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Is a serger necessary?  

post #1 of 10
8/1/08 at 12:26pm
Thread Starter 
I really want to try sewing my own cloth diapers, but I'm wondering how necessary a serger is. I know they make the diapers look great, but is it possible to make good, sturdy diapers without one?
post #2 of 10
8/1/08 at 5:35pm
I made mine without one. I made chinese prefolds. The ends are not as neat as they would have been with a serger but really it's just fine.
post #3 of 10
8/1/08 at 5:40pm
I had a serger once. I sold it after a year because I found that I could sew faster without it, taking into account how much time I spent threading the #$$^ thing.

Here's how you do a "mock serge":

Step one: sew the seam with a straight stitch
Step two: trim the edges an even 1/8" or so next to the seam
Step three: zig zag stitch the edges- sometimes this step needs to be repeated to fully cover the raw edge.
post #4 of 10
8/1/08 at 6:10pm
My diapers have external soakers and doublers, and I do what Ruthla does (except my machine has an actual mock-serger stitch which I use instead). I turn and topstitch my diaper bodies. This seems to hold up better than serged diapers anyway, for me at least.
post #5 of 10
8/3/08 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
Hmm, thanks for all the info. I must say, I love the professional look of a serged edge. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. But I'll definitely give your method of "mock-serging" a try. Thanks!
post #6 of 10
8/4/08 at 9:36am
I've done some mocked serged diapers and I think they look pretty similar.
post #7 of 10
8/4/08 at 9:50am
A serger is not necessary. A sewing machine can do nearly everything a serger can. I've made several different types of diapers over the years and never used a serger (although I have one that I use for other projects).
post #8 of 10
8/4/08 at 10:11am
They aren't necessary, but they are really, really nice to have. I couldn't live without mine now! I don't just make diapers though, I do a lot of other sewing as well.
post #9 of 10
8/4/08 at 3:53pm
I used the Very Baby Pattern from their site, www.verybaby.com, and I didn't need a serger. I made AIO's, pocket type, and fitteds. I like the topstitched look better personally, a little nicer than just serged.
post #10 of 10
8/4/08 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by allibut View Post
Hmm, thanks for all the info. I must say, I love the professional look of a serged edge. I'm a bit of a perfectionist. But I'll definitely give your method of "mock-serging" a try. Thanks!
I think turned & topstitched diapers can look very professional. If the topstitching is done well it can really make a diaper pop. You can even use a contrasting or variegated thread on it. What ever you decide - have fun with it!
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Mothering › Forums › Natural Family Living › Arts & Crafts › Diaper Making › Is a serger necessary?