Putting the New Serger to Work

I finished a project with the new serger. I love the fabric, but I'm thinking this is not such a good look for me. It's a lot of print for a big girl.

I got the fabric from G Street. This is super nice fabric. I'm pretty sure it's silk. It's from the infamous 2.97 table. There was only about a yard and 1/8, so I really had to squeeze in the pattern pieces.

The pattern is Burda mag Burda Plus Autumn/Winter 2009/10 - 403

I used the 4 thread overlock for all seams except the back neck edge. I used the coverstitch for the hems.

I have made three versions:

Silver

Maroon

Black

I did make the cowl shorter in this version. The unaltered pattern shows quite a bit of cleavage.

I folded out 4 inches from the cowl. I think in the future, I'll just take in 3 inches.

The sewing experience started out bad. I couldn't convert my new serger back to Overlock from the coverstitch. I had to take it back to G Street. Of course it was one simple lever. The 4 thread overlock stitch is beautiful. I then had to convert it back to coverstitch for the hems. I think I can probably do this conversion in 5 minutes if I knew all the tricks by heart, but I got diverted 20 minutes trying to figure how to thread the bottom looper. Of course the user's guide is totally user unfriendly. I finally found the info that the needles have to be in the lowest position.

I'm also not super happy with the tension on the coverstitch. It's perfect with a woven, but with this unstable knit, I'm going to have to adjust the tension more. I'm going to have to have the G Street folks help me out with this during my serger classes.

It's Here!!

Finally - a coverstitch. It was the one sewing toy that I was missing (OK - if my weight didn't fluctuate like the wind I'd get a dress form, and a gravity flow iron would be nice, and I like a steam press, and .... but I digress).

Yes, I went whole hog and got the top of line Bernina serger.

Bernina 1300DMC

This machine is not for the faint of heart (you folks who vehemently argue for a mechanical over computerized sewing machines - stay away, far, far away). It produces 24 different stitches and multiple computations of each.

It is easier to thread than my 134, but and this is a big BUT there are lots of different ways to thread it for the lots of different stitches.

The LCD screen is really cool. It tells you how to thread it and the tensions to use.

I bought it at G Street. It comes with 2 to 3 classes to learn how to use it (depending on how long it takes for you to get it!) The classes are good because they provide you with ideas for using the different stitches. So far I have been able to do the overlook, super stretch, and a couple of different coverstitches.

It also comes with a elasticator foot and a blind hem foot.

Bill says for the price I should be able to throw fabric at it and a 3 piece suit should pop out.

I do spend money on my machines, but they are used. My uncle got my aunt a top of the line sewing machine at one point. He determined the per garment cost was around $400 for how much she used it.

One complaint - Bernina for God's sake PLEASE hire me to write a new user's manual. I have written or reviewed many in my career and this by far the WORST ever. Each procedure comes in 5 different languages on the SAME page. It makes it virtually impossible to easily find anything.

Disaster!

I hooked my foot on the power cord for my serger. The serger went flying and fell around 3 feet to the wood floor. I also went sprawling on the floor after smacking my knee and foot.

Oh, the horror. I was sure that this was the end of my serger. I bought it in 1991 used! It is at least 20 years old.

The picture below shows parts I found on the floor.

One of the great things about this serger is that it is relatively easy to thread. (Easy for a serger). I usually cut the thread in the back and tie on the next spools. As long as I move the tension to zero and cut the knots off before the thread passes the eye of the needles (you don't have to do this for the loopers), I can re-thread this serger in about 3 minutes. That seems pretty good. I keep reading blogs from serger owner that seem to do anything to avoid changing the thread on their serger. Apparently, it is too time consuming to bother. The knot trick should make most thread changing bearable.

I was distraught and my husband agreed to let me buy a new serger.

Now for the big surprise, after being dropped 3 feet - this puppy still works. The tension is off a little, but I think that can be fixed. If you do not have a serger, run, don't walk to get yourself a 134. I see them on Ebay for under $200 all the time.

I have purchased a new serger. It is on order. Apparently you can't walk into a store and bring home a high end serger.