Flatlocking serged seams - in downloads
There are a few ways to flatlock using a serger. I wasn't thrilled with how my garment that was just flatlocked looked so I experimented with serging the seams first. Here is how I did it. I am using the TDK undies pattern for this tutorial, but you can use this technique on many different items.
Option 1: When I checked some ready-to-wear that we had, this is how ALL of the pieces were flatlocked. It does not make the seam totally flat on the inside, but it gives you a great decorative stitch. This way works a little more like topstitching than making a seamless feel on the wrong side.
Step 1: Serge your seams like usual (right sides together).
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl012.jpg
Step 2: Iron serged seams flat.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl014.jpg
Step 3: Set your machine for flatlock according to your machine's manual. I have a Husky 936. Make sure you make other adjustments to your machine as needed. You may need to change your foot, cover or lower your blade, and/or make other adjustments.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl007.jpg
Step 4: Fold fabric to be flatlocked along seam line with wrong sides together.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl016.jpg
Step 5: Flatlock seam.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl019.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl021.jpg
Step 6: Open flatlocked seam flat.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl022.jpg
Backside-
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl025.jpg
Finished
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl068.jpg
Option 2: I wanted something that was smooth on the underside despite being serged first. I experimented with another technique.
Follow steps 1-3 in Option 1.
Step 4: Fold fabric over serged seam with wrong sides together. Keep fabric tight against serged seam.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl026.jpg
Step 5: Flatlock seam.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl029.jpg
Step 6: Open flatlocked seam flat.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl033.jpg
Backside
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl036.jpg
Side by side:
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl042.jpg
Option 2 works great for the inner seams of the undies, but the seam popped when I tried to flatlock the leg opening. I would suggest going with option 1 for any bindings (shown on leg openings). I am not sure how the waist will hold up to washings.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../sg-owl063.jpg
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
what serger is that you have fancy nancy?? :)
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Step 3: Set your machine for flatlock according to your machine's manual. I have a Husky 936. Make sure you make other adjustments to your machine as needed. You may need to change your foot, cover or lower your blade, and/or make other adjustments.
It's a Husky 936
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Thanks Mel for doing all this flatlocking work for us! I will try it when I feel better!
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Thanks so much for this tute mel! Flatlocking is something I've definitely wanted to work on learning!
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Thanks so much! This is perfect and looks mire durable then a normal flatlocking technique.
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Wow, thanks for doing this! It really makes sense to me now. Now I need to make something to try this out.
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Awesome tutorial!!! I totally need to try this. Thanks so much! :heart:
Re: Flatlocking serged seams
Thank you so much for posting this :) I want to try it on some fall/winter sewing this year!
Re: Flatlocking serged seams - in downloads
Update:
Option 1 worked really well. The nightgown and undies I made with that method are still going strong, and the stitching looks great!
Option 2 was a complete failure. It held up for a few washes, but it popped after that.
Re: Flatlocking serged seams - in downloads
Re: Flatlocking serged seams - in downloads