Flatlocking serged seams - in downloads

[sewingmel]

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).



Step 2: Iron serged seams flat.



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.



Step 4: Fold fabric to be flatlocked along seam line with wrong sides together.



Step 5: Flatlock seam.





Step 6: Open flatlocked seam flat.



Backside-


Finished


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.



Step 5: Flatlock seam.



Step 6: Open flatlocked seam flat.



Backside


Side by side:


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.

[verycraftymama]

what serger is that you have fancy nancy??

[Misty589]

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

[northernmama]

mel, THANK YOU!!!!

[cinnamama]

Thanks Mel for doing all this flatlocking work for us! I will try it when I feel better!

[Chrisnkelley]

Thanks so much for this tute mel! Flatlocking is something I've definitely wanted to work on learning!

[LAB]

Thanks so much! This is perfect and looks mire durable then a normal flatlocking technique.

[ericaeli]

Wow, thanks for doing this! It really makes sense to me now. Now I need to make something to try this out.

[Juniper]

Great tutorial!! Thanks!

[Cheryann]

Awesome tutorial!!! I totally need to try this. Thanks so much!

[Carmen74]

Thank you so much for posting this I want to try it on some fall/winter sewing this year!

[sewingmel]

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.

[suprneko]

Thanks for that update!

[Cheryann]

Thanks for updating Mel.