Let’s face it. Serger tension can be tricky AND it takes a lot of patience. All those threads create beautiful, and dare I say magical, overcast stitches but they also create more opportunities for a tension issue. Each thread has a tension dial that can either be too tight or too loose, meaning you have 8 different options for how to adjust the tension. In today’s YouTube video, I give some tips for adjusting the tension on your machine and show some common tension issues.
If you’re running short on time today, here’s a quick rundown of my top tips for adjusting the tension dials on your serger or overlocker:
1. Test out your tension on a scrap of fabric before you stitch your garment (and make sure to use the same fabric and number of layers that you plan on stitching)
2. Evaluate the stitches and consult your serger manual to identify the possible issue
3. Adjust only one dial at a time. Snap a photo with your phone if you tend to forget what adjustments you’ve been making.
4. Have patience. It’s a process of trial and error and will take a little bit of time to find the best tension settings for your fabric.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this video. I have a whole series of YouTube videos planned focused on tips and tutorials for sewing with knits. In case you missed it, make sure to check out last week’s video “How to Thread a Serger". And if you haven’t done so already, I’d be so grateful if you subscribe to my channel on YouTube. Happy sewing!
