Month: September 2020

Scrappy Fabric Pumpkins Make Perfect Fall Decor

Posted on by jghuiz

I’m very excited to announce that I have released my first “official” serger sewing pattern, Scrappy Fabric Pumpkins. I originally created this design for a class I taught a few years ago. But now as the leaves begin to change colors, I thought it was the perfect time to update my pattern and make it available to you.

Learn to do More with your Serger

If you’ve taken a serger class with me, you know it is not unusual for me to create my own projects to teach. My goal is to create projects that inspire people to want to use their sergers for more than finishing raw edges or creating samples of techniques for a notebook.

Finishing raw edges cleanly with a serger is a great use of the serger. And technique notebooks are important for understanding the potential uses of your serger. But many people never take the next step when it comes to learning their serger. It would be like making a sample of all the stitches your sewing machine can do, but never using the sewing machine to create a project. Maybe one reason this happens is because patterns written specifically for sergers are not nearly as abundant in the marketplace as patterns written for sewing machines. I’m hoping to change that, one serger pattern at a time!

On my blog I have shared a lot of free content and I will continue to do so. However, there are expenses associated with maintaining a blog, and it is my hope that selling patterns written for sergers will generate enough income to cover those expenses and allow me to continue to inspire others to serge. Thanks for your support!

The Scrappy Fabric Pumpkins Pattern

Serge a scrappy fabric pumpkin for fall and learn to use a serger rolled hem stitch for more than napkins, ruffles and scarves. Not only can you create fun decorations for your home, but you can improve your serging skills. Scrappy serger pumpkins are so cute you won’t be able to make just one! Even the tendrils are made with the serger. An empty skinny thread spool makes a great stem. I’ve included lots of color photographs to help you out every step of the way. Happy Fall! 

Follow the link below to take you to the Pattern Section of my Etsy shop – Studio J Sewing. This pattern is available as a PDF file digital download. You can begin serging pumpkins as soon as you checkout!

Purchase the serger sewing pattern, Scrappy Fabric Pumpkins, before October 31, 2020 and save 30% using Etsy coupon code SAVE30PATTERN during checkout.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/studiojsewing?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=30533440

I’d love to see the finished scrappy fabric pumpkins you made with your sergers! Please share your photos via email to jennifer@overtheedge.blog.

serging with jen

Improve your Serging with a Piping/Cording Foot

Posted on by jghuiz
improve your serging with a piping/cording foot

“Why would I want a piping/cording foot for my serger?” you might ask. Well, let me tell you. You can improve your serging with a piping/cording foot. The foot can be used to create custom piping, to attach piping, and even to install a plastic coil zipper in home decor, bags, and more with great results. So if you do any of those types of sewing and have a serger, you will benefit from a serger piping/cording foot.

The Anatomy of the Foot

Your serger piping/cording foot may look a little different than the ones pictured below. But they all function pretty much the same way. Feet designed for standard 4 thread overlock sergers will be narrower than those designed for machines that both overlock and coverstitch. The feet for 8 thread machines will be wider, because they can be used with either the overlock needles or the coverstitch needles. All of the serger piping/cording feet have a special groove on the bottom that wraps around the piping or zipper coils, keeping them in position. Since the foot guides the piping or zipper coils, you only have to worry about guiding your fabric as you serge. Insert piping and zippers nice and evenly with this foot!

a serger piping cording foot
a serger piping cording foot
a serger piping cording foot
a serger piping cording foot

Uses for a Serger Piping/Cording Foot

As the name implies, use this foot to make custom piping.

serger piping

And also to attach piping.

serger piping

Or to insert piping into a seam.

a serger piping

But you can also use the foot to install a zipper.

install a zipper with a serger piping cording foot

Project Example

I made the garment bag and travel set picture below using a serger. The zipper and the piping were both serged using a piping/cording foot.

a serger piping cording foot

Serge a Zippered Bag

My favorite use for this foot is to install a zipper. A zippered bag is the perfect project to practice inserting a zipper with a serger. You can make them in all shapes and sizes. Click on the links below to view my Serge a Stylish Zippered Bag Tutorial or my Simple Serged Bag with a Zipper Youtube video.

https://overtheedge.blog/tutorials/serge-a-stylish-zippered-bag/

Try it out and see if the piping/cording foot helps you get great results with your serger projects!

serging with jen

Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcn9466SI0g – Babylock cording foot used to make and insert piping.

https://www.asg.org/serger-piping/  – American Sewing Guild – Making and inserting piping with a serger.

https://babylock.com/learn-and-create/projects/serged-and-corded-story-time-pillow – Serger project which uses this foot for piping and zipper.

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