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Bought a Serger! Now what?

A few days ago I bought a used New Home (Janome) MyLock 334D serger. I'd never used a serger before, never even seen one in action, but it's been on my "maybe someday" list for several years. Well, "someday" is now! It sure is fun, though, and so far I'm very happy with my purchase.

I bought it from a dealer, who at first thought he had a manual for it, but then discovered he didn't. He has ordered the manual, and will mail it to me when he gets it, (dealer is an hour and a half drive from my home), but in the meantime, I'm kind of using the serger blindly, so to speak. The dealer spent more than an hour showing me how to use the machine, but now that I'm home I have to rely on my memory. I've figured out the threading, and can sew seams, but I'd like to know how to adjust the differential feed for different effects, and how to do other stitches like flatlock and rolled hem. I need another face plate to do rolled hem, but there wasn't one with the machine. The dealer said he would order one and send it with the manual.

So, my question is: Does anyone know of a website that shows basic use of a serger? Our tiny public library has nothing at all about sergers. I've Googled around for a few hours, but not found anything helpful. It's unlikely that I will find a site focused on my particular brand and model, but if I could just find some general information on tensions, differential adjustments, and various stitches, I'd be happy.

Thanks! Now I gotta go play. . .

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick
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Do a quick google search on "using a serger" - LOTS of sites come up!

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

Donna, I got a serger this year for Christmas from DH. I found that playing with it gave me more information than the manual. I also bought the Palmer and Pletch book, Sewing with Sergers. Lots of information. They have another one I plan on buying called Creative Serging. Thay are aboout $10.00 each. The Singer book was also recommended to me. I know that Borders Books has that one. It's just that the store is a bit out of the way and I won't be going there for awhile. I really have enjoyed using it. I did a pretty decorative edging on plain muslin curtains I made for my living room. Keep playing it's fun.. Juno

Reply to
Juno

I'll try that, thanks. I tried "how to use a serger" and got an awful lot of stuff to wade through that just wasn't what I was looking for.

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick

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Palmer & Pletsch books on serging are terrific.
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Pati, and Brown, Gail, Illustrated by Biehler, MichelleSewing with Sergers: The Complete Handbook for Overlock Sewing

Reply to
BEI Design

I have nothing to say that will help you - but congratulations!!!

I so want to try one too.

A
Reply to
Angrie.Woman

Donna, congratulations on your new serger. When I first bought mine I found a good book at books-a-million called Serger Secrets and also Serger Savvy. Both are helpful in projects and also ideas, how to use your machine etc. Good Luck.

Wanda

Reply to
Wanda Moody

Congratulations on your new "toy". I found playing around with it taught me more than any book or manual. Someone mentioned Palmer and Pletsch's books, there are DVDs to accompany them as well and they are excellent, IMOHO. NAYY, just like the books and videos. Emily

Reply to
CySew

Have fun! My sewing room is out of action for a couple of months (it is also our spare room) and it is my serger I really miss.

The instruction book is useful not only for threading, but mine gave me an indication of what adjustments to make for different uses/stitches, and had settings for about 12 stitches I might find useful.

Something that I found invaluable when I started was to keep an example of every new stitch I tried, on several types of fabric, often with examples of different stitch lengths. I would attach a strip of natural calico and write on the calico the details of the settings I'd used. This gave me a reference library of samples and still saves a lot of time. I still add to the library.

Oh and one final suggestion from me. In order to gain confidence with the speed of the serger (heaps faster than my sewing machine) I made a throw of patchwork from my fabric stash. It took me two evenings, all stitching in straight lines, reduced the stash and made a sperb throw for our bed.

Hope this helps

Jill

D> A few days ago I bought a used New Home (Janome) MyLock 334D serger. I'd

Reply to
Jill Tardivel

Thank you to everyone who made suggestions. I especially appreciate all those who offered congratulations on my new toy! From my family, I just get comments like, "But you already have a sewing machine!" or "What's wrong with the sewing machine you aleady have?" "The serger doesn't do embroidery? Then why do you want it?" They just don't "get" it. But, it's nice to come here and talk to people who understand!

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick

Reply to
BEI Design

Wow! Thanks!! ;-) I hope you enjoy them. Reading them in order is a good idea .... as the character evolves. Personally, I think the author's wife had some effect on humanizing the detective. But that's just my opinion. :^D

Reply to
Pogonip

I always try to read novels with continuing characters in chronological order, as you say the characters evolve.

The Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron certainly fall in to that category, and I just ordered the eighth in the series. I read a few of the Tom Clancy books out of order, and ended up going back and re-reading a couple to get up to speed.

Thanks, again, and best wishes to your DH.

Reply to
BEI Design

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