Hi Gail, I am enjoying your "Serger Essentials" book and love your "Serger Tip Clips". I would really like to see a segment on your preferred method (flat lock or triple coverstich) for decorative seams on the construction of athletic wear. Thanks so much, I am learning so many great things from you, please keep them coming!!!
I purchased this expensive fabric guide ($100) after I took a fabulous course from Gail at the Minnesota Sewing and Quilt Expo. The guide works as well as Gail explains. I was absolutely amazed the first time I used this guide. My results are professional. Of course I bought Gail's ½" tape at the Expo--using that tape helps to keep the fabric from shifting as well as darn-near guaranteeing that the hem is turned up perfectly. When I bought my stand-alone Janome Cover Stitch machine I was told by a local instructor to turn up the hem wider than needed, stitch the cover stitch, and then trim off the excess with a very good sharp scissors. I no longer need to do that--less work and better stitches. Thank you Gail!
+Susan schultz Thanks Susan! The fabric guide is such a wonderful accessory to have for great hemming results and is very easy to use. And it's a perfect example of how the right tool takes your finished garment from "pretty good" to "perfect." Glad you think so too!
Now I know why your name is familiar...you are on Craftsy and I enrolled in your 40 Techniques class [very good!]. Your tape tip for hems is great because it gives extra support to knits and makes the finished item so much more professional looking. And this tip for the guide - I'll be finding one of those asap. Well, maybe not....there isn't one like this for my serger...but it's still a great tip. I'll figure out something.
Hi Karen, I'll put it on my list for future Tip Clips and it's one of the techniques I'll show at Sewcial in Novi, MI this April. Thanks for watching and the suggestion!
You could spray baste the edges together with temporary spray adhesive to help prevent curling. But if you decide to use your sewing machine, Coats has a new thread Eloflex. It has some stretch and will prevent popped stitches on knit garments. It's a wonderful new product for lots of applications. #Eloflex #Make It Coats
Hi Gail - I love your tips (and your class on Craftsy!) I have a Babylock coverstitch machine but my dealer never mentioned the hem guide attachment - does it work with the coverstitch machine? Do you know?
Yes it does! You may need a different guide for your model machine but the principle is exactly the same. Your dealer can tell you which one is correct. (I had the Evolution prior to the Ovation and the fabric guide looked entirely different but basically worked the same way.) If you have any other questions, be sure to stay in touch. Glad you're enjoying the Tip Clips and my Craftsy class. Thanks for watching and tell your sewing friends to subscribe to my TH-cam channel ;-)
Hi Ronnel, I like Sewkeyse 1/2"-wide double sided tape (here's the link: www.gailpatrice.com/product-page/double-sided-fusible-web). It does reduce the stretch of the hem and is permanent. So if you need to maintain the full stretchiness, a product like Wonder Tape that washes away would be a good alternate choice. Wonder Tape is available at dewing machine dealers as well as chain stores. Hope that helps-thanks!
I was all enthused about this until I researched and found that this attachment is specific to the Ovation only and not interchangeable for my Evolution serger. :(
Hi Roberta, Well the good news is that there is a fabric guide for the Evolution. It doesn't look the same but works the same way . The part # is: BLE8-FG. Loosen the guide fixing screws to adjust it right or left. I had one for my Evolution and it was great! Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!
+Mary Lou Staley Hi Mary Lou, I looked online at Viking's accessory booklet and didn't see one, however you should call your local Viking dealer and ask whether a fabric guide is available. It might not have been included in the online info. The dealer can tell you definitely whether or not one exists. Thanks very much and good luck!
Hi Kay, It might be for pressing the hem before stitching. Can you send me a photo and tell me the brand and model machine you own? I can research it and give you a better answer. Thanks!
@@GailPatriceDesign I tried to post a picture but it would not work. It is just a small paper template that I presume you align the needle with the attachment somehow. I did not even notice the template. Fabric Guide for BLES8-FG. I use on Euphoria. I didn't keep the paperwork :( that no doubt showed how to use it.
@@kayphuff Hi KAy, Now I remember what you''re referring to. It is for aligning the needles, but I never used it. If you align the fabric as shown in the Tip Clip and lock the fabric guide, it should give you accurate results. You just have to press the hem evening. Let me know if you need more help!
I unfortunately don't have a cover stitch machine. So I was wondering why this video is in the Serger Tip Clip series when it's not a serger. I have the Singer Pro Finish and have no idea how to sew a perfect 5/8" seam or any seam for that matter. There's no guide whatsoever really. If I follow the edge of the machine, I get about a 1/4" seam. I guess that's what happens when you can't afford the higher end models. Gotta start somewhere. Either I draw a line with chalk on my seam line which is time consuming or place pins on the stitch line and carefully and slowly pull them out as I go???
My serger is a combination overlock/coverstitch machine. Technically a cover stitch is a serger stitch just not the overlock mode. I do have an upcoming Tip Clip on how to get an accurate seam allowance. Mark the beginning of the designated seam allowance, align your left needle (for a 4-thread or 3-thread wide,) or the right overlock needle for a narrow 3-thread stitch with the mark and watch how much fabric the knife trims off.If you continue to trim off a consistent amount, the allowance will be accurate. You're right, it's way to time-consuming to mark the whole seam! Let me know if you need more help-thanks!
Gail Yellen since the fabric would be curling it would be difficult to maintain an accurate seam allowance. For now I think I would just surge the sides of all of the Garment pieces and then sew the seams on the sewing machine
Definitely not a serger. This is a coverstitch machine. Anyone who has a serger, NOT a coverstitch machine, or NOT a machine that converts from one to the other, will not be able to accomplish this effect. Misleading.
Hi Gail, I am enjoying your "Serger Essentials" book and love your "Serger Tip Clips". I would really like to see a segment on your preferred method (flat lock or triple coverstich) for decorative seams on the construction of athletic wear. Thanks so much, I am learning so many great things from you, please keep them coming!!!
I purchased this expensive fabric guide ($100) after I took a fabulous course from Gail at the Minnesota Sewing and Quilt Expo. The guide works as well as Gail explains. I was absolutely amazed the first time I used this guide. My results are professional. Of course I bought Gail's ½" tape at the Expo--using that tape helps to keep the fabric from shifting as well as darn-near guaranteeing that the hem is turned up perfectly. When I bought my stand-alone Janome Cover Stitch machine I was told by a local instructor to turn up the hem wider than needed, stitch the cover stitch, and then trim off the excess with a very good sharp scissors. I no longer need to do that--less work and better stitches. Thank you Gail!
+Susan schultz
Thanks Susan! The fabric guide is such a wonderful accessory to have for great hemming results and is very easy to use. And it's a perfect example of how the right tool takes your finished garment from "pretty good" to "perfect." Glad you think so too!
Now I know why your name is familiar...you are on Craftsy and I enrolled in your 40 Techniques class [very good!].
Your tape tip for hems is great because it gives extra support to knits and makes the finished item so much more professional looking. And this tip for the guide - I'll be finding one of those asap. Well, maybe not....there isn't one like this for my serger...but it's still a great tip. I'll figure out something.
Hi Karen, I'll put it on my list for future Tip Clips and it's one of the techniques I'll show at Sewcial in Novi, MI this April. Thanks for watching and the suggestion!
You could spray baste the edges together with temporary spray adhesive to help prevent curling. But if you decide to use your sewing machine, Coats has a new thread Eloflex. It has some stretch and will prevent popped stitches on knit garments. It's a wonderful new product for lots of applications.
#Eloflex
#Make It Coats
Thanks Karen! Great video!
Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!
Wow thanks so much for sharing you are a terrific teacher
Kelly Hipkins thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips Kelly and let me know if you need help or have questions!
Hi Gail - I love your tips (and your class on Craftsy!) I have a Babylock coverstitch machine but my dealer never mentioned the hem guide attachment - does it work with the coverstitch machine? Do you know?
Yes it does! You may need a different guide for your model machine but the principle is exactly the same. Your dealer can tell you which one is correct. (I had the Evolution prior to the Ovation and the fabric guide looked entirely different but basically worked the same way.)
If you have any other questions, be sure to stay in touch. Glad you're enjoying the Tip Clips and my Craftsy class. Thanks for watching and tell your sewing friends to subscribe to my TH-cam channel ;-)
Which brand of hem tape would you use for a stretchy knit.
Hi Ronnel, I like Sewkeyse 1/2"-wide double sided tape (here's the link: www.gailpatrice.com/product-page/double-sided-fusible-web). It does reduce the stretch of the hem and is permanent. So if you need to maintain the full stretchiness, a product like Wonder Tape that washes away would be a good alternate choice. Wonder Tape is available at dewing machine dealers as well as chain stores. Hope that helps-thanks!
I was all enthused about this until I researched and found that this attachment is specific to the Ovation only and not interchangeable for my Evolution serger. :(
Hi Roberta,
Well the good news is that there is a fabric guide for the Evolution. It doesn't look the same but works the same way . The part # is: BLE8-FG. Loosen the guide fixing screws to adjust it right or left. I had one for my Evolution and it was great! Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!
Do they make a fabric guide for Vikings 936 serger?
+Mary Lou Staley
Hi Mary Lou, I looked online at Viking's accessory booklet and didn't see one, however you should call your local Viking dealer and ask whether a fabric guide is available. It might not have been included in the online info. The dealer can tell you definitely whether or not one exists. Thanks very much and good luck!
+Gail Yellen Thank you for your quick reply. I will call my dealer tomorrow.
My attachment came with a small cardboard template but I’m not sure how to use it.
Hi Kay,
It might be for pressing the hem before stitching. Can you send me a photo and tell me the brand and model machine you own? I can research it and give you a better answer. Thanks!
@@GailPatriceDesign I tried to post a picture but it would not work. It is just a small paper template that I presume you align the needle with the attachment somehow. I did not even notice the template. Fabric Guide for BLES8-FG. I use on Euphoria. I didn't keep the paperwork :( that no doubt showed how to use it.
@@kayphuff Hi KAy, Now I remember what you''re referring to. It is for aligning the needles, but I never used it. If you align the fabric as shown in the Tip Clip and lock the fabric guide, it should give you accurate results. You just have to press the hem evening. Let me know if you need more help!
@@GailPatriceDesign Thank you .Figured if I had it I should maybe be using it. Didn't want to miss a trick. lol. Thanks for being so prompt also.
@@kayphuff thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips Kay!
I unfortunately don't have a cover stitch machine. So I was wondering why this video is in the Serger Tip Clip series when it's not a serger.
I have the Singer Pro Finish and have no idea how to sew a perfect 5/8" seam or any seam for that matter. There's no guide whatsoever really. If I follow the edge of the machine, I get about a 1/4" seam. I guess that's what happens when you can't afford the higher end models. Gotta start somewhere.
Either I draw a line with chalk on my seam line which is time consuming or place pins on the stitch line and carefully and slowly pull them out as I go???
My serger is a combination overlock/coverstitch machine. Technically a cover stitch is a serger stitch just not the overlock mode. I do have an upcoming Tip Clip on how to get an accurate seam allowance. Mark the beginning of the designated seam allowance, align your left needle (for a 4-thread or 3-thread wide,) or the right overlock needle for a narrow 3-thread stitch with the mark and watch how much fabric the knife trims off.If you continue to trim off a consistent amount, the allowance will be accurate. You're right, it's way to time-consuming to mark the whole seam! Let me know if you need more help-thanks!
Gail Yellen since the fabric would be curling it would be difficult to maintain an accurate seam allowance. For now I think I would just surge the sides of all of the Garment pieces and then sew the seams on the sewing machine
Definitely not a serger. This is a coverstitch machine. Anyone who has a serger, NOT a coverstitch machine, or NOT a machine that converts from one to the other, will not be able to accomplish this effect. Misleading.
This is a serger. She has the Coverstitch plate on. I know I have one!