Serger Tips: Thinking & Serging outside the box

Using a Serger to it's fullest potential is always a goal of mine. Taking advantage of all of the latest feet, and how to  incorporate them into your projects somewhere, somehow................this is what you need to do to become confident. 

When you select a sewing pattern to work with, think of all of the places on this project that you can use a serger foot. Blind hem, finishing edges, taping and embellishment on inside seams, maybe a rolled hem on the scarf that you make to wear with it. A decorative or functional cover stitch for hemming or embellishment. Maybe a gathered/ruffle attached to your hemline. Try the elastic foot for your waistband. 

The next step to take is to look at your pattern steps, and plan on how you can make it simpler by using the feet to save time and eliminate extra work for yourself. If you plan on finishing edges,  plan for that first. Particularly with the taping foot, a great foot for embellishing edges, giving edges a couture like seam finish. The second is to embellish any pieces before construction. You can do this later as well. Start construction keeping in mind that serger construction will replace sewing machine construction in some way depending on the pattern choice. Maybe a mock waistband, I love doing these. 

Plan always to do a technique sample first of each technique to keep for future use. This will always save you time. Technique samples are a must. This is where you can look at your work ahead of time, and make any adjustments before you actually start  on your fabric. Think of all of the decorative threads you can be using for embellishment.These work very nicely on upper and lower loopers. 

Chainstitiching as decorative shows up very well. Practice sewing in circular motion with your serger using your chain stitch. Your extension table is terrific for this. Practice serging in straight lines with your chain stitch and then create a gingham look. The list really is endless. A favorite is making tassles with chainstiching, and creative buttons  featured in my article for Sew News pillows this past April issue using decorative thread. I love to use the serger. Practice, practice practice.

 Make your own embellishment fabric using chainstitch, and then cut your collar or cuffs, or yoke out of the fabric you just created. The best place for your serger is beside you in your sewing room.  Take your owners lessons, as soon as you get it, you will become more confident, and pursue classes. Choose serger sewing patterns which actually make it easy for you to follow.The steps have already been arranged for you in the right order to keep your serging quick and easy. Make a list of all of the feet you can use and have a trial run at a pattern with a simple fabric. 

Allow yourself the extra time to try, understand and accomplish the steps. You will definitely come out a winner  if you have worked at these little hints I have just shared with you. 

Happy Serging everyone..........................Cheryl

Time to let go

It is that time of year again, when I must go through all of the samples, I have had so much fun creating over the last few years, and move them on to a new space.
In doing so, I have come across a few that I completely forgot I had with some really cool techniques which I will share with you. I will photo them before I move them on. I can't possibly keep everything............You have to appreciate technology and storage devices for photo's.   Hurray.............a great way to store your sample memories. 


Back to Inspiring..........Have a great weekend. 

Artistic Interpretations of Colour

California Sunset Laguna Beach

Artistic interpretations of colours and nature around us can guide us in creating projects in sewing for home decorating, fashion or quilting, machine embroidery, paper art, painting, graphics, illustration, and the list goes on and on. If you can think of anymore to add, by all means share them with us. You have to love what you can capture in a photograph for inspiration, and then run with your ideas. Experimentation is your best friend. And don't worry if things aren't just right. They don't have to be. Just have fun. Photographs will always bring us back to the moment. Aim for your creative piece to bring you back to the moment. 


This piece was in construction stages in the photograph, but has since been completed with lots of little details added. And yes, everyone would have their own interpretation, as we all see things from a different perspective. But this was a delight to work with, and machine embroidery is always terrific to explore with your pieces. This is a have fun experimentation piece using the Texture Hoop. Each time you explore this you will have a different result. Have fun. 

Kids and Creative Exploration

You have to love what is available to share with kids in creative exploration. I came along to these fields in technology a bit later, (yes, I am dating myself) but as they say its never too late to learn. 
Many children now are introduced to creative programs on their computers in Kindergarten. (and actually much sooner than that now).  


I had the pleasure of exploring some courses this past winter, with some great instructors at Brock U. This was a new realm for me, something that some of our younger generations had already experienced in one way or another. The elements of Graphic design.  After only a few classes, and instructors who could relate their teaching to our specific fields I could see how  this information could be applied to a field that I love so much. Sewing.  I would love to explore this with my sewing students. 

California Sunset Laguna Beach

Working with Adobe Photoshop, In Design,  and Illustrator I began to understand designing  fabric prints. Wow! I was so consumed with the results that I have shared this as part of our sewing curriculum for our young learners. And I am just as fascinated with the prospect of creating printed fabrics, a fabric line, and the end result, designed projects with these fabrics even if it just stays as an idea..............We are all having so much fun learning. 


They can print their creative prints on printer fabric to start.


Just another creative exploration trail for you to follow if you are  teaching kids of all ages to sew. I am sure your students will have lots of hints to help you along..................as they have already shared many with me. You have to love what teaching and learning has to offer for all of us.




Thank you Aldo, James and Paxton for great insight into the world of graphics and media design. 

Get your Serger Elastic Feet ready

I am very busy inspiring with some new sewing tips and of course serger. I will share them with you soon. And share some more photos with you as well.  Get your serger elastic feet ready.   :) Cheryl

Cheryl & Etsy.com

I thought I might share with you that I will be featuring some one of a kind designs that are going to be on my Etsy Store available for 2011. 


And yes......they will be using yarns. Keep watching my postings at seecherylsew.blogspot.com  and you will be the first to get the details. 


My weakness is texture and yarns...........................

Serger Freestanding Lace and Beading Applications

I thought I might add some blue to my blog, and shock everyone that it isn't bright red, burgundy or pink. Did you know that you can make freestanding lace with your Coverstitch feature on your serger. I have added some string pearls down the centre and yes these can be added using a beading or pearl foot with a special technique.

Left: This Serger lace can be added to any project simply by machine stitching it into place. You can find out about all of the latest Serger Techniques if you attend one of my Serger Seminars or workshops at a Husqvarna Viking dealership in your area.




 I will be posting dates and locations of  lectures, and sewing and serger events on my blog in the future so that you can attend them if you wish. We always have a lot of fun at them:)

Below: Serger lace that can be cut and inserted into a seam, stitched curvy or embroidery added. 


Happy Serging Everyone. 

Old and New Together

R&R Today

Serger Gathering Foot and Rolled hem feature

Choose your favourite cotton piece for fall and turn it into a circular place mat for the centre of your table. Cut your strips for your gathered piece and using your rolled hem feature on your serger, stitch a  rolled hem finish using decorative thread along one long edge of the strip. Use your gathering foot on your serger (yes it can gather and attach to the circular piece all in one step) gather and attach your strip right sides together to your circular piece. You can create a one of  kind circular mat. Add Gourds, a fall flower arrangement or simply candles. I added a cream colour singular mat on top that I purchased to add some detail. Just one thing, now that  fall is almost over  you can start with a holiday season one. Enjoy..................Cheryl

Skills Canada

I will be mentoring..........again this year for Skills Canada. I can hardly wait to see all  of our new faces this year in St. Catharines Ontario. 

Skills Canada – Ontario is proud to offer the “Skills Work!^® for Women” Networking Dinner Series across the province. These inspiring career exploration events foster a positive environment, in which young women in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to meet and network with tradeswoman from their community.

Over the course of the evening students will have a chance to learn about each mentor’s career journey and experiences. Students can also find out what they need to begin doing now to pursue their future career goals and aspirations.

It promises to be an inspiring night for all as students learn how to make connections and informed decisions about their future.

Kids & Creative Arts/Sewing

Inspiring kids to sew has to be the most rewarding experience. When people ask me about sewing and say 
" Is sewing a dying art"  I have to explain to them that as long as we are teaching new generations, it will always be very much alive. Kids love to be inspired with the latest fashion trends, participate and watch fashion shows, and experience. They love to make gifts for their family and friends, pet projects, home decorating, quilting and exploration. I believe there are many kids being inspired by fashion television, magazines, the sewing industry, their peers, and their desire to learn in education . They are the future in fashion, quilting, and home decorating with all that the newest in technology has to offer. 

Colours that inspire my projects

Very pretty flowers in Alberta

Rock Formations in Mattawa Ontario

The golden colours do resemble my yarns:)

Hand dyed Merino Wool |Mineville Nova Scotia|

What inspires your projects? Is it colour, texture, a beautiful fabric piece, or an innovative pattern? 

Soft to Crinkled Satin

You will have the opportunity to explore a quick and easy way to crinkle your own fabric in Creative Machine Embroidery Nov/Dec 2010 Issue. In this photograph you will see the satin plain in the background, and the crinkled version sitting in front.  It is so much fun, and I am sure you will find something in your stash to crinkle just in time for the holidays. I used satin for this article. Add a pretty embroidery once your project is complete .Enjoy  Cheryl

Creative Inspiration

Baby Alpaca| Peru

Hand Spun Pure Wool Kettle Dyed  | Uruguay

Rayon, Linen, Silk, Nylon| Italy

I can't imagine a day without yarn in my work. Even if it just sits in a basket nearby inspiring me with its colour, I will eventually think of something to incorporate it into. Many people collect fat quarters and pretty fabric pieces. I collect yarn. Yes, I sew, but I love to embellish. I am going to make a difference in my work, to include many of these pretty collective skeins to inspire my future pieces. Who would believe that something so simple could bring someone so much inspiration. Watch for my pieces in the future. I will keep you posted on where they are featured.

Creative Edge Embellishment Serger

Boiled wool Jacket with Special Serger Edge Finishes and  yarn Couching.

Imagine the excitement of a technique that you can finish all of your edges with simply by using one of your sergers  creative feet like the taping foot. I fell in love with the finish it creates. This technique is featured in my article for Sew News Magazine Oct/Nov 2010 Issue. I can hardly wait for you to try it. Finish all of your jacket seams, and skip the lining with this technique. Very professional look on fabrics such as boiled wool using hand spun pure wool kettle dyed for yarn couching .  Just in time for Fall and Winter. If you have any techniques that save you time on your serger please share it with us.


http://www.sewnews.com/articles/Tailor_Made_Texture