Hello all of you sewists! Welcome back to another WonderFil blog! Today we’re here to show you a fantastic way to use the upper loopers on your serger machine for heavy weight embellishment threads to add a little extra fun to your next project!
If you’d like to watch along with us, you can watch our YouTube video here:
Sergers are perfect for finishing edges on any kind of project, and often a lot easier than making a binding. You can create a huge variety of finishings simply by changing the thread without needing to change the settings on your machine. A heavy 8wt thread offers a lot of coverage when stitched out and it looks much more decorative than a regular serger thread would.
So, let’s talk about everything you’ll need to use heavier weight threads on your serger loopers. Apart from the serger itself, the most important thing is the thread you’re choosing for the upper looper. We’re going with an 8wt thread called Dazzle™, which is a rayon thread with one strand of metallic. Because of the touch of sparkle, it’s a beautiful choice for decorative finishes.
You can find Dazzle™ in a store near you, or in our online shop here
You can also choose Razzle™, an 8wt 100% rayon thread for a lustrous finish without the metallic touches!
You can find Razzle™ in a store near you, or in our online shop here
You can use any lightweight serger thread in the lower loopers. If you want it to blend in, be sure to select a colour that matches with your decorative upper looper thread. We’ve decided to use a 50wt cotton called Konfetti™ in our lower loopers, which is our preference because it’s a very low lint thread, meaning it helps reduce lint build up in the machine and keeps it running in good condition for longer.
You can find Konfetti™ in a store near you, or in our online shop here
The last thing you’ll need to keep in mind is a spool base for your upper looper thread. This is a serger accessory and many sergers already come with them when you bought it. You’ll want to use this with your smaller spool of decorative thread and NOT the serger cone, otherwise your thread will tangle coming off the spool and cause tension problems.
Now you can go ahead and thread your machine using the new thread. If you’re not sure how to thread your machine with heavier threads, you can always refer to your owners manual, or do a quick search online for your model! If you’re using a Babylock Ovation you can follow the steps in our video for threading!
Once your machine is rethreaded, we’re ready to stitch! But before we work on our project, always be sure to do a test stitch on a separate piece of fabric to ensure your settings are correct, and that you’re getting the desired result. Here’s a piece we did, and you can see that the serged edge has excellent coverage with the thread.
If you want tighter coverage you can reduce your stitch length. Every machine is a little different so make sure to experiment with what settings work best on yours.
Now that you have your machine set up perfectly, and your test strips are exactly how you wanted them, you can begin to stitch around the edge of your project. We’re working on a beautiful piece of embroidered fabric that would look amazing with a decorative finished edge.
You can see the difference a thick thread makes when finishing a decorative edge because it stands out so much more and fills in the gaps in your serging. You can use this technique on anything from clothes to mini quilts, and I find it easier and quicker than stitching a binding. Experiment and try out a variety of heavy weight threads and see the difference it can make!
And here’s our finished piece! You can see what a difference it makes to have a decorative edge on an already beautiful piece. But a decorative edge isn’t the only thing this technique is good for, you can create some beautiful home décor pieces by stitching across fabric on your serger to create a beautiful pattern for a throw pillow! Check out this tutorial by babylock: https://babylock.com/learn-and-create/inspiration/decorative-cover-stitching-on-a-serger
Or if you’re in need of some more kitchen towels, or are looking to go a little more sustainable this year you can follow this un-paper towel tutorial and add a colourful stitch around the edges for a little extra flare! We’ve found this awesome tutorial for you: https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/un-paper-towels-reusable-paper-towels-paperless-towels/
If you’re making un-paper towels, we suggest using a cotton thread that will stand the test of time and clean up nicely in the washing. If you’re looking for some stunning saturated solid colours we suggest using our 12wt 100% Egyptian cotton thread called Spagetti™.
You can find Spagetti™ in a shop near you, or in our online shop here
And if you’re wanting to use a heavy cotton thread with a little more decoration to it, try our 12wt 100% Egyptian cotton variegated thread called Fruitti™!
You can find Fruitti™ in a store near you, of in our online shop here
And like we mentioned earlier, it’s a great idea to pair a heavier thread in your serger with a lighter thread in your lower loopers so the two aren’t fighting with each other. We suggest using our 80wt cottonized polyester thread called DecoBob™. DecoBob™ will stand the test of time and hold up in your new kitchen towels or other projects for years to come.
You can find DecoBob™ in a store near you, or in our online shop here
And there you have it! You’ve got all the tools you need and some project inspiration for using decorative heavy threads on your serger! If you liked this blog, and would like to read more about topics like this you can comment below to ask questions or make other suggestions. If you’re going to be using the threads we mentioned in this blog for your next project, be sure to tag us on social media using the hashtag #wonderfil so that we can share your wonderful creations! You can also sign up for our free newsletter to receive more educational sewing tips, tutorials, and free patterns. Register by clicking here! We’ll see you again next time!