Stretch Stitch on Serger?

I'm trying to make myself a swimsuit using my new (to me) serger. I have understood that a serger is great for stretch fabrics such as this, but when I sew a seam on scrap fabric, the seam does not stretch. When stretched, the fabric slides along the threads, and if the ends were secured, stretching would probably pop the stitches.

I did figure out how to adjust the differential so that the seams lie fairly flat, but for a swimsuit, the seams must also stretch, and I haven't been able to accomplish that.

My serger is a Janome New Home 334D. What am I doing wrong?

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick
Loading thread data ...

You need a stretchy thread to sew swimwear/gymskins on a serger. Wooly Nylon is probably the best known brand.

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Reply to
Jenn Ridley

you don't say which serger stitich you are using. A three or four thread would be ideal. Do not use a chain stitch. The needle tension thread should be loose enough that you can stress the seam without any popping. It sounds like your needle tension might be too tight. Also try woolly nylon in your loopers; it has a lot more resiliency than regular thread.

Reply to
small change

I'm using four threads, and I'll try loosening the needle tension. Can you buy wooly nylon at JoAnn's or Wal-Mart? Those are the only places nearby where I can buy sewing supplies, but they are both forty miles away, and I've never actually seen wooly nylon at either one. Never actually looked for it either, though. Do you use wooly nylon in the needles too, or just the loopers?

Thank you for your help! I've been sewing for years, but am very new to the serger.

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick

Wow! Loosening the tension really did the trick. I'll try the wooly nylon too, but right now I don't have access to it. Thanks, Penny and Jen!

Donna G. Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Reply to
Donna Gennick

soon you'll know why I haven't purchase a commercial swim suit in 20 years.

Penny

Reply to
small change

Joann's usually has it on the racks of serger thread (not the binds)

I usually use it in both, but I've had success using it in just the needles. It's actually more important in the needle than in the looper.

Use a three thread stitch, unless you really need the strength. I used three thread seams on all of DDs gymskins, and she passed them down to smaller gymnasts when she was done with them.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Reply to
Jenn Ridley

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.