Replies

1. 
   silkscape_ | Nov 02, 2001 03:54pm | #1

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   You will definitely want to purchase some books on serging. Its worth the money to offset frustration with the serger. It can be a wonderful tool or a source of migraine headaches.

   I am interested to know why you would use wooly nylon in a man's shirt. For the softness? I have not used wooly nylon except for active wear or rolled hems.

   Wooly is very stretchy and generally, teh stretchier a thread is the less tension should be used. Especially in the case of wooly nylon, the goal is to preserve the sponginess of the thread so it covers the edge of the fabric, feels soft, and provides stretch.

   Yes, nylon will melt. So, if you are making a cotton shirt that will need ironing, you mihgt want to take that into consideration.

   tear some strips and experiment with the wooly nylon. I always start with a new thread with my serger settings all at normal and then work from there after I see how the stitch is unbalanced. You really need a book with illustrations to help you understand how a serger stitch should be balanced. Then, you will be able to figure out which tension needs to be loosened.

   Good luck! Dont' get frustrated...before long you'll wonder how you lived without the serger before!

1. 
   Paula | Nov 05, 2001 02:54am | #2

   *Carol,Dawn's serging tips are good, but I will warn you about one thing yet. It is HARD to thread up a serger with wooly nylon. If you are not very familiar with your serger you may get frustrated when you experience the thread breaking as you are trying to pull the new tied-on thread through the guides. Usually this trouble comes when changing back from woolly nylon to regular thread. Tie you knots good and baby the thread through the serger guides. You should get a package of DENTAL FLOSS THREADERS from the local drug store, to use as serger threaders. These are little plastic things with a loop on one end. These work great for helping to thread up a serger, especially when trying to get wooly nylon through the looper holes.Happy sewing to you.Paula White

1. 
   petex2000 | Nov 23, 2001 06:45am | #3

   *Wooly nylon is also used as a decorative edging that is seen on the outside of a garment. Esp. if it's a knit with stretch. Typically you use a close stitch length so the wooly nylon completely covers the fabric edge. It would probably be too bulky for a man's shirt (if the fabric is woven). For a shirt I would think you'd want a thin polyester thread in the upper and lower loops and needles. You'd want the overcasting to thin and unnoticeable.hope this helps