serger help!! Simplicity SL350
Athalme Bianca Moonstone
out of the box and sewed a bit without adjusting anything and it was
fine. Looked at the instructions, fiddled around a bit, played with
tensions, etc. Now, when I try to sew, especially lightweight fabrics,
it desn't sew right--- it'll make a thread chain but either not overcast
the edge all the way or make the chain and not even put it on the
fabric! It's cutting the fabric, just not overcasting it... seems like
the fabric "drifts" regardless if I just let the machine feed itself or
if I push or pull the fabric thru! Usually tho if I try heavier weight
fabric like light denim it's fine. I have NO CLUE what the HELL I'm
doing wrong and am so frustrated! They don't have classes for it either
until after New Year's. Can anyone tell me what's wrong? Also the
differential feed doesn't seem to work too well either (and I realize it
has to be a lighter weight fabric). Is it the tension? Machine? I'm SO
annoyed! I tried adjusting the tensions (it's 4/3/2) and even so
lightweight things don't go right.... but when I tried it at the very
beginning without adjusting anything it was a lightweight fabric and the
machine overcasted and fed fine. I don't think the tension settings in
the manual are right because that's what I've been trying to sew with.
Oh yeah, I changed the throat plates too... maybe I didn't screw it back
on right or something? help.... me.... please.... </melodrama>
thanks!!
Bianca :)
SewStorm
It sounds to me, without seeing the machine or what it's doing, that you have a
presser foot tension problem. Check the manual to see if it's possible to
adjust this. Older machines have this adjustment, but I haven't seen one on
newer machines in a long time, so it might not have it.
Hope you figure it out!
Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati
Visit my new website! http://www.sewstorm.com
miesle
tear out stitches when it is removed. Maybe use tissue paper? You said
you changed throat plates--was there a reason? One throat plate is for your
rolled hem and could be the cause for this problem. I would also check if
you have a stitch 'width' adjustment, be sure it is set to its' widest
setting.
I truly hate being negative, but if you sew alot of 'specialty' type fabrics
i.e.., sheers, napped fabric etc. I have found that the Simplicity, Singer,
and Brother sergers don't have the 'range of adjustment' needed to sew
anything but a seam finish on 'normal' fabrics. This is based on my 12
years experience in teaching all levels of serger classes for all makes and
models. I could be wrong about your machine, have someone knowledgeable
check your machine for you--is there someone at the store where you bought
it. And if time allows, why not take your fabric to a dealership that sells
name brand (Viking, Bernina, Pfaff, New Home) sergers and see how they deal
with your fabric?
I hope I was of help
Vicki
Athalme Bianca Moonstone <Nights...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2242-38...@storefull-121.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
e...@bellsouth.net
by babylock! I have never had to do anything other than vacume mine out and
oil it.You can call an 800# and they will help you. But what I would do is
put all your tensions on 4, and work from there to adjust until you get the
stitch you want. You will always have to guide your fabric as it goes thru.
If you are new to serging you need a book like ultimate guide to serging or
some such, I would do a search at amazon.com a good book will do more
than the manual ever can for you. Christina
e...@bellsouth.net
I just have to say I have a simplicity serger like hers, I have had it for 7
years, and have sewn denim to lame' on it! I have sewn cotton with batting in
the middle, and multiple layers of things. learning to serge takes time, and
learning to adjust machines takes some classes, or a good book, I had a good
book. But so far I havent upgraded, because this serger has taken everything I
have thrown at it. Simplicity is made by babylock, and they make a very good
basic serger.
Christina
miesle wrote:
> Bianca, try serging your lightweight fabric with a stabilizer that will not
> tear out stitches when it is removed. Maybe use tissue paper? You said
> you changed throat plates--was there a reason? One throat plate is for your
> rolled hem and could be the cause for this problem. I would also check if
> you have a stitch 'width' adjustment, be sure it is set to its' widest
> setting.
> I truly hate being negative, but if you sew alot of 'specialty' type fabrics
> i.e.., sheers, napped fabric etc. I have found that the Simplicity, Singer,
> and Brother sergers don't have the 'range of adjustment' needed to sew
> anything but a seam finish on 'normal' fabrics. This is based on my 12
> years experience in teaching all levels of serger classes for all makes and
> models. I could be wrong about your machine, have someone knowledgeable
> check your machine for you--is there someone at the store where you bought
> it. And if time allows, why not take your fabric to a dealership that sells
> name brand (Viking, Bernina, Pfaff, New Home) sergers and see how they deal
> with your fabric?
> I hope I was of help
> Vicki
> Athalme Bianca Moonstone <Nights...@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:2242-38...@storefull-121.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
miesle
to clarify my earlier reply, my original message said, quote "I could be
wrong about your machine, have someone knowledgeable check your machine for
I can only go by the experience I have had in my classes with respect to
serger comparisons.
Vicki
nom...@spam.com <e...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:3847E22C...@bellsouth.net...