Serger for Quilting
Most quilters don’t think of using their sergers for constructing their quilt tops, but if you’re piecing together long rows of blocks, the serger can be your friend. Sergers sew much faster than a regular sewing machine and they create a perfect seam.
When you are sewing a dark and a light fabric together, do you ever get that overlap of the dark fabric that shows through the light one? Never fear, a serger will create create a perfect cast seam that captures that dark with the light fabric and won’t let it show through.
Many people believe that the bulk of the thread from a serger will cause bulk within their seams. This is not the case. Serged seams lay very flat and don’t add any unnecessary bulk.
Sewing a perfect binding onto the quilt is also very easy. With the differential feed on the serger, the top, batting and backing go together perfecting with your binding and encase them all within a clean crisp edge. Finishing your binding around this crisp edge makes for a perfect finish to your quilt.
Learning to use a serger can be daunting since there are so many moving parts and threads. However the serger manufacturers offer many videos online these days that show you how to thread and use the machine. Always check the website of the manufacturer for new how-to information.
If you are also going to be using your serger for sewing clothing, you might want to invest in a 5-thread serger. A 5-thread serger will give you the nice finished overlock seems that you see on t-shirts. A 4-thread serger doesn’t provide this capability.
If you aren’t sure you want to invest a lot of money into a serger since it will be your second machine, consider the Quantumlock Serger by Singer® (14T967DC). This 5-thread machine has all the bells and whistles needed to sew wonderful quilts and garments. It also comes at a price much lower than other brands. It’s a great machine from a good manufacturer and will give you many hours of wonderful sewing joy!
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March 10th, 2009 at 4:22 amQuilt Groups…
Such a fun filled place! Thanks for sharing. Sarah Jane….
March 26th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I sew my quilt blocks and then I sandwich with batting and batting. I can see my blocks into rows and then I serge the rows.
Once the rows are all serged, I use my sewing machine with a zigzag strong stitch and I join my rows this way. Then I cut shapes using Stitch a Seam adhesive paper and I iron those on my quilt to hide all the stitching.
I have done a quilt and I did not cover my joined blocks stitches and it looks like lace in between the blocks and rows.
I am making a star quilt and the stars are very big so I will sew the block, do the quilting and then I will serge all the squares separately. I will join the again on the sewing machine and I have cut small stars maybe 1 inch big and that is what is going to hide my serger and sewing machine stitches.
I would appreciate any suggestions or advice on quilting with a serger.
thanks-Carmen
April 8th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Thank You for this article .
I am planning to make my first quilt.
I intend to use my serger and have inquired at my local quilt shop about
using it to make my quilt.
Being die hard quilters they looked at me with they same welcome look that a you give
to those folks writing you a traffic ticket .
They rattled off all of the many reasons a guy would never even consider using a
serger to quilt with including those items mentioned in your article .
There is something very soothing about validation and your article validates
the sewing concept that I have and encourages me to continue forward .
I have drawn my own pattern including measurements and intend to proceed forward.
Thanks for being here and sharing .
Paul
April 8th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Paul, congrats on taking on your very first quilt! There are many traditional “purist” quilters out there (just like there are with any hobby) so take any advise you get from anyone with a grain of salt. And do it the way that moves you.
I love to see artists look at traditional concepts through fresh eyes. Some of the most creative quilters I’ve ever met are those that had never even used a sewing machine when they undertook their first quilt. Being new to something can make you look at it ways that others never have.
Good luck with your quilt! I would love to see a picture of it when you’re done!