Angela Wolf: Serging for Function & Fashion

For this Serger Month interview, we had the chance to sit down with Angela Wolf and discuss how she utilizes serging to create stunning garments! It’s not just about the functional stitching; it’s also about getting creative with decorative stitches and threads. Angela has been designing and constructing garments her whole life, as well as teaching, hosting shows, and creating educational content online focused on using sergers to construct and decorate garments. Angela previously hosted sewing focused TV shows, and was featured as a teacher on Craftsy. Traveling all over the world to share her knowledge, at in person shows and through her digital presence. She is the perfect person to look to for anyone who wants to learn how to use their sergers for more than just structural work!

Of course, as a clothing maker, Angela highlighted how important it is to have a serger. “For finishing seams, it’s a must!” She explained that sergers allow you to ensure that the inside of a garment looks as good as it does on the outside, with a professional and quality finish. Some projects can even be completed using strictly serging, such as leggings. But sergers can be used for a lot more than just crisp seams if you are willing to get creative and experiment. Angela also uses her serger to create quick and easy pintucks, as well as gathering fabric or creating pleats.

“Once you start playing with sergers you realize that they do so much”

Angela mentioned how great it can be to get a serger and just play around with it to learn more about what the machines can do. She aims to encourage people to step outside the box of just using sergers for finishing seams and explore the possibilities, especially when moving into the world of decorative serging, which opens up a whole new way to use your serger. For instance, she uses decorative stitching to add accents on garments or even to create her own fabrics. Often, she will cover a blank fabric with decorative stitching prior to making it into a garment, allowing her to further customize her projects. But she loves continuing to work with all the different functions and stitches to find new ways to use her serger.

“It's good to start small, teaching yourself how to use your machine and doing simple projects. First, learn how to thread your machine! It’s important to know how to properly position the threads, as well as which threads should be used in the loopers and needles.” Angela enjoys using SoftLoc™, our tex 35 wooly polyester thread, in her loopers but this thread cannot be used in the needle. So, she uses Designer™, our 40wt all-purpose polyester thread, in the needles. Learning these basics allows you to create a good base to expand upon. Angela recommends then working on simple projects. “Grab some fabric and make a pillow or something easy to get used to using the serger. Just try it!” Many people get nervous when working on sergers or trying to use the loopers, so this will help you get over these fears and finish some projects.

Angela’s number one tip for anyone new to serging is to always test your stitches “every fabric handles differently in the serger”. Even more so than on a sewing machine, stitches can very on different fabrics and require some fine tunning before starting any project. So be sure to always test all the stitches you will be using, on the fabric you intend to use so you can find the right settings prior to starting.  Especially when working with finicky fabrics such as silk, which Angela works with often for garments.

Thread is another important factor to consider when serging. Angela’s go to threads for structural work are SoftLoc™, for her loopers, and Designer™, in her needle. SoftLoc™ is a great choice for serging projects as it is extremely soft and has great coverage. “The softness of the thread is great for kid’s clothes and seams”.  Colour is also important when choosing a thread for garment construction as you often need your thread to perfectly match your fabric. Angela worked with us in creating the colours for SoftLoc™, so she knows it has all the colour variety she needs for any project. “When we were working on it, I looked through all the existing colours and added colours that were in style” to ensure there was a great selection of colours.

For decorative serging Angela likes to experiment with more decorative threads, “if you use basic thread all the time it’s boring”. She often uses GlaMore™, our 12wt rayon metallic, to add accents on garments with decorative serger stitches. Angela has even used GlaMore™ for rolled hems, to make them functional and fashionable.

If you want to learn more from Angela Wolf, check out her social media and website linked below to keep up with her classes and projects! Or look out for her new show “Fabric to Fashion” on Made Myself TV. This reality-style TV series showcases talented designers and sewists from around the globe!