Beginner's Guide to Serging (Ep 4): Overlock Stitch + Intro to Tension 

OMG I just by luck found your tutorial No 4. Have subscribed to your Chanel and I think your worth million dollars, and if I had a million, I’d search high and low to find you. I’m completely blown away. I’ve seen many serger tutorials, but nothing as clear as your. I’m like many Ladies, we buy one then we don’t know how to use it. Thank you Sweetheart for being so precise and taking your time to help us. Can I Adopt you? Hahaha ❤️❤️ 🇨🇦

For a first time in 30 years I could set tension in just 10 minutes. Thank you.

Once again, I like your very clear explanations!

The tension explanation of this video was so helpful! My grandmother was a certified seamstress in Germany and I'd always watch her work when I was a kid, but I'd never understand any of it. After she passed I had been trying to get back into sewing and I needed to use the serger for a specific mask I'm making and I got far too overwhelmed by what was going on. Thanks for these videos!

This is my 1st time ever commenting on-line. I have had a serger for many years! It was an I love gift from my mother-in-law. At the time there simply were no classes on how serge in the area. All the fabric stores recommended "just play with the machine to learn how to use it". Not the answer I was hoping for. SOOOO my machine stayed stored in styrophoam packaging. Recently, I decided to take it out of storage and learn how to use it via RU-vid !😂 After viewing (4) videos I have to say thank you so much! You keep it short, simple and informative! I am so appreciative to you for sharing your knowledge with me. Now I begin to use this machine with confidence😊. Sincerly yours, One Happy Viewer😆

This is great! I've been sewing since I was a child, but the way you break down the basics here is so easy to digest. Thank you!

OMG. who knew how easy and TIDY it could be to remove those stitches. Thanks a 1,000,000

Sarah, I've been learning about Sergers through Utube for about 3 weeks, and have a brand new serger (EBAY AUCTIONS ROCK) that is yet to be turned on. Finally Utube shows me Sewing Parts Online's video series on Sergers and I learn for the first time, how to unpick a SEAM. Thank you. This was the missing lesson in my journey to confidence with a Serger. You rock.

Writing notes on fabric sample = brilliant thx

I know this isn’t a new series, but when I got my Ovation two years ago, I had only done simple sewing (rag quilts), and no serging or garment sewing whatsoever. Thank you for all the great videos for a newbie... this thing intimidated me when we bought it, then we moved and it was in storage for around a year. I’m back at it and you’ve given me some great tips and basic information to my tune (I’m visual.). Thank you!

4 years later this is still soooo helpful!!

Actually LOL'd aloud when I saw the angry face over the looper tension wheels! X'D

Thank you, thank you. Today was my first pressing of the foot peddle to create a three thread overlock. I was so nervous. I spent a long time ensuring my threading was correct, and then, and then, following along with your video I pressed the peddle, and sewed my first overlocked seam. Phew! Success!

Hi Sarah. I'm so glad you are making this series of videos. I'm a total novice using an overlocker (I live in the UK that's what we call them) and I am definitely intimidated by it. I've wanted an overlocker for many years and now I have one - help is needed. Manuals are great but no substitute for watching live. Why didnt I think of that simple effective way of tidying the tail ends, much better than tying a knot! And the "undo" tip is great! Keep these videos coming, I find all your videos so helpful, thank you.

I am so glad I found you! I don't have a Singer - afraid it is a Pfaff....I purchased it in 2003 or so and pull it out each year just to put it back in the closet out of frustration! Having watched this video I'm confident that with your help I'll get the hang of it! The instruction is excellent, there is no loud background music and you explain things very well....wish I had watched this video before ripping apart a serged skirt...oh the mess! Thanks again...I'll be sure to watch all the vids I can find :)

I’m going to be watching all your tips , I struggle with tension, thanks from North Wales UK

I've been serging for a few years, and have two Singer sergers. I buy all my needles from you for them, and I'd really like to thank you for this video! The best part was removing the stitches.

I have been using my serger for ages but your RU-vid videos really educate me!. Thank you. I have liked and subscribed.

Thank you so much! I am new to serging and have been watching lots of "how to" videos. This video series is simply THE BEST content out there.

I been seriously considering getting a serger machine. These videos have been so helpful with my decision. I can see that it will take some time and patience but can't wait to get my machine. Thanks for sharing these videos. I can't wait to watch the rest!

Just got a new overlocker.. Thank you for your very clear demonstrations... It makes so much more sense than the manual... I found the actual threading of the machine a doddle, however the stitch width and length were so vague in the manual .. You explained it beautifully.

I LOVE your videos!! You are a ROCK STAR!! I have not watched them all, just here and there. . . and I TOTALLY forgot about them when I was having trouble threading my serger! I had spent months trying to find a place or person to help me thread it (I totally unthreaded it as I didn't want those colors. . . . ). I finally persevered, however not my tension is wonky. But, thanks to your videos, I'll be able to tweek it to get it right!

Best tips on tention❤

Wow! Brilliant way for ripping out those serger seams! I always make such a huge mess. Super helpful, thank you!!!

Lifesaver for serger newbies!

A great video thank you. Especially as a novice I found the section on removing stitches really helpful.

Wow thank u do much. I was afraid of my beast. You teaching me how to understand it! I appreciate you!!

These are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING VIDEOS. I am debating getting a serger - and came upon your videos to see if it is something do-able. My goodness.. I'm so excited and started to price (beginning) sergers right away! Thank you for giving me confidence in the next step of my sewing journey!! I'll be back after I get my machine so I can refresh and do more hands-on learning.

Week after week you amaze me with your creativity. I have a very long "to do" list. Too much fun!

Thank you for your very clear, concise and informative tutorials. I’ve found them super helpful.

thanks a lot. I have never been to school to study sewing, and I just bought myself an overlock machine, and your tutorials have been so helpful. thanks a lot. new sub😍😍 waiting for what's new😘😘

Thanks so much for this series! As a new serger user, these are so useful.

Thanks for sharing this FANTASTIC TUTORIAL!!! As a beginner, you helped take away the fear of learning how to use such a terrifying machine! I can’t wait to learn more from your channel as a new subbie!🤗❤️🥳🎉

Hello, I guess these videos have been up for a while, but I just found them. WOW. You have simplified a lot (a lot) of the mysteries of the serger. Thank you so much for being there for me and countless others I'm sure.

Fantastic helpful video thanks for sharing this. I have always been scared to muck around with my tensions etc. But now going to give it a go after watching this..

This video is great very detailed, short & to the point

Well this video just saved me form going back into the store and leaning how to mess with the tension, thanks.

Thanks for the video my husband just bought me one today I like your tutorial I learned so much

Bless you! You just made me fall in love with my serger. 😇

This series has been really helpful, I just got my overlocker today so I'm very new at this! Thank you for your help

THANKS. A great easy to follow tutorial. I'm always scared to play around with my dials You now have helped and can give it a go

This great I had my serger set then some how it lost its settings but thats why I can come and check this tutorial again and again thank you so much

Thank you!!! I was ripping my hair out trying to figure this manual out!

Hi! I just found your channel and I already love it! I just got my overlocker and your videos are so helpful, thank you!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS. 🎅🎅 I was desperate and frustrated. So finally, I had a serious problem with the NEEDLE TENSION which didnt know. Wowww the close up was JUST GREAT. it really showed the same results as my samples, big loops at the back. At the beginning I used cheap thread and the sewing was great. But something went wrong with the snap guide on looper 3. It tightened and began to break the thread. I switched on to GUTERMANNs cones for sergers. The thread was kinda fine. Everything went WRONG. Kept on fretting and kept adjusting the loopers. In fact it came from the needles 😁😁😁 You saved me from a storm. You are a blessing to me. I bought my serger for Christmas and just wanted to pack it back in its box and never to look at it again. I definitely will adjust the settings on the needles NOT THE LOOPERS 😁😁💥💥 and hoping for the best, my problem will be solved. Thanks for sharing and caring. 👍👍👍🎅🎅🎅🍾🍾🍾😘😘😘

Hi Sarah :) Thank you so much for taking the time to do these instructual videos they are great, easy to understand, I am learning so much from you :) I am new to serging/overlocking so this has been so helpful to me, love it...can't wait for the next lesson :) Thank you again very much appreciated :) Have a wonderful day :) magz :)

Super video series. I had no idea how a serger worked until today. Thank you. Do you have a video on convincing your husband you need a serger?

Thank you! You have saved my machine from the bin... :)

You are the best!!!! Thank you!

Thanks a MILLION! Great instructional video!!!

Wonderful information! Very informative! Thank you!

This is wonderfully helpful! Thank you!

So clear & concise...thank you so much!

Great tutorial on tensions! Very intimidated by beast!

Great information on sergers I will keep trying too get my upper tension correct many thanks

I think you just changed my life.

This was so helpful!! Saving for reference, thank you so much!!

Amazing tutorial video

When are the next ones?!?! It's great! I'm getting ready in a few days to get mine and your video guide is my go to learning method

Thank you very much, I finally understood each thread task, advised me this video so much, thank you from the bottom of

Really informative and explained so well. Thanks.

Thank you for this clarifying video!

Very helpful!

Thank you,Sarah....

Great information thanks

wonderful...tips on building confidence I needed that

I am gaining so much knowledge - thank you for sharing!!!!!!!

Best tutorial ever! Thanks! Love it!

These are such GREAT videos, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I just got my first serger and had know idea of how to use it but because of your easy to follow videos I'm optimistic!!!! Where do you get your accessories from, like those cool tweezers?

Thank you, great explanation of the tension which is my issue atm.

Oh. No wonder my stuff was unraveling...! Thank you!

I've had my machine for two years and afraid to use it. I've studied the manuals, but I need lessons!!

Lol well I needed that lesson! Thanks!

Thanks for the video. If you would accept a suggestion for a video, I'd love if you could dedicate a video to explain about these tension dials and looper dials. I know very little about sewing and serging and I'm learning as I'm going. So far I don't understand what these dials are for, what they do, how they work. I will take your advice and just play with my serger and change the dials. I have a brother 1034D. Thanks for all the videos.

Great Video on how to....Thanks...

thank you

Great tips on this video.

What is wrong with my tension when it looks crowded loved your vid

Thank you so much really great tutorial

very comfortable vedio, thanks

Thank you so much for this series...really really helpful. I have a question though. How do you decide what stitch you need for a project; 2,3 or 4 thread?

hello..i want to ask how to know width measure? since there no number sign at machine. i use singer too

thank you

hello.. thank you for the nice and useful videos you make.. my question is that.. i have a jaguar surger.. it has a disc scaled from 1 to 5 for the pressure of the pressure foot.. so, if i am working with a thick layers of fabric should i set it up towards the 1 or towards the 5 ?? what does that setting mean ?? (more pressure or less pressure)??.. thank you in advance..

Thank you! I’m just beginning! my loopers appear to be well matched at the edge but the stitch length appears to be foreshortened. Where does that come from?

Thankyou for this video. I have a problem with the chain from the beginning. They are separated by 4 or 5 thread, not chain. The threading are same as a picture shown. Can you help me. Thanks

Love it!

great!!! thanks for the help!

I think you said there was a two thread serger stitch as well. What is that for and is it good enough to keep edges from fraying?

Great info!

Thank you for this helpful video. I just bought my first serger, a barely used Singer Pro4D, and cannot figure out how to adjust the tension to make the seam tight. When open the fabric layers there is a lot of stitch showing and it's too loose. I am using 4 colors while practice and it is the needle thread on both the 3 and 4 thread stitching that shows. Suggestions?

Thanks

Hi! Thanks so much for the informative video. I have been changing the tension but find that the problem stays the same (too loose in some places, too tight in others) Comparing the swatches from around 3 tension to around 7 for some dials, doesn't look any different. I've been increasing in increments of .5 Is there anything I'm doing wrong ? Thanks! x

I have the exact same machine no matter what i do my stitches show on the right side I've done everything I can think of ,tension , facrics ii doesn't matter I haven't used this machine because I have been frustrated with it it's barely been used because I can't stop the stitches from showing

Omg!! I couldn't figure out what was going on with this serger.... then I realized I didn't put the presser foot down!

Can you show what you put the setting on with all the loopers please?

How do you set up your machine when using 4 thread? What combination do you use?

Does one need to use 3-4 different colored threads on Serger?

I just purchased a Singer Profinish and I have never used a serger before. I was lucky enough to buy this one secondhand for $40.00. Yea me! But I sew typically with cotton and heavyweight fabrics. I am having trouble figuring out my tensions. Most of your videos are with lighter weight fabrics. My question is, how do I adjust my tensions to accommodate my cotton fabrics. Thanks for any information you can provide.

I'm having trouble with my chain. Only three of the threads are in the chain! My left needle thread is just straight stitching next to an apparent three thread overlock. Does that make sense? I've never used a serger before this one and it's an old baby lock 5280E that doesn't have its manual. :( I'm going to check your site to see if I can find it at a low price.