Replies

1. 
   carolfresia | May 03, 2005 11:38pm | #1

   Hi, Valerie,

   Now is the time to mess around with the new serger! It sounds to me as if you need to change the differential feed setting. You'll want to increase the diff. feed from N "neutral," I believe) to a higher number. Start at N (or 1, if that's on your dial) and sew some test scraps, increasing the setting until your seam stops waving.

   Increasing the diff. feed makes the front feed dogs on the serger feed faster than the rear set, so that your fabric is sort of squishes more fabric into each stitch, so that knits don't have time to stretch out between stitches (which causes the wavy edge you've encountered).

   If you're intimidated by the idea of turning those unfamiliar dials and knobs, give your dealer a call and ask for a lesson--and be sure to bring along some slinky so you get the answer you need.

   Carol

1. 
   SewNancy | May 04, 2005 03:27pm | #2

   Thread ran an article about serging different fabrics and keeping a file of what settings you used.  It also gives a good order for adjusting your machine.  I also agree that the differential feed needs to be on, probably all the way.  Also, my knits book says that you need to use a 5/8" sas for slinky, even though some patterns for knits have 1/4" only.  I keep a file with sample pieces of fabrics I have serged with the settings. 

   Nancy

1. 
   vmorris828 | May 06, 2005 05:55pm | #3

   Hi, Iam sergering on slinky knit right now. What I need to know  how to press my seams  & hem? I did increase DF after I did one seam normal. I had wavy seam.  Also can you use the higher DF to serge fleece? Valerie

1. 
   MegVT | May 07, 2005 12:25pm | #4

   Nancy,

   You have permission to mess around with all the tension knobs.  Since each machine is different, it is difficult to tell you exactly where to set the tension knobs - so pull out your scraps and experiment.  You won't hurt your machine.  Does your machine's manual give you some directions you can begin with?

   Meg

2. 
   SewNancy | May 08, 2005 10:41pm | #5

   Top stitche hems can be a problem.  The best luck that I have had is using a light weight tear away stabilizer under the hem, double needle and wooly nylon for the bobbin .

   Nancy

1. 
   Sewbusy | May 16, 2005 04:28am | #6

   I have been experimenting with slinky recently too. I have had good luck using a very soft double sided fusible tape for hems. It is 3/8 inches wide and had paper on one side so that it can be pressed to the wrong side of the slinky then the paper is pulled off and it is pressed to permanently attach the facing to the garment. I then use a double needle to stitch from the right side of the garment through the fusable. I also found that lengthing the stitch made it look nicer.

2. 
   SewNancy | May 16, 2005 11:43pm | #7

   I will try this.  I have used the narrower tape for different purposes and have loved it.

   Nancy