Dear Wise ones.
I am very happy with my new Viking Serger 905. As I am not a professional, and sew mostly clothing and things for our home, I am reluctant to invest in huge quantities of cone threads. In Clotilde, they show two gadgets. One uses wound bobbins to supply thread, and the other claims to make it possible to wind almost any threads onto spools and then use those, making it possible to use only one cone. Has anyone any experience with either one, or with other better items? Advice would be welcome. (I do not sew baby or childrens clothes.)
Margaret-Ann
Threads Recommended Products
McCall's 8241
Threads receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
McCalls Sewing Pattern 8241 Tops A (XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL). McCalls-8241-A
Mettler Seraflex
Threads receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Mettler Seraflex Elastic Thread is a 50wt thread designed for superior stretch and recovery, making it ideal for various fabrics and garments. It is easy to handle and sew, ensuring consistent, high-quality stitching for any project. Perfect for garments, quilts, and more, this thread delivers reliable results every time.
Vogue 1642
Threads receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Pattern A has pleated patch pockets with flaps. Pattern B has side seam zippers. This Vogue sewing pattern kit was designed and printed in the United States and comes with sewing templates, instructions, fabric recommendations, pattern pieces, and sizing guides for (2) shirts and (1) pair of pants. Women's clothing patterns can be made to fit sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
Brilliant Little Patchwork Collection by Kaffe Fassett
Threads receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Kaffe Fassett is a renowned painter and textile designer known for his visionary use of color. Based in London, he was the first living textile designer to have a solo exhibition at the V&A in 1988. He designs fabrics for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting, knitwear for Rowan Yarns, and has authored over 70 books, including Quilts in Wales and Quilts by the Sea.
Know Me 2064 Vest and Jacket
Threads receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Know Me patterns offer stylish and versatile designs, including the ME2064 rain jacket, which combines a cropped jacket and a vest that can be worn together or separately. The boxy-fit jacket features a hood, snap closure, and multiple pockets, while the vest has a zippered front and cargo pockets. This sewing kit includes templates, fabric recommendations, and instructions for sizes 44-52, proudly made in the USA.
Replies
Hi, Margaret-Ann,
You don't have to use cone thread on a serger. Pamela Busque, one of our authors and an excellent serger teacher, suggests that you buy cones of just a few colors, and rely on "color blending" rather than exact matching. I own white, off-white, a middle-tone gray, black, navy, and red, and find that this is sufficient for just about any serging I do. I probably don't need both white AND off-white, or black AND navy, actually. Use red for any reds, oranges, or pinks, grey for middle-range blues and greens, off-white or white for any pastel or pale neutrals, navy for dark blues, purples and greens, and black for black or dark grays, purples....etc.
Of course, you can also just use regular old sewing thread on the serger, and I sometimes do that if I want a more precise match for a particular garment, or if the serging will be visible from the outside. My favorite compromise is to use a matching sewing thread in the needle(s), and whatever cone thread I have that blends best in the loopers. That way, if the stitches happen to show at a seamline (they shouldn't, of course, if the needle thread tension is set properly), they won't be too obvious.
Cone thread lasts a long time, so it's worth investing in good-quality thread. Make sure it's not fuzzy or lumpy-looking--excess lintiness or an uneven texture can really give you a tension (ha! ha!) headache. Dark colors are the worst culprits, so splurge on good stuff for your cones of black and navy.
Carol
Thanks, Carol. That is very helpful. I know from other experience that good thread more than pays for itself. So do you think the gadgets I mentioned are not needed?
Margaret-Ann
I'm not familiar with the tools you mentioned, so I can't really say. I don't think I've ever felt I needed anything more than regular cones or spools for my serger, but that doesn't mean that those gadgets wouldn't make my life a lot easier if I had them! Anyone else have experiences with them?
Carol
I own the same viking serger. I use both cone threads and regular threads in it all the time, sometimes using both at the same time. I don't rewind the regular machine threads onto any bobbins. I just put them on the cone holder and then use the plastic disks that came with the machine to hold the spool in place. I usually use the cone threads for the loopers and the spool threads for the needles.
sueb
http://www.sueboriginals.com
Dear Sue
So I don't need that bobbin gadget at all! Thanks.
Margaret-Ann
This post is archived.