Serger Help Needed...After I sew a standard serged seam, when I put a bit of stress on it, the stitches kind of separate a bit on the right side of the fabric..It's not a tight seam...what do I need to adjust? This is a new problem and I don't quite know how to solve it...Thanks, Cuties!

tighten the needle tensions slightly.

1 comment

by dragonflyer 24 Nov 2013

Thanks...I'll give that a try...need to just sit down and take some time to test....

I think that's kind of common. If you use 3-thread or 4-thread overlock and you pull from the right side, you can see what you described. 4-thread is stronger than 3-thread. I think I'd only use that for seaming knit fabric. You could adjust the stitch length to improve it. Shorten the stitch length to about 2 and it should be better if the tension is right.

If you do woven, I would do 3-thread or 4-thread plus a row of chain stitch, which is called safety stitch.When I tried to make children's pants or my husband's pajama pants, I noticed that's what the store-bought items used.


Unfortunately, I don't think your 26-year old machine can do that. You have to have a coverstitch machine to do the safety stitch.

1 comment

by dragonflyer 22 Nov 2013

Thanks for your thoughts...I will try a shorter stitch and a tad bit tighter tension.

Any chance you could show a picture?
Which brand serger do you have?
Do you have a differential adjustment you can make?
Check above the tensioners to see if your thread is snug in the guides.

1 comment

by dragonflyer 22 Nov 2013

Thanks, I will try testing again...I have a 26 year old Janome and it does have differential adjustments...perhaps I will try that too!

Sounds like it could be tension. If you have a manual it should have a section for solving problems like that. I looked in my book and didn't find anything specific for that. Do some test stitching slightly adjusting one tension at a time. If it doesn't change move it back to the set number and try another one. Also check to see if all threads are securely between the tension disks.

3 comments

by dragonflyer 22 Nov 2013

Thanks, I will give it a try...

by myolson 22 Nov 2013

I would suggest trying to adjust the needle threads tension just a little bit. Needle threads are what you are seeing as you pull open the fabrics.

by dragonflyer 24 Nov 2013

Thanks...I wasn't sure if it was the loopers or needle threads..I'll give it a try...