So here I am ready to share an important moment: Threading the Serger (Necchi 181 specifically!)

I will go step by step, to help those who are in the same situation of mine, a few days ago: The Serger comes but you do not know where to start to thread it!!!

TIPS

First of all, it must be emphasized that We Must Respect Threading Order , which is basically the same but could vary from machine to machine. In my serger, the order is: upper looper, lower looper, needles. It ‘s always better to consult the manual that came with your serger/overlocker before proceeding!

It’s also recommended (but not strictly necessary) to thread the serger with thread tensions to zero, to allow the wire to rest perfectly in the thread tension control slots, so the tension will be applied in a correct way.

Obviously necessary to open the “belly” of the serger, exposing the insides to thread the machine.

You must remember to pick up the thread guide pole in the back of the machine, which guides the threads from the bobins (or you’ll end with a broken thread, as I often do!)

This is not good … the thread guide pole is low!

Yes, it’s okay! The thread guide pole is fully up

That said, let’s begin!

STEP 1, the upper looper (blue)

You have to feed the thread up through the loop of the thread guide, from back to front

Through the thread guide pole, from back to front

Then you feed the thread under the thread guide, keeping it taut and bringing it close from right to left, so that it is positioned under the thread guide, flowing freely:

Pull it to the left …

Okay … here it is!

We are now threading the tension slot, holding the thread with your left hand so that he isn’t free to unravel the spool and is firmly seating inside the slot

Following the instructions drawn on the label inside the belly, you must pass the thread through the blue guides provided, as follows:

We can ignore the “elephant” passage, marked with a blue dot:

the thread will go in the right position by itself, when we’ll start to sew…

We are now ready to thread through the eye of the looper, after lifting the foot in order to loosen tensions.

Important: leave at least 10 cm of thread tail, bringing it towards the rear of the machine and then under the foot, to the left.

Now lower the foot.

STEP 2, the upper looper (purple)

Follow the instructions as for the lower looper, then go feeding the upper looper guides, as well as drawn inside the machine (purple)



We are now ready to thread through the eye of the looper, after lifting the foot in order to loosen tensions: move the right knob in order to have the lower looper above the upper looper (and if you’re now confused: you’re right!!!)

the lower looper above the upper looper!



Important: leave at least 10 cm of thread tail, bringing it towards the rear of the machine and then under the foot, to the left.

Now lower the foot.

STEP 3, the needles (yellow & green)

Move the right knob now, in order to better expose the needle eyes (they have to reach the higher position).

Here too we can thread through the thread guide and tensions slots, then let them pass together through the thread guides above the needles, like this:



Then thread (keeping the right thread into the right needle and vice versa) the two needles and bring the two tails (as usual at least 10 cm) towards the back of the serger, and then under the foot, to the left, together with the tails coming from the loopers.

here the threads are still outside the yarn guides!





Pull the two thread behind the respective yarn guides at the top, above the needles

Ok, like this!

Now we are ready to sew! We arrange the tensions (typically you can start on 4 on each thread tension controller, and then make adjustments according to the fabric, the type of stitch and the results you want to achieve).

Let’s turn the right knob slowly by hand to make sure no mistakes were made and ensure that the stitches are created without hitches.



We can now start gently pressing the foot control, and then insert the fabric to start sewing! At this point, if the thread does not break, we can go! Otherwise … let’s try again re-threading, starting from step 1!





And … LAST BUT NOT LEAST … a good cup of coffee and sit gazing at your hard work!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, please consider reading: