Serging curves?

[PaulineG]

I seem to have a problem serging curves. The loops hang off the edge of the fabric. I've tried adjusting the lower looper tension and it helps a little bit but not a lot. Is there anything else I should be trying? The tension is fine for the same fabric on the straight.

[DorothyL]

My serging book says you have to stretch the fabric as straight as you can and with practice you will get it right. I'm still practicing myself.

[kaitlinnegan]

Ugh. I never could get the curves just right. It seems to me that the cutting edge is too far from the needles (about 1") to be able to do a tight curve, and even a gradual curve takes a lot of dinking around. I would dearly love to be able to serge all my pattern pieces before I sew a garment, but I can't manage to get it to work just yet. At least I can serge the straight pieces..

[Joni Lowe]

What if you were to snip the curves like you do when applying a curved facing? Would this be a viable solution?

[DorothyL]

Well, you'd be able to pull it straighter but I don't think I'd like those sniped places.

[craftedbybeth]

I've had a hard time with this too. My serging seems to fall off the edge of the fabric on inside curves no matter how straight I make the piece. I've tried all kinds of adjustments with no luck. Beth

[Judi]

When I'm serging curves, whether inside or outside curves, I have to really slow down. I use both hands to guide the fabric, one in front and one behind. Guide the fabric so it's straightest when the needles are actually going into the fabric. On an inside curve, I do 'straighten' the curve a bit, without stretching the fabric. You can clip just a bit there, not enough that it would be noticeable, but enough to let you sew a straighter line. Remember, that this is the same as you'd do on a regular seam when turning the seam, so you can press it flat.

it's trickier on the outside curves. If there is any extra fabric in the seam allowance, I trim it away before I stitch. Then it doesn't matter where that edge lies before it reaches the needles. I try to keep it straight at the needles, and just after that point.

The main thing is to go slowly though.

[toadusew]

I'm still trying to master this myself! However, lately, I've found that I've done a little better on the outside edges of facings.

[DorothyL]

I'm fine on outside curves like facings as long as I pay attention. But those inside curves are still a problem.

[bridesmom]

I have trouble with curves too, but I figure as long as its on the inside and isn't showing, I can live with loopy threads.