With all those dials and knobs on your serger and all the thread options available, balancing your serger thread tensions can be very intimidating.
Making a tension map can be very helpful. I could show you myself, but why recreate the wheel. Watch this video instead:
Just a few notes of my own:
1. I started with all my dials on a 4. Then I changed the first dial to a 0 and worked my way up. As I found each thread’s ideal tension, I adjusted the dial to that and move one to the next dial on the left.
2. I actually found that I needed to make a second set of tension maps for use when I use woolly nylon in the looper threads. I don’t know if youl’ll need to too.
requires just basic sewing needles. Others need a “serger” needle or a particular style. Whatever brand or model you need, you’ll want to choose the appropriate size needle. For a “regular” weight cotton like a gingham or those cute calicos from HL, you’ll need an 11. For heavier work, like cord or denim or fleece, you’ll want a 14. Basically, you choose the size of your needle based on your fabric choice.
in my looper threads (those two spools on the right). Woolly Nylon is a name brand, so you might see it as Bulky Nylon. I find that this thread is a little more difficult to thread through a needle, but I love the finish it gives my garments.
