Threading a Serger

I did a lot of research before deciding to get a serger.  One of the things that was always discussed was the nightmare of threading (or re-threading).  That kind of intimidated me, but also excited me at the challenge!  I always like to conquer problems and I really wanted to have a go at threading a serger.

Once I actually got my Juki I put off cutting the threads that my machine specialist had threaded.  I knew that he had the tensions set and the machine was sewing well.  I was a little scared, given my inexperience, to mess with it.  Finally, after serging a couple of test strips, I was ready to try re-threading with 4 different colours.

I had prepared: I printed off the threading instructions from the manual.  There is a page for each area: upper looper, lower looper, and each needle.  I further armed myself by taking photos of each area of the thread path.  I printed 4 large colour photos on each page.  Just in case something got messed up I could refer to the photos and see where each thread is supposed to go.  Obviously, if you know me at all, I laminated all the reference sheets!

Finally, before cutting those white threads and throwing my hat over the fence, I took a video on my phone tracing the thread path of each spool.  I also had my i-pad with Amy Alan's Beginner Serging Craftsy class paused at the threading section!  (I don't know why I was so worried because worst case scenario I could just take the machine back to the dealer and have them re-thread it!)  I initially tried snipping each thread and re-threading each guide as I pulled the old thread through (ie. pull the old thread out of the tension disc, put the new thread in the tension disc, and so on).  That didn't really work very well because the snipped thread pretty much fell out of each section before I could see it, and the needle threads were in the way and had to be cut anyway.

I'm happy to report that the threading actually went very well!  It is not that difficult at all and the instructions in the manual were very clear.  I'm not sure now what all the fuss was about and why people get so worked up about it.  Do they not read the instructions and just try to figure it out on their own?  I'm quite relieved now that it's done and I'm no longer intimidated at all!  I made a thread chain and did some practice pieces with my new 4 colours of thread.  Everything looks pretty good and after messing with the tension settings I'm getting a feel for which thread does what.

NOW I think I'm ready to make samples for my serger book and then eventually move on to some real projects.  My stack of to-do quilts is calling my name but I would like to at least get the book done with the serger before I move on to some quilting.  I'm not big on having two things on the go at once so I'll see how much time I have to dedicate to the sample book.

 

Comments

[Jose]

Happy New Year, Angie! You are so detailed and organized, it just cracks me up. Me, being a guy and all, would have just started re-threading the serger without so much as a glance at the instruction manual! Congratson your serger, and being able to thread it! Now let's go quilt. :-) :-) :-)

[Barbara]

Good for you Angie... first thing I did when I got the serger, was cut the threads and rethread from the book (back in the day you got a BOOk).. Your Juki looks like a mice machine..have fun, my quilting guru serges her edges of quilts before binding FYI..