Free Serger Project

NAPKINS

©1989, Revised 1997 by Diane Bossom.

 

This is a project I designed and taught in my Serger Club meetings. My projects are designed and written in a generic format. I don't get brand specific because there are too many differences among sergers. Most of my projects are for 3/4 thread sergers. Of course, a 5 thread will do all the techniques covered in any of my projects. The project instructions will refer you to your manual for specifics for your brand of serger. Just print out this page, or highlight and save the project instructions below. I have also included a text only project page if you have trouble printing from this one.

Feel free to share these instructions, but please leave my name and © intact.

Making napkins is a great way to practice using the rolled hem stitch and turning outside corners on your serger. Napkins add elegance to your place settings, and they're also very practical.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • 1 yd (45" wide) four 18" dinner napkins (OR)
  • 1 yd (45" wide) six 15" luncheon napkins.
  • 2 spools matching or contrasting thread (woolly nylon is great for a rolled edge).
  • 1 spool polyester thread for needle
  • size 80/12 universal serger needle (put a new needle in your serger)
  • Serger and rolled hem accessories
  • ruler, rotary cutter, and mat
  • scissors

CUTTING:

Cut the fabric into squares (size given above). Always save the remaining scraps of fabric to use in making tension adjustments for the rolled edge.

SERGER SETUP:

Follow the guidelines in your manual and set up the serger for narrow rolled edge. Use scraps or the same fabric to adjust the stitch settings.

SERGING:

1) Start at one corner and serge across, barely trimming the edge of the fabric. Slow down as you get to the next corner and stop a few stitches from the end.

2) Turn the flywheel by hand until you take one stitch off the edge of the fabric. Raise the needle and the presser foot, then pull a slight amount of thread between the needle and the presser foot, then pull a slight amount of thread between the needle and the tension disc (for slack). Gently ease the thread off the stitch finger just a bit (for ease in turning).

3) Turn the fabric and continue until all sides and corners are finished. This method may require some practice so you can figure out how much slack in the thread is needed for your machine to make smooth, unloopy corners.

4) Put a drop of seam sealant on the last corner and let it dry before the chain is trimmed.

Sergingly Sew,

Diane Bossom


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