Baby Lock Triumph

Yes, it can be done with the Baby Lock Evolution or Ovation serger models. Here are the general directions to set up your serger model for achieving a blanket stitch.

SETTINGS FOR EVOLUTION OR OVATION SERGERS:
• Three thread flatlock stitch
• Needle thread: Wooly nylon, Monet or your choice of decorative thread.
• Upper Looper: serger thread
• Lower Looper: serger thread

Cut a narrow strip of Sulky water soluble stabilizer and place along edge of fabric and serge the stabilizer into the flatlock stitch. Pull the stabilizer to the edge of the fabric and tear away. This action pulls the stitching into the blanket stitch.

If your machine was already registered and you are now wanting to add a Love of Sewing, your Baby Lock retailer will have to register your Love of Sewing and attach it to your machine registration for you.

There are a number of reasons you would want to have a Baby Lock products registered:

• To register your machine, serger, Gold Standard or Love of Sewing for warranty purposes
• So an authorized Baby Lock dealer can check your registered product information when you take it in for service and will then be able to determine what is covered by the Baby Lock warranty
• There may be times Baby Lock may send you special offers and information based on Baby Lock products you registered
• For your future reference should you need it

1. Login to your Baby Lock Account
2. From the Dashboard, click the Register a New Machine
3. Enter the information, select Validate

We have great Bonus Sew at Home OnDemand (pre-recorded) classes that cover the basics on the Evolution and Ovation sergers, including threading the chain looper. The class titles are "Getting to Know Your Ovation Serger" and "Evolution – Getting to Know Your Serger". CLICK HERE for a link to the Sew at Home OnDemand website and order the FREE video class for your serger today! Note you will need to set-up an account on this website, even if you have a Baby Lock website profile, they are different.

Yes. There are a couple of ways to find the accessories available for your serger:

• From your serger model web page, then select the "Related Accessories" tab
• Our web site has an Accessory search page. Here is that web page address: https://www.babylock.com/accessories/

Yes. Make sure it is a soft pliable monofilament thread. Stitch at a slow to moderate consistent speed. Use a thread net on the spool of thread (as needed) and sponge disks at the bottom to prevent thread pooling.

The cover stitch creates a double or triple row of stitching and it can be done in narrow or wide widths with the triple cover stitch. It can also be used 'upside down' for a braid-like look. It can be used for functional or decorative purposes, such as:

• Hemming knits or topstitching seams that need stretch
• Applying elastic
• Pintucks (the use of the pintuck foot is very helpful)

Decorative edges are a great place to start. They can be created with an array of threads from fine to heavy weight. Here is your general serger set-up:

• Stitch: 3-Thread Wide Overlock (Left Needle)
• Length Setting: 2 1/2-3
• Width Setting: 7.5mm
• Differential Feed Setting: N
• Tension Guidelines: Balanced Stitch - If using a serger that requires tension adjustment, then start with loosening the upper looper tension setting (0-3) to maintain a balanced stitch. Suggestion, you may want to record the thread name and tensions for future reference.

Thread the upper looper with decorative thread. Thread the lower looper and needle with all-purpose cone thread. Stitch along the edge of the fabric. Check the stitch to make sure the tensions are set properly. If adjustment is needed, fine tune the tensions and test the stitch again.

 Threading both the upper and lower looper with a heavier decorative thread will create a reversible edge. Both looper tensions will need to be loosened to accommodate the thickness of the thread.

Experiment with different threads and have FUN! Ask your dealer if there is an Inspiration Guide available for your serger model, you will find it a wealth of infomation.

Sergers equipped with differential feed have two feed dogs, one in the front and one in the back. When the differential feed is set at N the front feed dog will feed the fabric at the same rate as the back feed dog.

 When the differential feed is set at a larger/higher number (1.3 to 2) the front feed dog will feed more fabric than the back . This is because the front feed dog moves a greater distance than the back feed dog. For example, when the differential feed is set at 2, the front feed dog will move twice as far as the back feed dog. In this case, the front feed dog is feeding in twice as much fabric as the back feed dog is feeding out. The result is that the fabric will be gathered. Differential feed settings from 1.3 to 2 are used for gathering and easing as well as compensating for stretch distortion of knitted fabrics or bias grainlines.

 When the differential feed is set at a smaller/lower number (0.6 to 0.8) the front feed dog moves less than the back feed dog. For example, when the differential feed is set at 0.8 the front feed dog will feed 20% less than the back feed dog. This is useful for eliminating puckering on woven fabrics and stretching knit fabrics for a lettuce leaf effect.

When sewing on polar fleece, you will need to adjust the stitch length to 3-3.5 and the stitch width to 7.5mm> Loosen the pressure on the presser foot according to the instructions in the instruction manual. Set the differential feed to the lowest setting. (0.7-0.6)

The serger should be cleaned after each project is completed. If you are working on a large project that creates a lot of lint build up, you may need to clean the machine a couple of times while working on the item. You can clean the serger yourself by using an air compressor, your vacuum cleaner, or your hair dryer set on cool. Problems that can occur if a machine is not cleaned on a regular basis are: inconsistent stitching, a noisy machine, and improper feeding. Avoid these problems by making sure to clean all thread guides and brush the lint off the knives and feed dog frequently using the brush that included in the accessory pack.

There are four ways of threading your Ovation, Evolution, Imagine, or Eclipse with decorative threads. Determining the method to use depends on the weight of thread that will be used:

• Tying On & pulling it through
• Tying On - Bypassing Threading Port
• Looper Threading Tool & pulling it through
• Creating a Thread Cradle & pulling it through

TYING ON
Threads that are lightweight and have a different texture can be too inconsistent to thread through the threading port.Threads such as: Woolly Nylon, fine rayon, fine metallic, lightweight clear nylon, can be tied on and pulled through the threading port.

 UPPER OR LOWER LOOPER THREAD

Begin with the serger threaded with regular thread. Raise the presser foot to release all tensions. Clip looper thread before the first thread guide. Replace the regular cone thread with a cone of Woolly Nylon and tie it to the end of the regular thread. Pull the upper looper thread until it is past the presser foot.

BYPASSING THREADING PORT:

Begin with the serger threaded with regular thread and machine in the unlocked position. Raise the presser foot to release all tensions. Just past the looper threading port, carefully pull a small amount of thread from the looper, and then clip. (When machine is unlocked the metal tubes retract and looper threads will be visible) Pull the left thread to create a 4" tail. Important Note - To ensure the thread will go through the eye of the looper,tie a slipknot. Place the decorative thread on the spindle and thread it into the guides before the entrance of the looper threading port. Tie the decorative thread onto the tail of regular thread. Pull the looper thread from the back of the presser foot to pull the decorative thread through the eye of the looper.

 LOOPER THREADING TOOL:
When working with decorative threads, the looper-threading tool is wonderful. It can be inserted all the way through the threading port and the looper. It is useful when the loopers are unthreaded.

 For fine decorative threads, have the machine in the locked position. Insert the straight end of the tool, into the threading port and guide through to the eye of the looper. The decorative thread can then be inserted in the loop of the tool and pulled through.

To bypass the threading port for heavy decorative threads, have the machine in the unlocked position. Insert the tool; loop end first, from the eye of the looper to the end of the looper tube, just before the threading port. Insert the decorative thread into the loop and pull the thread through the looper.

 CREATING A THREAD CRADLE:
Creating a thread cradle is an ideal alternative for feeding lightweight decorative threads through the threading port, when the eclipse is unthreaded and the looper threader has been misplaced.

 To create a thread cradle cut approximately 20" to 30" piece of thread and make a large loop. Take the two end pieces of the loop and insert about an inch into the threading port. Pump the Jet-Air lever or press the ExtraordinAir™ button to draw the ends of the thread through the eye of the looper. (Be sure to lightly hold the thread above the pump so that the thread is not pumped all the way through!) Lightweight decorative thread can then be inserted into the loop that is just above the looper threading port, and pulled through the looper. 

You can check the following things. Was the needle inserted properly? Is the needle bent or worn? Are the right and left needles threaded with the correct threads?, Was the fabric pushed or pulled through machine? Is good quality thread being used? If the problem persists take the machine to an authorized Baby Lock Dealer for service.

When sewing on polar fleece, you will need to adjust the stitch length 3-4. Set the stitch width at 7.5mm. Loosen the pressure on the foot according to the instruction book. Set the differential feed at the lowest setting 0.6 or 0.7. If serging a coat or top you will need to stabilize the shoulder seam. To do this, place tape into the tape sewing guide. Sew tape to shoulder seam to prevent stretching. Have fun constructing your project!

To create a spaghetti strap on a serger set it up to a narrow rolled hemstitch. Begin sewing a chain 5" to 10" longer than the length of the strap. Bring the chain around the left of the presser foot and to the front of the machine. Fold the fabric around the thread chain. Line up the fold with the left edge of the presser foot and sew. Be sure the thread chain stays within the fold. The cutting blades will trim away the excess fabric width. When the sewing is complete, pull the thread chain to turn the strap to the right side.

If you purchase a "New" Baby Lock product from an "Unauthorized Dealer" through the Internet, mail or in their store, you are no longer the original purchaser. The warranty only applies to the original purchaser when new. No "Authorized" Baby Lock retailer is allowed to sell by Internet or mail.

1. Check the manual for tension settings. Check the needle tension and the lower looper tension.

 2. When serging, have half of the loops on the fold of the fabric and half of the loops off the fold. When pulling fold open the stitching should lay flat on top of the fabric.

Check to see if your differential feed is on. If it is not supposed to be on set the differential at N.
Make sure the cutting blade is at the correct width setting.
Check upper and lower looper tension settings.
Make sure the machine is threaded properly and the threads are in the tension disks.

The only place to oil the serger is the upper looper arm where it is connected to the machine. Turn the handwheel by hand to notice where the looper moves back and forth.
Place a drop of oil at this point. Anything else the machine needs to be taken to your Baby Lock dealer for periodic maintenance.

You can use regular sewing machine thread. However, make sure you have enough thread to finish the project. Sergers use more thread than a sewing machine. You may also need to adjust the tension settings (if there are tensions) because sewing thread is heavier than serger cone thread. Also be sure to use spool caps when using a regular spool of thread.

Yes, it can be done with the Baby Lock Eclipse, Imagine, Enlighten, Evolution or Ovation serger models. Here are the general directions to set up your serger model for achieving a blanket stitch.

 Settings forBaby Lock Eclipse serger:

• Needle thread: Wooly nylon, Monet, or your choice of decorative thread.
• Needle tension: 0
• Upper Looper thread: serger thread
• Upper Looper tension: 9
• Lower Looper thread: serger Thread
• Lower Looper tension: 9
• Stitch Length: 3-4
• Stitch Width: 7.5
• Differential Feed:

Settings for Imagine, Enlighten, Evolution or Ovation Sergers:

• Three thread flatlock stitch
• Needle thread: Wooly nylon, Monet or your choice of decorative thread.
• Upper Looper: serger thread
• Lower Looper: serger thread

Cut a narrow strip of Sulky water soluble stabilizer and place along edge of fabric and serge the stabilizer into the flatlock stitch. Pull the stabilizer to the edge of the fabric and tear away. This action pulls the stitching into the blanket stitch.

Cut strips of fabric the length and width desired. Using a 3 thread rolled hem on your serger, serge the wire to the fabric edge.

 The type of wire to use is Bridal Wire that is wrapped with white fabric. This is often found in the bridal section of craft stores or fabric stores. The fabric covering the wire gives a better appearance of coverage with the serger stitching. Be careful to keep the wire away from the cuffing blade.

• Stitch: 3 thread rolled hem
• Suggested Foot: Regular foot (depending on the model); Curving Foot Curve Foot (BLE8-CVF); (Beading Foot (BLE8-BF or BLE-BF); check your manual Inspiration Guide and with your dealer for what might fit or work best for your model

Yes, use a size 14 top stitch needle to accommodate the heavy thread. You must serge slowly. This is not a fast technique.

We can only guarantee parts availability for 10 years from the last manufacture date so depends on the model, if it is still being manufactured and/or when it was last manufactured. As for manuals, only the most recent models are available in downloadable PDF format; while older model manuals may be available to purchase as black & white copies.

Probably nothing. After you rethread a broken lower looper thread, make sure the needle thread is on top of the thread plate before you start to serge again. NOTE: this does not apply to Baby Lock sergers with Jet-Air™ or ExtraordinAir™ threading because the threading order does not make a difference on these models.

Here's some ideas:

• Monofilament, it is a very fine, strong, yet transparent thread that will not interfere with the decorative quality of your looper threads; choose the clear or smoke colored, depending on the shade of your fabric.
• A thread color that matches/coordinates with the decorative thread so it just blends into the stitch
• A thread color that matches/coordinates with the fabric color so the decorative threaad stands out

Whenever you are having a problem getting an acceptable stitch with your serger, here are some troubleshooting tips for you:

 1. Change you needles. You should change your needles after every project or 10-12 hours of serging.
2. Check all threading guides or thread path to make sure the threads haven't slipped loose anywhere or twisted.
3. Check to make sure all your tensions are set correctly and that the threads are all seated in the tensions themselves. Make sure they are free from lint and excess thread.
4. Check to make sure you have the proper needle plate on your machine, or that the stitch finger is in the proper position for the stitch you are creating.
5. Choose an appropriate stitch length and width for the type of stitch you are creating as well as for the fabric you are working with. Check your manual for suggested settings.

Yes. Since these sergers use regular sewing machine needles, you can use a larger needle such as #14 to accommodate the heavier thread.

Yes, use the narrow or wide cover stitch. With the needle side showing, it looks like 2 rows of top-stitching; with the looper thread showing on top in a nice accent to a garment.

Wooly nylon is the best thread to use because of it's stretchable quality. A 4-thread overlock is best for most of your construction. You also may need to adjust the differiential feed in some areas. If you are hemming, then a 3 or 4-thread cover stitch looks very nice and is available on Baby Lock 8-threads serger models or the separate Cover Stitch model.

For best results, here are some suggestions:

• Use the sponge disks under the Pearl Crown Rayon, Decor 6, Glamour spool, on the spool pin
• Set your stitch length at 3-4 for best results
• Stitch at a slow to moderate, consistent speed

When using cover stitches it is best to sew at a moderate, even speed. That will give you a more consistent stitch quality because your fabric will be fed more evenly. This is especially true when using the combination stitches.