Replies

1. 
   Becky-book | Sep 25, 2006 05:00pm | #1

   Dear Bernadette,

   A lettuce hem is made when the edge of a knit fabric is stretched as it is being sewn so that it can not return to the shape it had before stitching.  Set your serger's differential feed to the max. amount of stretch and practice on some scraps of your cloth cut across the stretch. You may need to adjust the thread tensions to get a smooth edge (no loose, loopy threads)

   Hope this helps,

   Becky

1. 
   ireland13 | Sep 25, 2006 06:53pm | #2

   Lettuce Hem, on Serger

   That's what I need to know, is how to adust the tensions  and also the Differental Feed

   Bernadette

1. 
   Becky-book | Sep 26, 2006 02:25am | #3

   Adjusting the differential feed... my serger has a little lever with a mark at center for 'even' and marks above marked 'stretch' and marks below marked 'gather'. The book states that the range of differential for this machine is - 1:0.8   to 1:2.0

   Some sergers have numbers only and no helpful words like 'stretch', so I guess that the lower ratio would stretch and the higher ratio would gather.  Do you have a book for your machine?

   Adjusting the tensions... start with balanced tension, then change the differential feed and try a scrap of cloth, look at how the threads lie on the edge. Are they smooth, or do they loop larger than the edge(something is too loose) ,or do they pull the cloth into little bumps (something is too tight).  There isn't a magic set of numbers that 'works' for any combination of cloth and thread; you just have to experiment with what you have.  Also hold a little (just a little) tension on the cloth to stretch it as you serge the edge.

   Hope this helps,

   Becky

2. 
   Becky-book | Sep 26, 2006 03:07pm | #4

   Dear Bernadette,

   Just had another thought.... not all sergers have differential feed to adjust!!!

   If yours does not have this feature, just hold tension on the cloth (hands behind and in front of the presser foot) and stretch gently.  Not too much or you might break a needle!!

   Let me know how you are getting on with your hem!

   Becky