Serger troubleshooting help?

[cristeen]

Anyone have any idea?

I have a Bernina Bernette Serger (4-thread). Every time I cut the thread, one of the needles unthreads itself. I'm careful to run a bit of chain before I cut the thread, both to prevent the piece from unraveling and to prevent unthreading, yet I'm finding myself having to rethread one of the two needles (same one) EVERY TIME! I'm getting really frustrated with this thing and am not having any luck figuring out what I'm doing wrong.

It's threaded after I pull the piece away, after I cut the chain, but as soon as I start running the machine again, I look down at my piece and I see that the overlock thread is not locking - it's just running along-side.



Anyone have any ideas?

[sewchris2642]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Anyone have any idea?

I have a Bernina Bernette Serger (4-thread). Every time I cut the thread, one of the needles unthreads itself. I'm careful to run a bit of chain before I cut the thread, both to prevent the piece from unraveling and to prevent unthreading, yet I'm finding myself having to rethread one of the two needles (same one) EVERY TIME! I'm getting really frustrated with this thing and am not having any luck figuring out what I'm doing wrong.

It's threaded after I pull the piece away, after I cut the chain, but as soon as I start running the machine again, I look down at my piece and I see that the overlock thread is not locking - it's just running along-side.



Anyone have any ideas?

You mention that you pull the piece away. You shouldn't be doing that. You need to serge off the seam for a good 2"-3" if not more. I usually leave a 4"-5" tail, sometime longer, at the back of the foot. Also check your threading of all the threads. Make sure that the threads are threaded in every single thread guide. Unlike a sewing machine where you can skip some thread guides, sergers don't like that.

It's late here and I should be in bed. I'll check my serger toubleshooting book tomorrow and see if it has anything else to add/

[SleeplessMommy]

I have the same serger - it has been great! Use the quilting trick - chain sewing.

Basically, you always have a fabric scrap on hand. After serging your "real work", chain an inch and then serge the scrap of fabric. Cut between the scrap and your work, leaving the scrap in place to hold your threads until next time.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Quil...-and-Pressing/

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...blocks-255157/

[sabrinat]

I also make sure the chain is to the back of the work and that I hold on to it for a bit when I first start serging.

[sewchris2642]

From my book: replace your needles; hold on to the tail as you serge; lengthen the stitch length (if you are chainstitching); replace the thread with better quality thread; use thread nets. From Agnes Mercik, Bernina Promotions and Training Consultant: serge on and off the edge over a scrap-fabric bridge.