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Possibly the latest invention for the home sewer has been the most exciting. Sergers or overlook machines are a new generation of home sewing machines which are changing the whole concept of home sewing. Copied from industrial sewing machines, they give you the capability of becoming a custom dressmaker, creating more professional garments and home decorating and craft items with less effort and time invested. You will hear two, three and four threader used to describe the various models. All sergers use a needle to stitch a seam and loopers to overcast the seam allowance. A two threader has one needle and one upper looper. A three threader has one needle and an upper and lower looper. A four Pins and needles have been with us for a long time. Here are some facts ‘ bout these mainstays of the sewing ox you may be interested in. Pins are not as common as they sed to be There is a wide selection 0 choose from and your choice will e based on length. size and metal ontent. The most familiar types are all-point. silk, dressmaker's and uilter’s pins. Ballâ€"point pins have a Silk pins are finer. Look for brass ilk pins. Thme won‘t rust and mark our finer silk and silkâ€"like fabrics. ressmalrer pins are considered a eneral purpose pin and they are ade of a wider wire than silk pins. uilter’s pins have a finer or narrower aft and are longer than dressâ€" aker’s pins. These work well when sing bulkier fabrics too. Look for pins with glass or plastic ads. You won’t jab your finger ~ing notions threader gives you the opportunity to sew with two needles to give you an extra security stitch as well as the upper and lower loopers. A knife beside the throat plate trims off any excess fabric before it is overcast and you have a beautiful cleanlinish 1/4 inch seam allowance. Use a variety of thread colors and thread weights to create a truly decorative finish. You can make lapped seams. flatâ€"locking seams, decorative edge stitching, rolled herns. ruffles, trims, belt loops and many more wonderful looks. Take a look at the variety of patterns that the major companies have designed for you to receive real pleasure from your serger. Better yet. visit your neighborhood sewing center and ask for a demon- the floor. lfyour pin develops a burr or snags your fabric. throw it away, don't put it back with your good pins. The proper choice of needles is just as important. Use finer (7â€"9) needles for fine fabrim such as light polyesters. lingerie fabric and silks; medium (11-14) for firmer fabrics such as suiting, corduroy and heavy cottons; and a denim needle (16) for heavy denims and jeans. Remember to use a new needle for each new sewing project. Universal needles are good for both knits and Wovens because they have a modified ball-point end. You may stration. Sales of scrgers have leaped in the past two years and expectations are that thc sergcr \vtll represent I.“ per cent of the total sewing machine market in the next year or two, Sport swear, lingerie and swimsuns can be made in half the time. Your sewing machine was designed to do more than mend. Be creams and have fun, Look for these and other sewng aids today. Jean is a member (if the :lltrlrl/Hsru' County Women for the .S'uppnrt 0} Agriculture and chairman a] m edu- cation committee. She tear/rm and trunk; puriâ€"ttmefur Stretch mm‘ Sew Fabrics in London. 'I lore In wu- um] Ienyoy sliarrrtg HHS fit/tlrlnafltttl u it}; others. " She says. Some points on pins and needles! find that a ball-point needle works best though on the finer knit fabrics like lingerie and swim wear fabric which are very slippery. A ball-point needle will eliminate skip stitches and puckerirtg in your seams. I like to use my double necdics for creating a decorative finish or for hemmng knits. They come in a variety ofwidths from 1.5mm to 4mm. When sewing with a douhtc needle, you get a zigzag effect on the underside which gives you a neat hem finish on knits. Try using two different colors for a really creative look or use your double needle to make pin tucks on a blouse or dress. There are also topstitching needles which have a larger hole to accom- modate the thicker topstitching thread; leather needles which have tiny knives 0n the edges to make penetrating real leather and suede easier; winged needles have sides that are a little wider so that the needle cuts the fabrics as it passes through leaving a small opening. The winged needle is great for decorative effects on collars, cuffs or placemats and tablecloths. H & C April, May. June 1987 21