×
×
homepage logo

Serger seems can be tricky

By Eleanor Mckee - | Feb 9, 2000

She’d worn it only once and a seam ripped out (ever happen to you, more than once for most of us). The problem, a loosely woven fabric with a serged seam. She was able to repair it, she’d caught it in time. However, that very narrow seam allowance of the serger just left almost nothing to work with.

I usually find myself actually checking those seams on a garment I’m about to purchase. Then, many times even before I wear it, I’ve even restitched some of those seams. When I do that, I stitch over the seam itself and then again, between the seam and its edge, right over the serging threads, a very narrow area to work in I’ll grant you. But using a shorter stitch does make it stronger. Some fabrics won’t tolerate that much thread on a seam however, so be careful.

It’s still wise to toss washable fabrics into the washer and dryer to remove the sizing and allow for shrinkage before making the garment. Many times, skipped stitches can be caused by the sizing in the fabric becoming sticky on the needle as you stitch. If this does happen, try a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to clean the needle. You may have to repeat it several times.

Time on your hands? Our teachers are certainly in need of volunteer help. Here again, those children can and do teach us so much, just listen to them. Hats off to Kalie A. Hileman this week for her great letter to the editor and all of us. Yes, my dear, Kalie, we do care and we do listen to all you kids. After all, you are our leaders of tomorrow. There are so many great kids out there, love ’em all. Aunt Norie, P.O. Box 265, Tonganoxie, 66086-0265.