Remembering Those Serger Settings

New fabrics are always fun to work with. I love to bring home a new fabric. The first thing I do is find that perfect serger setting and serge all the raw edges. This is an important step before washing the fabric since it helps prevent the edges from fraying. Then, I'm ready to use the fabric for whatever project is necessary.

But the second time I buy this fabric, I just want to get down to business. I don't want to spend maybe 15 minutes finding the perfect serger setting. I just want to serge the edges and wash the fabric. The problem is each fabric has a unique serger setting. So I've developed a little method to help me keep track of the many different settings I have to use. I record that perfect setting and write in on a sticker. Then I take that sticker and stick it firmly on a small scrap of fabric. Now, when I begin a project, I know exactly what setting that fabric needs. The problems are solved and my sewing projects are completed with less aggravation and far more speed.

Keeping Sewing Cords Under Control

If you're anything like me, you don't just have one sewing machine with a single cord. It can never be that simple. There's the serger, iron, and whatever other small appliances you need for your particular sewing project. And all those cords get in the way and tangle in the knees when I'm sewing. It's very irritating and quite easy to solve.

I picked up a couple 2" magnetic bulldog clips at the local office supply store. I do a lot of shopping for my sewing supplies over there. These clips just about saved my life. I use them to secure the many cords to the underside of the sewing table. Of course, you need a metal table (or metal on the table) for this to work. Once clipped, the cords are kept away from my legs while I'm working, don't tangle with themselves, and are not in the way. Therefore, I don't trip on them as I move around the room, and my children and dogs don't get tangled and pull a heavy sewing machine or iron down on top of themselves.

Steadying Sewing Spools

Have you ever bought thread spools with a center hole too large to fit on your spool holder? Well, I did. The colors I needed didn't come in the size that would fit my holder. When using these spools, they rattle all over the place and sometimes even fly off the machine. A quick fix was certainly in order.

I had two options. I could do as a friend of mine suggested and unroll the entire spool then reroll it on a spool that fits. I keep the old spools for my children to use in their many craft projects, so I had plenty of spools around. However, even using the machine, this would take a while and I'd have to do it again every time I purchase this particular sized spool. Not my idea of a good time.

Instead, I hit the craft store and went immediately to the wooden beads section, spool firmly in hand. After a little trial and error, I found a bead that fit snugly into the thread center hole. An electric drill helped me to drill a hole though the center of the bead to fit the spool holder perfectly. The best thing? I'm keeping the beads. Next time I have to buy that sized spool, I'll have a bead all ready to go.