to reserve your seat, call 704-861-9100. 

Saturday Serger Club

Every second Saturday of the month sewing enthusiast gather together for the “Serger Club”, from 9 – 11 am in the sewing department at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store.

Club leader and instructor Pam Carter really knows her way around a serger.  Each month Pam demonstrates new techniques and shares fun and creative projects with the group. 

 This month we will discover the many ways to use the Chain Stitch.

You’ve undoubtedly seen this stitch used to close bags of pet food, sugar and even flour. On the right side the stitching looks like regular machine stitching, but on the underside, the stitch forms loops. Club is located in the Mary Jo’s Sewing Center- Baby Lock sergers will be set up for hands on experience! You don’t need to own a Baby Lock to come, we welcome all serger owners to our club!

We invite you to join Pam and the rest of the group for monthly serger club fun.  You don’t need to bring your machine but you do need to register in advance. Call 704-861-9100 to reserve your spot in the next Serger Club meeting on March 8, 2014.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Calling All Serger Fans

An exciting new club launches at Mary Jo’s

Mary Jo’s is partnering with Baby Lock Sewing Machines to launch the area’s first local Serger Club. Each month, learn the latest features, news and accessories for your Serger machine and enjoy hands on experience with the professionals. Join Pam Carter as she demonstrates a new Serger project every club meeting.

Why sign up for the club? It creates the unique opportunity for Serger lovers from all over the state to ask questions and study from industry leaders in an intimate setting. No matter the brand of the machine, the Mary Jo’s Serger Club will help everyone dust off their closet-machines with exciting new techniques and ideas.  

The inaugural club meeting is Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., at Mary Jo’s. 

Members will learn how to spice up home décor with Serger pin tuck and Serger wave tuck tutorials. A small monthly fee is required. To register for the Mary Jo’s Serger Club, please email Aimeeg@maryjos.com.