Day 3 – Two Thread Overcast stitch

Part of blogging for me is sharing the failures with the successes and today, like many days, was a bit of both. I was really excited to read the Workbook and discover that no new threading was needed. Phew – that was a huge relief after yesterday! All I needed to do was change the stitch to “E”. The Singer Pro 5 Workbook showed a really pretty pink girls dress made out of sheer and opaque fabrics so I was keen to try this stitch on my semi sheer sleep top. The muslin sample came out okay but the stitch looked dreadful on my actual garment. If this was design school I would be lucky to get a C-.

I adjusted the tension (it was on auto) and tightened up as much as I could but it still looked bad and I was so worried about getting it “right” that I didn’t get it straight LOL!

This is the seam after making adjustments. The looper thread is still too loose but at least it was neater. The sheer top is waiting until tomorrow when, thankfully, I will be back to something I know. Three threads. This rut I am in may last a little longer.

Happy Sewing! Natalie

Singer Pro 5 Challenge – Day 1 – The Double Chain Stitch

Off to a great start today with the Double Chain Stitch, found on pages 1-11 of the CD Workbook that comes with the Singer Professional 5 Overlock Machine. My first decision was to come up with a practical application for the stitch. I decided to add this beautiful, three dimensional stitch to a couple of throw cushions that I had started while reviewing the Brother Laura Ashley CX-155. Next, I needed to get the machine set up to sew. Following the instructions was fairly easy. There were plenty of clear photos as well as line drawings for me to use as reference but the Workbook is written based on the idea that you have rad through the manual. For example, the Workbook did not tell me to use the net over my specialty thread, nor to use a spool holder with the needle thread, that was in the manual. Fortunately, I have been using the machine for a while now so I have made enough mistakes to have learned this little detail. Here is my thread set up:

      

The heavy decorative thread is a YLR rayon thread in a deep aqua color, though it looks more like cobalt in the photo.

    To perform this stitch, the cover stitch plate needs to be installed, the knife is disengaged and then set up all the dials and knobs according to the instructions. It took about 15 minutes to get all set up since this was a new task.  Once everything is set, at least four inches of thread needs to be pulled back. I just pulled the thread to the back of the machine (about 7″).

 

An important detail to note is that the wrong side of the project is facing up. I drew lines on some white muslin for practice and tried it out.

 

WOWEEEE!!! Yay! I was pretty excited when I saw how perfectly formed the loops where. I had been using the chain stitch exclusively for basting and never even thought of adding decorative threads to the looper. I loved the added texture and can really see this looking great as an embellishment on a jacket or top. Here is how it looked on the throw cushions.

       

I used a home made circular attachement on the aqua cushion. The instructions for making your own DIY Circular Sewing Attachment to use for either a serger/overlock machine or sewing machine can be found at http://seeitsewit.wordpress.com/

Looking forward to tomorrow! Happy Sewing – Natalie

Purchasing my Five Thread Serger

I was in the market for a new serger and decided to upgrade from my little 3-4 thread Singer that I had bought at WalMart 7 years ago. It works fine but bounces around when I crank up the speed and it struggles sometimes with heavier fabrics. My top “must have” for the new machine? I wanted to be able to do a 5 thread safety stitch and a cover stitch.

So my experience led me to look at the Singer Professional 5 and a Juki MO-655. But the reviews on Amazon were a bit scary for the Singer Pro 5: it was given 23 five-star reviews and 23 one-star. The return policy seems to be a big issue.

The Juki was a bit more expensive and having just bought a Pfaff Creative Performance within the last 12 months, I wasn’t really keen to have to dole out an extra $200 just to be able to get the 6 presser feet that are included with the Singer Pro 5. The higher price for the Juki was probably worth it since Juki is known for the quality. But, it didn’t do a cover stitch. That said, the Juki got great ratings on Pattern Review (my one stop shop for reviews on all things home sewing) and the 4 version thread was a customer pick at HSN.

Then I posted a thread on PR requesting assistance with the choice. Lots of lovely feedback and I had all but settled on the Juki when it was brought to my attention that Pfaff makes a 5 thread machine that has a coverstitch but the new version of the Coverlock 3.0 does not require switching out of plates etc. I was really excited, checked out the website and there is was. A beautiful companion for Pfyodor, my PCP. I carefully read the information and the website confirmed that the Pfaff does not require changing of plates etc although it still has manual threading. More research gave me a price of $899 Australian so I figured a little less here in the US, and within, but stretching my budget since it does not include extra feet or binding attachments. I was very happy because I really like my Pfaff dealer and wanted to give them the business even if the price was higher than the Juki MO655 that I had settled on. I feel that a good dealer is worth the extra money.

So I called. And turned into Alice in Wonderland. The conversation went something like this.

“Hello, I purchased a PCP from you last fall and am looking to upgrade my serger! I am interested in the Pfaff 3.0 Coverlock.”

Dealer “We don’t carry that machine cuz it’s made by Singer.”

“Singer?”

“Yeah, all the Pfaff, Viking and Singer sergers are now made at the same factory so we don’t carry them anymore. I have a nice Brother in stock and we can get you one of their coverstitch machines separate.”

Silence. Thud.

“Hello?”

“Yes?”, I replied weakly.

“I can find out the details for you when they (the owners) get back from Pfaff training on Friday but you might like to try another dealer.”

But….? We then briefly discuss the machine but he seems pretty unsure and now, so am I.

Wow. Ouch. So that’s how loyalty repays these days.

I decided to follow his advice and called the next dealer. A bit better. He doesn’t carry them either. I can get an appointment on the 30th to look at one but someone else who has already bought something from them might get my appointment because the lady who should help me gives lessons so my appointment can be given away. He quotes me the 899.00$ price with no additional feet, and only a 1-2-10 warrantee. The Juki comes with 10-10. Frustration is mounting.

I carefully explain to this dealer that I am driving nearly an hour so I would really like to sit down with someone. Then I realize that it doesn’t matter because although he can get one, he doesn’t stock them so I would be booking an appointment to sit down and discuss whatever machines they actually carry. This dealer also sells BabyLock. I inquire about the Diana. They don’t carry that either. My budget is limited. I can’t afford the air threading or jet threading machines and don’t want to spend an hour each way to look at something I can’t buy. I am not interested in another 4 thread machine (his idea so I can get something in my budget) I already have one.

I wanted to give my business to a dealer. I really did. If I could avoid it, I did not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine that had only 30 days warranty from Amazon or some online Sew Vac place. I was willing to pay more to have dealer support. But where’s the customer support that I am supposedly paying for? Ugh.

So, since I would basically be buying a dressed up Singer anyways – I went online to Amazon.com and bought this one:

It came with six feet and thanks to the good folks at PR I now know that I can use all the really cool clearview feet that are available for the Huskylock and Pfaff on my machine since they are made in the same factory.

So, I finally have a new serger and I am happy with it. I still wish that I could have done business with a dealer in case anything goes wrong with the machine. But, all in all, I don’t think I could get better value for the money I spent.

Happy Serging!

Natalie