I have a Singer 14SH654 Finishing Touch serger and don’t use it very often because I can’t seem to get the tension right. Last night, I started from scratch – cleaned the machine, replace the needles and rethreaded it. I used the suggested tensions in the manual and still can’t get it right. any suggestions?

Oct 21, 2009, 04.15 PM by dorawarren

9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_large

8 Posts

  • 1_large

    Oct 21, 2009, 05.21 PMby leeshv

    I have heard that sometimes sergers are set wrong internally at the factory. Maybe this is the problem…what exactly does the stitching look like. I just looked at mine, and my needle tensions are about 4, and my looper tensions are set to 5. I sometimes change this depending on the fabric. I just play around with the dials on a scrap piece of fabric. This seems to be working for me. Maybe you could take it back to where you bought it and ask them?

    1 Reply
    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 22, 2009, 01.22 PMby dorawarren

      I have the serger set to use 4 threads and the top row of straight stitiches is fine, but the bottom is loose and the loops that are supposed to be on the back, creep over to the from. I have had the loopers at 4 or more and it still not right. i bought the serger at least 5 years ago, so I can’t take it back. Maybe I will have to find a singer store

  • 6e3656aa7036783b3e4bbc29f34d1029385afafe_large

    Oct 21, 2009, 07.23 PMby wzrdreams

    I just got my serger a month ago, but I’ve tried several types of fabric on it and I’ve had to adjust the dials for every fabric. When I go back to a medium weight cotton plain weave the dials are all about a 4.

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Oct 21, 2009, 10.16 PMby katexxxxxx

    Did you clean between the tension disks?

    1 Reply
    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 22, 2009, 01.20 PMby dorawarren

      I did not maybe I will try that too.

  • Morticia_large

    Oct 21, 2009, 11.37 PMby ana555

    i have a singer tiny serger or whatever it is called and i have the same issue. the stitching is dead on just not as tight as i would like. so i just started doing a straight stitch or what ever i need and then serge the edge. i think that it is called the safety stitch? mine is a 3 spool so maybe that is why?

  • Missing

    Oct 22, 2009, 01.54 AMby ariesmisstress

    the tension will vary between diff fabrics, some times your needle one might be set on four but your loopers may be on 5 or higher. Look in your manual there should be a trouble shooting page

    1 Reply
    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 22, 2009, 01.24 PMby dorawarren

      i have used the manual for troubleshooting but to no avail. there are 10,000 possible combinations for the tension and it is unlikely that i will go through them all

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Oct 22, 2009, 07.48 PMby katexxxxxx

    No, it’s VERY likely that you will go through them all and then discover a whole new set! ;)

    Some machines are fussier than others, but…

    First, whatever the manual says, match the needle type to the fabric type, as you would with a standard machine, so for stretch fabrics use stretch needles, for denim use Jeans needles (use them for curtain fabrics too), and for medium weight fabrics use a size 80 Universal. Vary needle size with fabric weight, using smaller needle for chiffon than you would for denim…

    For the fabric type and stitch type you choose, with the correct needles in the machine, and your chosen thread type, START with the settings in the manual, but be aware that these are only ever a guide. Do some test seams. adjusting needle and thread tension, differential, cutting width, presser foot pressure, whatever… until you get a perfect seam. Nail a bit of the perfect seam to a card with the fabric type and composition, needle and thread type, and machine settings. Save this as a guide for the next time you work with a similar fabric.

    Also be aware that with some stretch fabrics in particular, you will need different settings for seams that go across the fabric from those needed to go down the length of the fabric… Just to be ornery! ;)

    1 Reply
    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 22, 2009, 08.05 PMby dorawarren

      you know – i did those things bought new needles etc – and after several tries it still is not what i want it to be. i was using a light cotton to test and using the guides in the book and tweaking them a bit – i still wasn’t about to get it right. it is quite frustrating.

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Oct 22, 2009, 08.34 PMby katexxxxxx

    Thread up with 4 different coloured threads to match your thread paths, and try on a nice firm plain calico of medium weight. See exactly which threads are causing what problems.

    2 Replies
    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 22, 2009, 09.09 PMby dorawarren

      I will try that along with cleaning the tension disks. Thanks for your help

    • 9d5b03eca27a1f0f3000923e814c11ba35cf377a_thumb

      Oct 26, 2009, 08.14 PMby dorawarren

      I changed the threads and while looking at the machine to find a way to clean the tension disks – I noticed that the actual dial (2 parts) for one of the threads had partially come apart. Once I clicked the two pieces back together – the tension was fixed. Go figure

  • Missing

    Oct 27, 2009, 02.26 AMby sydneygirl-1

    Also, sometimes the thread/cotton is just wrong, especially if too old or coming from an unknown source. I am doing a lot of serging for school dance projects, it is worthwile to get to know your serger.

Add a New Topic

Help

Discussion Categories

Recent Posts

Featured

Burdastyle

http://burdastyle.com//discussions/someone-help-me/topics/serger-tension