Released July 3, 2009
by Jodie Marquis
Did you know your serger can crochet?
Well almost, you can get a crocheted ‘look’ with just a plain 3 thread serger stitch by using the crochet thread your grandma used to use to crochet her doilies, table cloths, or bed spreads with. That fine thread comes on a roll and threads easily through your looper eye. You’ll be amazed at how much this technique resembles a simple crochet edge.
I use one needle but you could use 2 if you want too. I really only have my serger set up as a 3 thread serger: one for the needle and 2 for loopers. Tensions are set to normal mostly depending on your fabric. You’ll have to ‘play’ around with this a little to find the variation to fit your fabric but it should not be too far from your normal settings. The differential feed is not really used. The stitch is the plain old regular serger stitch. The crochet thread is only in the top looper and regular serger thread in the needle and bottom looper to match. So you see it will not take as much crochet thread that way either. I used variegated crochet thread on one project and found the results exceptional.
The first time you serge around the fabric the blade cuts the edge of the fabric. The next time around you want to put your blade down or be very careful to NOT cut the edging since essentially you are ‘building up’ stitches upon stitches to achieve the crocheted look you’re seeking.
The third time around you need to gather it by holding your finger behind the presser foot and allowing the fabric to bunch up a lot occasionally letting go and doing this over and over again. This will put the gathered edge on it (editor’s suggestion: practice on a simple scrap first until you get the hang of this technique).
Originally I had just decided to try using the crochet thread I had purchased previously because it was too small for me to crochet with. I had used the variegated colors to couch with before so I tried it as an edging first on flannel and fleece baby blankets. I had been using wooly nylon for the edging which was getting too expensive. I was looking for an alternative to use for an edging so I tried the crochet thread and this idea was born!
Extra pictures:
this is wonderful. I love making baby receiving blankets but hate the thought of having the edging cost more than the fabric. (wooly nylon) I am blessed to have a place to donate my receiving blankets and this will make it more afforadable. Thank you
Comment by Jacalyn — July 3, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
What a cute idea! Can’t wait to try it with a blend of colors, or all solids on a small blanket I am working on. Thanks for sharing, Pam
Comment by Pam — July 3, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
This is very interesting I will try it when I get a chance, Alice
Comment by Alice Jackson — July 3, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
What a wonderful idea!!! I have many, many balls of crochet cotton that I no longer use. Can’t crochet with anything that small anymore. Now, I can use it. Thanks so much!!
Comment by jnnealy — July 3, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
Another easy way to do this is to change your stitch length. Start with a length of 4 for the first time of two around. Then decrease the length to 3 for a round or two. Then decrease the length to 2. If you want a really tight ruffle, be patient and change the length to 1 and stitch slowly. This technique really makes a pretty edge. All kinds of decorative threads in both loopers makes the ruffle reversible and pretty from both sides. Experiment and see what you like.
Comment by Linda — July 3, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
You may also want to try this on socks. Makes a great embelishment,
Comment by Joyce Carter — July 3, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
I have just read this article and it looks like
some thing i would try it is different ,I like things that are different, would like to know more
about it please. very interested.
Regards Grace
Comment by GRACE BRILEY — July 3, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
This sounds very interesting, I have huge boxes of crochet thread just perfect to try this new technique out. Thanks for sharing with us. Sue
Comment by Sue Foster — July 3, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
I am going to try this. Joanns has a bin full of the wooly nylon thread on clearance. Sounds like a fun thing to try.
Comment by Toni K. — July 3, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
I love this look…. I tried it and it is really so easy. I am always amazed at the ingenuity of you guys on this list. This is just lovely.
Sherry
Comment by Sherry Poole — July 3, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
What a great look. I can’t wait to try it.
Comment by Karen — July 3, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
I really like the idea but wish we had a closer picture of the edging
Comment by TKH — July 3, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
This is a fascinating technique - one I definitely want to try. I can’t quite ’see’ the third time around and ‘gathering’ the fabric. I’ll have to try this out to see it working.
I’m interested in using the crochet edging on baby wraps in fine cotton muslin as well as flannelette and fleece. It would have a useful application on doll clothes, too.
Comment by Alma — July 3, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Very neat Idea and I hope to try it, can you email me privately as I would like to see more of you work and also be able to ask more questions. thanks for a neat way to be unique.
SheilaofDc (shecow@yahoo.com)
Comment by SheilaofDC — July 3, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
I saw instructions of how to do this on sewing with Nancy. Your instructions seem simpler.
Thank you I need to try this
Comment by Katherine McGarry — July 3, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
I have to try this. I think it would make a great pillow sham as well.
Comment by vic — July 3, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Love the idea, I’ll have t try it soon!
Comment by Janice — July 3, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
I love this idea. When I first got my serger I wondered if you could use even a fine yarn in it. I never have been brave enough to experiment with it. I forget about the serger and don’t play with it much. I need to get it out again and try this, your picture is lovely. Do you have a closeup picture of the edge itself so I could almost see how the three rows build on each other?? Or… a video of a little bit??? This is so cool.
Comment by Jeannette Pirkle — July 3, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
I am amazed at your creativity - thanks for sharing - I’m not very creative but can benefit from thew generosity of creators.
Comment by Moira Barlow Sth Africa — July 4, 2009 @ 4:44 am
AMAZING, AMAZING AMAZING.
WHAT FUN!
Comment by Shelley — July 4, 2009 @ 5:09 am
Wonderful. I would like to try this very quickly but I am not sure to understand all your terms (I am french):
Is a “serger” a basic sewing machine ?
Can you explain the stitch you use ?
Do you work free motion or not ?
Can I have a photo detailed of your edge ?
I have a lot of thread which will be convenient for this.
Thanks a lot. marvictoire in South of France.
Comment by marvictoire — July 4, 2009 @ 7:09 am
This is an amazing idea. and your instructions sound very simple and easy to follow. could you post a close-up of the ruffle. Thanks!
Comment by Rita in IL — July 4, 2009 @ 7:43 am
What size crochet thread did you use?
Comment by Clarice — July 4, 2009 @ 7:52 am
Love this idea. A friend just gave me a HUGE box of serger thread she was no longer using. Now I know what I can put all that to use for. Thanks for the great idea.
Comment by Lynda — July 4, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Love it. Who would have thought.
Comment by JANICE — July 4, 2009 @ 9:32 am
I have an old serger nd really don’t use it much but I do use it at some times.. but I just enjoy it whenI do do it. I’m going to try this today after I get off the net. I love to read the articles that appear on this site I read them frist off and then look at the designs. I love this site. thanks so much for all the info. I love sharing and I think it is wonderful of all you(s) that do also. Charlette
Comment by Charette — July 4, 2009 @ 11:01 am
is a serger the same as a lockmachine?
Comment by jansje monninkhof — July 4, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Thank you for sharing this technique. I’d love to hear more interesting things that can be done with the new serger that I just purchased!
Comment by MystSinger — July 4, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
I think this is great but I would have to see it done before I could do it I can do any thing if I see it done but I can not follow instructions.
I am waiting for some one to show me how to digitize FSL orniments.
Comment by Lena Mae — July 4, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Well, I watch Sewing with Nancy and they did this, so I was waiting for something else…please give more visual instructions if possible. I love your site.
Comment by Acelia Gil — July 4, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
Great idea - will give it a try on something - Thanks
Comment by Karen — July 5, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
This is just regular serger stitches with a different thread. Think of it this way, if you are doing a straight seam, serge it once just with regular threads then serge the same seam, again only this time do not cut the edge when you are putting it through the serger so you are builing up the edge. Now the next time through be sure to not cut the edge either but this time you want to do the gathering effect by putting your finger behind the foot to hold up the stitches to allow them to build up. Only release them when there are too many to hold and repeat the process. try this with regular serger thread and you will see what I am talking about.
Comment by jodie marquis — July 5, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
I have a Serger, but I’m intimidated with it. Your job is magnificient, I hope that one day I will be able to make just one of this, that is if I dare to use my Serger. Who know I might be surprise you.
Comment by Nelly — July 7, 2009 @ 12:16 am
I’m on vacation and just read your article…………..can’t wait to get home and try this project…..love your ideas
Comment by helen — July 7, 2009 @ 11:53 am
What a fantastic and creative idea! As a non-crocheter, I would love to try this, but what would be “fine” crochet thread be? My serger does not cut, so should be perfect for this, right?
Comment by wissewer — July 9, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
I have a very nice serger. A elna 945. I hardly ever use it. Due to my embroidery sewing machine. This project really interests me. I saw something like this from Nancy’s notions. Someone made a scarf. I love this idea. you also make trim using a embroidery lace designs. i can’t wait to try this one.
Comment by sandra — July 9, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
This is great. Now I know what all those cones of thread that came with my serger are for. Wow! and just when I am starting to make baby blankets.
Thanks, I really learned so much!
Donna
Comment by Donna — July 28, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/KnittingCrochet/Threads/Size10/Aunt+Lydias+Bamboo+Crochet+Thread.htm
here is a link to some crochet thread that is made from bamboo and it is sooo soft that I love it. IF the link dows not come through you can just put it in and search for bamboo crochet thread and you will find several places that sell it. It is a few cents more but worth it.
Comment by jodie marquis — July 29, 2009 @ 11:38 am
I think this is wonderful, pretty and very clever. I love crochetting, embroidering and quilting, and this is a very good idea. Thanks!
Comment by Acelia — September 28, 2009 @ 1:15 pm