6 Serging Tips From Pam Mahshie

Did you know that April is Serger Month? To celebrate we have interviewed some of the best serger experts to bring you hints, tips, and insights that can improve your serging! Be sure to stay tuned this month as we have four extra special interviews coming out throughout the month of April.

 First up, we had the privilege of chatting with Pam Mahshie from Bernina America about her work with sergers (aka Overlockers). Pam has been working in the industry for over 40 years and has a passion for showing creators how to use their machines in different and unique ways. Especially sergers! Since she helps to develop machines in her position at Bernina, she is very familiar with what they can do and how they can help people expand their creative horizons.

 When she got started in the industry, sergers were used in such a utilitarian way. But Pam learned very quickly they could be used for so much more, like decorative work and quilting! She was on the ground floor of expanding the uses of sergers, and teaching people how to experiment with them. Finding a passion for teaching people how to get creative.

 While chatting with Pam, we unearthed 6 of her best serger tips, that you can use in your own serger projects. Everything from how to get started, to how to become an expert!

1 Don’t Be Afraid of sergers!

“Number one don’t be afraid of sergers! If you let them take advantage of you, they will!”

 Pam explained that it’s natural to have some apprehension when working with a new machine! But once you can get over that sense of apprehension, there are so many creative ways you can use sergers in your sewing practice. “Any kind of new product, a car, a refrigerator, a serger, have some apprehension. What holds you back? Just yourself!”

As the Overock business manager for Bernina America, Pam aims to teach people how to work with their sergers and get comfortable using them. She highlighted how important it is to practice and explore by trying new things in every project. She said the best thing about serging is that you are always discovering new stitches, new techniques, and new ways to include serging in your projects. But you have to continue to push yourself!

 “Always try to push and do more to make the next thing you learn your favourite thing”.

2 Get to know your serger

Pam emphasized the numerous advancements in serger technology that have significantly reduced the intimidation factor associated with these machines. To fully leverage these features, it's essential to familiarize yourself with your specific machine. For example, air threading greatly simplifies the threading process, particularly for specific sequences. Likewise, larger screens equipped with helpful tips assist sewers in selecting stitches. Therefore, it's crucial to select the right serger for your needs and become acquainted with its features. The more familiar you are with your serger, the greater your capabilities with it will be. Additionally, Pam mentioned that it can be helpful to reach out to your dealer if you have questions. Many sewing shops have classes which teach you how to use your machine. Take advantage of these resources when you can! Or look into Bernina’s resources for their sergers. Pam and the Bernina team are always working to share their knowledge and educate people about serging!

3 Utilize Tools & Accessories

Pam noted how important it is to use the tools that come with your serger. Many sewers overlook the importance of such tools, or never learn to use them properly. Seger tools and accessories can really improve your experience and make for a better end product. She mentioned thread nets as an example! Thread nets come with most sergers and can be extremely helpful, especially when working with metallics. They help the thread to flow more easily into the machine and make for an easier serging experience. But often they get forgotten or left in the box!

4 Utilize the Versatility

Many people believe sergers have only a single function, but Pam explained that this is one of many myths that turn people off from working with sergers. Serger stitches are extremely versatile. Pam highlighted how much she uses her own serger! About 90% of her sewing is done on the serger rather than on her sewing machine. As you sew more with your serger you will find that the same stitch can have a different look depending on if you use the top or bottom side on your project. Even further you can easily adjust the width of your stitch, or the thread weight you are using to change up the look!

 When we asked Pam what her favourite serger technique is she said, “how do you pick just one, that’s what I like is that there doesn’t have to be just one”! There are two sides to a serger machine that both allow for very different stitches. The overlock side and the cover stitch side. It’s worthwhile to work extensively with both “sides” and see how they differ. Possibly finding a favourite technique for each side! Pam said she has different techniques she likes for either “side” of the machine.

5 Use the Right Thread

Pam uses many different WonderFil® threads, depending on what look she wants for a project. Highlighting that it’s important to consider what fabric you are working with, what stitch you’re using, and what you want your end result to be when choose a thread for your project. But her favourite thread to serge with is Spagetti™! This 12wt, long staple Egyptian cotton thread is a great choice for beginners and experts alike. 12wt threads are thick enough to have a big impact but are easy to work with in the serger. “12wt thread elevates the look of many stitches. Or you can take multiple threads and combine them!”

 It’s also important to work with strong threads, that won’t break or shred as you work. Pam mentioned this as well as she explained why she enjoys working with Spagetti™!

 “The twist on Spagetti™ is so strong! I have never had it break while working with it.”

6 Start Small

Many sewers have sergers sitting in their closet at home but have a hard time finding reasons to use them. Pam highlighted that once you find a reason to use your serger, even if it’s just in small ways, you’ll fall in love with it!

 Her favourite project to recommend to quilters, who have a hard time finding ways to use their sergers is attaching your binding. More specifically, using an iron fusible thread (like WonderFil’s Iron N’ Fuse™) in your lower loopers, and stitching around the edge of your quilt before attaching your binding. You can then fold your binding into place, and iron it down. The Iron N’ Fuse will hold the binding in place as you stitch and can be much more effective than pins or binding clips. This is a great beginner project, that Pam says will help you get the serger out of the closet and onto the sewing table.

Pam and the team over at Bernina are extremely passionate about sharing their knowledge! So, if you are looking for more serger tips they have plenty of resources you can look to. You can visit Bernina.com to learn more about their machines, and the features they offer. Or check out The Joy of Serging on YouTube, a series where they chat and sew with special guests to inspire sewers learning to work with the machines!