Making Friends with Your Serger

Class Preview

Have you recently bought a serger and aren’t sure where to start? Or perhaps you’ve owned one for a while, and it’s sitting in the box because you don’t remember how to use it? In either case, this class is what you need to be serging like a pro in no time. Making Friends with Your Serger is a boot camp to get you feeling comfortable with your serger in the shortest time possible. Unlike other classes, your instructor ZJ Humbach focuses on just the basics rather than overwhelming you with every possible thing a serger can do. ZJ breaks the class into manageable sessions that let you learn your serger inside out. There’s no need to rush. Take your time and master each session before moving onto the next or come back and review individual segments as needed. By the end of the class, you’ll feel comfortable with your serger and confident in your newfound skills to make the bonus project that’s included. Included is a step-by-step guide to serge a placement and napkin set along with a shopping guide detailing everything needed for the project.

Session 1: What Sets a Serger Apart

Why do you need a serger in addition to a sewing machine? In this segment, ZJ Humbach introduces you to the wide variety of time saving applications a serger can perform. You’ll also learn the differences among 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-thread sergers and how each will meet your various sewing needs.

Session 2: Getting to Know Your Serger

This thorough introduction to your machine that ensures you understand each and every part of the serger and know what types of needles to use and when to use them. A comprehensive overview of serger thread ensures you know why serger thread is different and covers a variety of decorative and utilitarian threads.

Session 3: Trouble Free Serging

This in-depth look at maintenance and troubleshooting will give you the confidence to perform basic maintenance on your serger and fix problems quickly. Tips to avoid costly maintenance are also provided.

Session 4: Getting Started

An easy color-coded method breaks down how to thread your serger and ensures you understand each stitch the serger makes. You’ll also develop the proper technique for sewing both inside and outside corners and curves and learn several methods for securing your stitches.

Session 5: Overlock Stitches

Master the workhorse stitches of the serger. Start with the 4-thread overlock stitch, to include gathering, and move onto the 3-thread overlock stitches, including the wide, narrow, and lettuce edge stitches. In this segment, ZJ Humbach gives tips and suggestions for when to use each stitch.

Session 6: Hemming Stitches

Discover how easy it is to add professional finishes to your projects using the 3-thread narrow edge or rolled hemming stitches and how to do a delicate 2-thread rolled hem that is so popular for heirloom work. Learn when to use each application and which threads to use.

Session 7: Super Simple Placemat and Napkin

This bonus project pulls together everything you’ve learned in class. You’ll make a designer placemat and napkin in less than half an hour. Learn how to turn a basic construction stitch into a decorative focal point simply by choosing the right thread and twisting a dial.

Meet Your Instructor

Learn more about your instructor, ZJ Humbach.