Bernina Serger 1150MDA, Serger 700D, Serger 800DL, Serger 1300MDC Owner's Workbook

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Sergers

Mastering Your

Mastering

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BERNINA

Serger

Owner’s Workbook

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 1

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BERNINA

Table of Content s

Class 1 - General Information..................................................... 3

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 4

Presser Feet & Accessories ............................................................................ 5

Needles...........................................................................................................6

Thread............................................................................................................. 8

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock ........................................................................10

Adjusting Tensions ........................................................................................ 12

Stitch Length .................................................................................................18

Cutting Width.................................................................................................2 0

Differential Feed............................................................................................22

mtc - Micro Thread Control...........................................................................28

Securing Ends ............................................................................................... 3 0

Serging a Tube..............................................................................................32

Product Reference List ................................................................................. 34

Class 2 - Four Thread Techniques........................................... 35

Serger Seams...............................................................................................36

Seaming Knits...............................................................................................3 8

Serger Piecing...............................................................................................46

Elasticator .....................................................................................................50

Gathering Foot and Attachment....................................................................5 2

Product Reference List ................................................................................. 58

Class 3 - Three-Thread Techniques......................................... 59

3-Thread Overlock ........................................................................................ 60

3-thread Overlock with mtc........................................................................... 68

3-Thread Flatlock .......................................................................................... 72

Blindstitch Foot..............................................................................................78

3-Thread Rolled Hem.................................................................................... 86

Cording Foot .................................................................................................88

Product Reference List ................................................................................. 92

Class 4 - Miscellaneous Techniques ....................................... 93

3-Thread Super Stretch Stitch.......................................................................94

2-Thread Flatlock .......................................................................................... 98

2-Thread Flatlock with mtc. ........................................................................102

2-Thread Rolled Hem..................................................................................104

2-Thread Wrapped Edge ............................................................................ 106

Multi-Purpose Foot with Guide....................................................................108

Product Reference List ............................................................................... 116

Class 5 - Cover & Chain...........................................................117

Cover Stitch ................................................................................................. 118

Chain Stitch................................................................................................. 130

Combination Stitches (1300MDC only).......................................................136

Product Reference List ............................................................................... 140

Your

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Class 1

General Information

Class Overview

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Machine Overview

Parts of the serger Setting up the serger

Serger Accessories

Tweezers Lower Looper Threader (700D only) Needle Threader

(optional for 700D & 800DL) Brush/Needle Insertion Tool Spool Caps Spool Cones Thread Nets

Thread

Good quality vs. poor quality Construction/All-Purpose Thread Decorative Thread

Needles

Types of Needles Sizes of Needles Parts of Needles Matching Needle & Thread

Basic Serging Samples

1 Balanced 4-Thread Overlock 2 Adjusting Tensions - Loopers 3 Adjusting Tensions - Loopers 4 Adjusting Tensions - Needles 5 Stitch Length Adjustment 6 Cutting Width Adjustment 7 Differential Feed - S tretch 8 Differential Feed - Pucker 9 Differential Feed - Gathering & Easing 10 Micro Thread Control - mtc 11 Securing Serged Seams 12 Serging a Tubular Project

Care & Cleaning

Removing Lint from Inside Serger Oiling Replacing the Cutting Knives Yearly “Tune Up”

by Authorized BERNINA

technician

Threading for Overlock Serging

The Threading Path Threading Order

First – Upper Looper (Blue)

Second – Lower Looper (Red)

Third – Right Needle (Green)

Fourth – Left Needle (Yellow) Test Serging

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 3

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This class is formatted for owners of the following models of BERNINA overlock machines:

• 700D

• 800DL

• 1150MDA

• 1300MDC

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Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a BERNINA® serger! This workbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Owners Classes you will take at

your BERNINA® dealership, and contains a series of exercises intended to familiarize you with

the features of your new BERNINA needles, threads, presser feet and accessories, all of which will increase your knowledge of serging and assist you in achieving success in all of your serging endeavors.

overlock machine. In addition, you will learn about

Once you have completed the exercises designated for your BERNINA attach the sewn samples to the indicated pages and insert the p ages into plastic page protectors and store them in a 3-ring binder . They can then be used as a reference tool in the future as you use your machine and explore the creative possibilities it affords you.

BERNINA® of America, Inc. strives to provide it s customers not just with quality sewing and overlock machines, but with informative publications and classes. Along with providing Owners Classes, your local BERNINA® dealer stocks BERNINA® books and magazines, such as Feetures, Serger Technique Reference Guide, and Through the Needle. Plus, BERNINA® of America, Inc. has a website – www.berninausa.com – offering free projects, basic sewing and serging information, a glossary of sewing terms, inspirational stories, interviews with creative stitchers, and a variety of articles and postings that appeal to all types of stitchers, no matter which machines are their favorites.

Learn to use your BERNINA® serger to its full extent and enjoy being creative with fabric and thread!

My BERNINA® overlock machine model is: __________________

I purchased it on: ____________ at ________________________

overlock machine,

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__________________________ __________________________

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Presser Feet & Accessories

BERNINA® Presser Feet:

• are precision engineered for specific functions

• are, in some cases, modeled after commercial feet used in factories to increase speed and production with professional looking results

• do the job intended in relation to all types of sewing (ex. garment-making, quilting, home dec, etc.)

• are supported by the best and most complete educational materials in the industry, such as the Serging Technique Reference Guide, Feetures, and the BERNINA

website at www.berninausa.com

Additional Presser Feet

& Accessories Available for

BERNINA® Sergers:

• Blindhem Foot

• Cording Foot

• Elasticator

• Gathering Attachment

• Multi-Purpose Foot with Guide

• St andard Foot with Tape Guide

• Attachment Base

• Looper/Needle Threader

• Left Seam Guide

• Right Seam Guide

• Upper Looper Converter

• Waste Collector

• Serger Technique Reference Book

• Feet-ures Volume 2 (Unit M)

• Feet-ures Volume 3 (Unit P)

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Needles

Along with thread, needles are very important to stitch formation. Many “mechanical” problems and damage to fabrics can be traced to a bent, damaged, or incorrect size or type needle. Approximately 60% of all needles made are discarded at some stage of production. When selecting the correct needle for any serging project, three things must be considered:

Needle system – 130/705H Needle point – to assure stitch formation and avoid fabric damage Needle size – smaller for lightweight fabrics; larger for heavier ones

If the needle is:

Too small – the thread can’t stay in the groove to form a loop to be picked up by the looper Bent – thread loop forms too far away from looper, which can’t enter loop to form stitch Blunt – needle won’t pierce fabric so no thread loop forms to make a stitch

Need To Know

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Notes

• Never use a needle bigger than size 90/14 in your serger; larger needles can interfere with looper movement and cause damage.

• Needle should be changed every 4-6 hours of sewing. The needle is the most inexpensive part in your serger but is one of the most crucial for getting good results and keeping your machine running well. Don’t let false economy keep you from doing what is best for your sewing projects and your machine.

• European needles are chrome-plated to glide through fabric easily.

• The selected thread should fit in the groove on the front of the needle. If it isn’t protected by the groove, a needle with a larger groove should be used.

• Always make sure needles are fully inserted as high as possible, with the flat side to the back.

Needle Size Conversion

European vs. Domestic 60 = 8 70 = 10 75 = 11 80 = 12

90 = 14 100 = 16 110 = 18 120 = 19

Regardless of the system, the greater the number, the larger the diameter of the needle. Never use a needle

larger than size 90/14 in your serger!

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Needle Chart

Never use a needle bigger than size 90/14 in your serger;

larger needles can interfere with looper movement and cause damage.

Your

Ball Point

Stretch

Universal

Jeans

Microtex Sharp (Schmetz)

70-90

60-90

70-90

60-90

Has a rounded point. 70 for lingerie, nylon, jersey; 80 for T-shirt; 90 for sweatshirt fleece.

A stretch needle has a more rounded point and a blue anti-cling coating which helps to prevent skipped stitches in knits and elastic. Sometimes used on Ultrasuede

A compromise between a sharp and a ballpoint needle; can be used on both wovens and knits.

60 – very fine batiste 70 – broadcloth 80 – trigger and gabardine 90 – denim and twill

Has a sharp point and a shaft that is less prone to flex. The sharpness of the needles makes it better for use on denim and woven fabrics where a clean stitch is desired.

A sharp point with a thin shaft. 60-90 corresponds to the weight of the fabric; as the fabric gets heavier or denser, the number is higher. Specially designed for microfiber fabrics.

, vinyl, and plastic.

Microfiber (Lammertz) Quilting

Topstitch

Embroidery (Schmetz)

Metafil (Lammertz)

Leather

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assort’d (75 & 90)

80-90

75-90

80-90

The thin, tapered point of this needle causes less damage to fabric when seaming and cross seaming.

A sharp point with a large eye and deep groove. Use with heavier fabrics – the large groove cradles heavy threads.

Sharp needle with a large eye and groove; also has a coating and a larger scarf. For use with embroidery thread – prevents shredding of rayon or metallic threads. Two threads may be used through the eye of an 80 or 90 needle.

Point is a sharp cutting wedge. Used for leather only. Not for vinyl or simulated leathers.

Sergers

Thread

Poor quality or the wrong type of thread can cause poor stitches on any machine. Thread passes through the eye of the needle approximately 37 times in a “see-saw” action before it forms a single stitch. Poor quality thread results in crooked and looped stitches, puckered seams, frayed thread, and/or needle breakage. To achieve quality stitches, an overlock machine needs three things: correct thread, correct size needle, and properly adjusted settings.

Several factors such as the fiber, twist, ply, finish, and size of thread must be considered for use with today’s fabrics for fine stitches.

Staple – refers to the length of fibers used to twist together to form a single ply. Domestic thread fiber lengths are usually 1½” to 2½” long while European threads use 5½” to 6½” lengths.

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Notes

Ply – number of strands twisted together to make a single thread. Roll – the tendency of thread to roll to the right or left during

stitching, causing the stitch to appear slightly crooked. Poor quality threads are more likely to roll.

Twist – the crimping of fibers which causes them to interlock firmly into a single ply . Thread should not untwist during stitching. This will cause skipped stitches, thread breakage, crooked stitches, and weak spots in seams.

Right twist – most American threads are twisted to the right,

causing some rolling. This gives average stitch quality.

Left twist – Most commercial and imported threads are twisted to the left, giving better than average stitch quality . Lef t twist resists

rolling and makes a larger loop for the hook point to enter, reducing skipped stitches.

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Thread

Wearable art embellishment has necessitated the creation and marketing of many new thread types, such as rayons and metallics. Threads made in West Germany are left twist threads; Mettler and Isacord threads are also left twist. To test the twist of a thread: while holding the spool in the left hand, roll the strand of thread towards you with one thumb. Left twist will tighten, right twist will loosen.

Fiber – refers to the type of material used to produce the thread. Some commonly used threads:

• Polyester Overlock Thread – such as Mettler Metrocor Thinner than regular sewing thread, eliminating bulk in serger stitch formations. An excellent all-purpose serger thread.

• Texturized Nylon Thread – such as YLI Woolly Nylon and Mettler Metroflock. A very elastic thread with excellent coverage; perfect for rolled edges and knit seams. Available in solid and variegated colors, and metallics.

• Polyester Topstitching Thread – such as YLI Jeans Stitch & Mettler Cordonnet – this heavy thread is used for decorative stitching, such as flatlocked seams and overcast edges. Also nice for cover and chain stitching. Available in solid and variegated colors.

• Rayon Decorative Threads – such as YLI Pearl Crown Rayon & YLI Designer 6 – shiny threads for decorative applications. Pearl Crown Rayon is twisted, while Designer 6 is untwisted. Available in solid and variegated colors.

• Metallic Decorative Threads – such as YLI Candlelight – adds a bit of glitz to seams and edgings.

• Decorative Sewing Threads – sewing machine threads can also be used in the serger, and are particularly effective when several are used together as one thread.

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Notes

Storage of Thread

Thread does wear out and should be stored with care to keep it usable as long as possible. Extreme moisture may cause thread to swell while very dry conditions can leave it dry and brittle as it ages. Store thread in a covered container (thread box with a lid, cabinet with doors, or drawers that close) if possible to keep it dust-free.

Be wary of old spools of thread recovered from Grandma’s sewing box. The fibers may be so weak and brittle that even if it sews into a seam, it may be so unstable that the garment or project will not hold together and the life of the project may be considerably shortened.

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Fabric ........................................................................... firm fabric, 6” x 6”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Thread the serger for a 4 thread overlock stitch using thread colors to match the color-coded threading path on the serger.

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Notes

Adjust all thread tension settings as indicated. Fold the fabric in half to 3” x 6”. To begin stitching, lift the front of the presser foot with your right thumb

and slide the fabric under the presser foot. Release the tip of the presser foot and begin serging.

Serge to the end of the fabric. Continue stitching off the fabric until you have a 3”- 4” thread chain. Cut thread chain.

Examine the serger stitch formation and compare it to the balanced stitch graphic on page__ of your Owner's manual.

Read the information under Adjusting the Thread Tension on page__ of the Owner's manual for information about the stitch formation and correcting any stitch irregularities.

Make any necessary tension adjustments and serge another row of stitching.

Trim and mount the sample.

Record your serger’s “personal” tension settings

for a balanced overlock in the chart below:

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Left Needle Right Needle Upper Looper Lower Looper

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock Sample

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2-3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3-5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Adjusting T ensions

Fabric ................................................... 6 pieces firm fabric, each 3” x 6”

.........................................................1 piece of lightweight cotton, 3” x 4”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Lower Looper - Increased Tension

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch using thread colors to match the color-coded threading path on the serger.

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Notes

Fold each piece of the firm fabric to 1½” x 4” and set aside. Locate the thread tension levers on the front of the serger. From left

to right, these levers adjust tension for the Left Needle, Right Needle, Upper Looper, and the Lower Looper.

Adjust the lower looper thread tension lever to 7 to increase the tension on the looper thread.

Place the first piece of folded fabric under the presser foot with the fold to the right and serge to the end of the fabric, cutting off the fold.

Examine the sample. The looper threads do not lock on the edge of the fabric. The upper looper thread is pulled tightly to the back of the stitch. The left needle thread may be pulled to the back of the stitch.

Trim, label, and mount the sample.

Lower Looper - Decreased Tension

Change the lower looper thread tension lever to 2 to decrease the tension on the looper thread.

Serge the second piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The looper threads do not lock on the edge of

the fabric. The lower looper thread is visible on the face of the fabric. The looper threads are very loose.

Label, trim, and mount the sample. Return the thread tension levers to normal.

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Adjusting Tensions Samples

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2-3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3-5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Adjusting Tensions, continued

Upper Looper - Increased Tension

Adjust the upper looper thread tension lever to 7 to increase the tension on the looper thread.

Serge the third piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The looper threads do not lock on the edge

of the fabric. The lower looper thread is pulled tightly to the front of the stitch.

Label, trim, and mount the sample.

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Notes

Upper Looper - Decreased Tension

Change the upper looper thread tension lever to 2 to decrease the tension on the looper thread.

Serge the fourth piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The looper threads do not lock on the edge

of the fabric. The upper looper thread is visible on the back of the fabric. The looper threads are very loose.

Label, trim, and mount the sample. Return the thread tension levers to normal.

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Adjusting Tensions Samples

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2-3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3-5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Adjusting Tensions, continued

Right Needle - Decreased Tension

Adjust the right needle thread tension lever to 2 (down) to decrease the tension on the needle thread.

Serge the fifth piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The needle thread forms large loops on the

back of the fabric. Label, trim, and mount the sample.

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Notes

Left Needle - Decreased Tension

Adjust the left needle thread tension lever to 2 to decrease the tension on the needle thread.

Serge the sixth piece of folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The needle thread forms large loops on the back

of the fabric. Label, trim, and mount the sample.

Both Needles - Increased Tension

Adjust both the left and right needle thread tension levers to 7 to increase the tension on the needle threads.

Fold the piece of lightweight woven cotton fabric to 1½” x 4”. Serge the folded fabric, cutting off the fold. Examine the sample. The lower looper thread is pulled to the front

of the sample and the stitch is puckering the fabric. Label, trim, and mount the sample. Return both needle thread tension levers to normal.

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 16

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Adjusting Tensions Samples

increased left & right needle tensions

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decreased right needle tension

decreased left needle tension

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2-3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3-5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Stitch Length Adjustment

Fabric .......................................................................... firm fabric, 6” x 6”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Fold fabric in half to 3” x 6”. Using a fabric marker, divide the fabric into four equal sections along the

folded edge.

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Notes

Thread the serger for a four thread overlock stitch. Fine tune the settings as needed. Set the cutting width and the differential at their normal settings.

Adjust the stitch length to 4mm. Serge to the first mark along the folded edge, trimming the fold slightly .

Adjust the stitch length to 3mm and serge to the second mark. Adjust the stitch length to 2mm and serge to the third mark. Adjust the stitch length to 1mm and serge to the end. Mark the stitch length settings on the fabric sample. Trim and mount the sample. Return stitch length to its normal setting, 2.5mm.

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Stitch Length Adjustment Sample

4mm 3mm 2mm 1mm

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2- 3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3- 5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Cutting Wid th Adjustment

Fabric .......................................................................... firm fabric, 6” x 6”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Fold the fabric in half to 3” x 6”. Divide and mark the fabric into three equal sections along the folded

edge.

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Notes

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch. Fine tune the tensions for a balanced overlock stitch (3-5).

Rotate the upper knife up. Adjust cutting width to 3. Rotate the upper knife down into cutting position.

Serge to the first mark on the fabric, stopping when the knife edge is on the mark.

Adjust cutting width to 2mm and serge to the second mark. Adjust the cutting width to 1mm and serge to the end of the fabric. Mark the cutting width settings on the sample. Rotate the upper knife up. Return the cutting width to its normal setting,

2mm. Rotate the upper knife down into cutting position. Compare the cutting width sample to the balanced 4-thread sample

to see how cutting width affects the balance of the overlock stitch.

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 20

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Cutting Wid th Adjustment Sample

3mm 2mm 1mm

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Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2- 3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3- 5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Differential Feed: Fabrics that Stretch

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Fabric .................................... 3 pieces of ribbing, each 5” wide x 2” long

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch. Fine tune the tensions for a balanced overlock stitch. Set the cutting width as needed and set the stitch length to 2.5mm.

With differential set at N, serge two of the ribbing pieces together along one 5” edge. If the fabric is stretchy enough you will have a wavy edge.

Adjust the differential to 2.0. Stitching along the 5” side, serge the remaining ribbing to the other

side of the piece, trimming slightly . W ith differential at a higher setting, the wavy edge should be eliminated.

Mark the differential settings on the fabric sample.

Notes

Compare the seams to see how the differential settings can affect stretching.

Trim and mount the sample. Return the differential feed setting to N (normal).

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MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 22

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Differential Feed: Fabrics that Stretch Sample

2.0

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2- 3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3- 5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

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Sergers

Differential Feed: Fabrics that Pucker

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Fabric ................................................................... 1 piece batiste, 3” x 6”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Thread the serger for a four thread overlock stitch. Fine tune tensions for a balanced overlock stitch. Adjust the stitch length to 2.5mm.

With differential set at N, serge on one 6” edge. If fabric is lightweight enough you will have a puckered edge.

Adjust the differential to 0.7. Serge along the other edge, trimming slightly. With a low differential

setting, the puckered edge should be eliminated. Mark the differential settings on the fabric sample. Trim and mount the sample.

Notes

Return the differential feed setting to N (normal).

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 24

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Differential Feed: Fabrics that Pucker Sample

0.7

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2- 3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3- 5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3- 5 Stitch SelectionLever...................

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MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006

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Sergers

Differential Feed: Gathering & Easing

Mastering

Your

BERNINA

Fabric ..................................................... medium weight cotton, 3” x 12”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Using a fabric marker divide the fabric into 3 equal sections along the 12” side.

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch. Fine tune the tensions for a balanced overlock stitch.

Turn the differential feed dial to 2. Serge to the first mark. Adjust stitch length to 4mm and serge to the second mark. Move the thread tension levers up to 8 to increase the needle thread

tensions. Serge to the end of the fabric. Return the differential feed to “N” (normal).

Notes

Return the stitch length to 2.5 (normal). Move the thread tension levers to return tensions to normal (3-5). Mark the sample:

Differential Feed 2 Differential Feed 2 & Stitch Length 4 Differential Feed 2 & stitch length 4 & increased needle tension.

Trim and mount the sample.

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 26

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Mastering

Sergers

Your

BERNINA

Differential Feed: Gathering & Easing Sample

Increased needle tensions

Diff. Feed 2

SL 4mm Diff. Feed 2

Balanced 4-Thread Overlock

Upper Looper .............................. 3-5 Cutting Width...............................2- 3

Lower Looper .............................. 3-5 Stitch Length..........................2.5mm

Left Needle.................................. 3- 5 Differential Feed ............................ N

Right Needle ............................... 3-5 Stitch Selection Lever..................

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006

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

Sergers

Micro Thread Control - mtc

(for 1300MDC/1150MDA models only)

Mastering

Your

BERNINA

Fabric ....................................................... medium weight cotton, 6” x 8”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Divide the fabric into 4 equal sections along the 8” side, finger press creases into place.

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch. Set the tensions and cutting width according to the manual for a balanced overlock stitch.

Set the mtc lever to the maximum setting, serge on the first fold. Move the mtc lever to the normal setting, serge on the second fold. Move the mtc lever to the minimum setting, serge on the third fold. Mark the sample:

mtc - maximum -



Notes

mtc - normal - 

mtc - minimum - 

Trim and mount the sample.

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 28

Permission to copy and distribute in printed and electronic formats granted only to Authorized BERNINA® Dealers

Sergers

Micro Thread Control - mtc - Sample

Mastering

Your

BERNINA







MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006

Permission to copy and distribute in printed and electronic formats granted only to Authorized BERNINA® Dealers

Sergers

Securing Serged Seams

Fabric ....................................................... medium weight cotton, 4” x 6”

Needle............................................................................. 80/12 Universal

Thread............................................................... 4 cones of serger thread

.......................................................................... (yellow, red, green, blue)

Presser Foot .............................................................................. standard

Stitch ............................................................................ 4-thread overlock

Thread the serger for a 4-thread overlock stitch. Fine tune the tensions for a balanced overlock stitch.

Fold fabric in half to 2” x “6” and place under the presser foot. Note:

If you are using a Wavy Rotary Cutter or Pinking Shears to trim the samples, do all trimming before beginning to sew this sample.

Mastering

Your

BERNINA

Notes

Take 2-3 stitches on the fabric. Lower the needles into the fabric. Raise the presser foot and with your left hand gently pull the thread chain around the needles to the knife.

Lower the presser foot and continue serging (cutting off the excess thread chain) until you are one stitch off the end of the fabric.

Locate the Stitch Selection lever on the right side of the cloth plate; pull it towards you, releasing the thread chain from the stitch tongue.

Raise the presser foot and carefully flip the fabric over so that the lower looper side of the previously serged seam will be overstitched.

Place the fabric under the presser foot so that the first stitch will enter the fabric when you begin stitching.

Slide the Stitch Selection lever towards the body of the serger. Serge for about 1”, overstitching the previous stitching. Guide the fabric

so as not to cut the previous stitching. Option: Rotate upper knife up. Raise the toe of the presser foot and rotate the fabric 90° clockwise. Serge off the edge of the fabric. If the upper knife is up, rotate it down into the cutting position. Trim and mount the sample

MASTERING YOUR BERNINA®SERGERS 6/2006 30

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