4900---Quick-Serger-Projects-8_retouchedI have been experimenting with various ways to create custom fabrics. You might have seen photos on my Facebook page with a few of my favorites by embellishing with:

  • embroidery
  • needle felting
  • scanNcut
  • thread art with the Dream Frame
  • couching

One that you might be surprised about is using the serger with a simple 3-thread overlock stitch and the blind hem foot. This purple bad is a perfect example. We made that bag in my Craftsy Class Sew with your Serger – Quick & Easy Gifts and most recently at the American Sewing Expo. I could see using this fabric as a collar or cuffs, color blocking – what about the flap on my back jean pockets!

Supplies from WAWAK sewing:

E ANGELA WOLF SERGING FABRIC5PREPARE THE FABRIC

1.Cut your fabric larger than you need for the pattern piece, the serged line takes out a minimum ¼” of fabric. Chalk mark lines parallel to the grainline. Choose any width you want, these are 2” apart.

2. Chalk mark lines perpendicular to the previous chalk lines.

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SET UP SERGER

3. Set up the serger for a 3-thread wide overlock stitch. Dis-engage the knife and attach the blind-hem foot (your blind hem foot might look different, check your manual)angela wolf serged fabric 6

E ANGELA WOLF SERGING FABRIC2E ANGELA WOLF SERGING FABRIC4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.Test your stitch: fold a piece of fabric and butt the edge of the fold up to the panel on the blind hem foot. There is a screw somewhere on your foot that will allow the panel to slide to the left and right. Adjust your foot until the stitch lands on the edge of the fabric. Simply feel the stitches and make sure they lay flat and are not falling off the fabric.

E ANGELA WOLF SERGING FABRIC3

 

E ANGELA WOLF SERGING FABRIC15. Starting at one side, fold the fabric along the chalk line, align the fold of the fabric against the blind foot lever. Serge. Do the same along all the chalk lines that are parallel to the first.

 

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b angela wolf serged fabric 3

6. Turn the fabric to align the perpendicular lines. Starting with the first line, finger press the previous serged lined away from the serger, down toward you (this is easier than finger pressing them into the serger).

b angela wolf serged fabric 4

 

c angela wolf serged fabric 1

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7. This time you will be flip flopping the fabric around in order to angle the first rows of serging, so flip the fabric and again align the fold against the blind-hem foot. Finger press the cross serged lines toward you and serge the entire line. Continue to flip the fabric back and forth.

c angela wolf serged fabric 4

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CUT OUT YOUR PATTERN

8. Layout your pattern and cut. Another idea is to cut the pattern on bias like I did for this pillow. If you choose to cut on the bias, you might need to back the fabric with interfacing or padding to prevent the fabric from stretching in odd areas – this also depends on your project.

serged bag 3

serged bag 4

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That’s it, told you it was EASY!  This would be super cute for front jeans pockets or cut bias strips for trim.

Please share with me how and where would you use this fabric?  I love new ideas for adding custom fabrics 🙂

                    cheers!Angela Wolf

 

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