Does A Serger Need To Use 4 Same Color Threads
The serger newbies quickly acknowledge that only the thread color in the outer part of the needle is the one that shows when the seam is opened. The remaining thread colors will often never be seen. Think of creating a pillowcase, and the thread colors you will use for the 4-thread overlock construction seam will be hardly shown.
So, the main point here is that a serger does not need to use four same color threads as the more creative it is, the better. It is based on preference, whatever the mind says, whatever looks prettier!
Does A Serger Need To Use 4 Same Color Threads?
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No. There is no need to use the four same color threads as you can go with the multiple thread colors or contrast type.
The threads are designed to be used in multiples of two or more spools because they have dual duties: constructing a seam while finishing the raw edge of the fabric.
Serger thread is finer than standard sewing machine thread to avoid the bunching and pulling that cause bulky seams.
Using multiple spools of thread ensures the end seam, hem, or finish will be flexible, durable, and strong. So, yeah!
How to Choose Serger Thread
Polyester is the most widely used type of thread used in serger machines due to its strength, durability, and flexibility. However, some projects might call for a different type of thread, such as nylon, cotton, wooly nylon, or other thread types. It’s easy to become intimidated by the amount of thread used in serging, but the results are more than worth the effort and cost.
But, if you were making something that the seams were going to reveal or the item would be judged as per the 4H competition. You should take some time to blend all the serger threads with the project fabric. See the tips below to know how to choose the perfect serger thread for your needlework.
Tips For Choosing The Perfect Serger Thread
Choosing the right serger thread for a project is as important as choosing the right serger for yourself. It’s essential to buy the best quality thread you can afford. The low tensile strength of cheaper threads allows lint and fuzz to build up faster. Serger thread is sold on large spools holding between 2,000 to 3,000 yards of thread because so much is used during the serging process.
Serger Thread Tip 1
The most basic serger thread palette every serger owner needs is the 4 White Spools, 4 Neutral Colors including grays or creams or mix-match combinations of each, 4 Darks or four blacks or one navy, one black, one charcoal gray, and one chocolate brown.
These primary colors will cover you through most of your serger projects. In addition, having a set of all-white threads will ensure that there is no shadowing through when you sew on the white fabric. Besides, having a set of four neutral colors is like being a quilter as they use gray or cream color threads to sew on about every color of the rainbow.
Having four dark serger threads will cover just about everything else. Your sewing thread should be darker than your fabric. The darker thread will blend in with your fabric more easily versus lighter colors that will stick out. You should always go with the darker thread when given the option, and some colors will go better together than others.
Serger Thread Tip 2
Serger loopers are the thread hogs, and you can use the two fullest serger spools in the lower and the upper loop positions. You can save spools that are empty for your needle positions.
Serger Thread Tip 3
If you have two spools of serger thread but desire to serge the 4-thread overlock stitch, use the serger thread over two bobbins. Place the entire bobbins in the left and right needle positions and place the two spools of serger thread in both the lower and the upper looper positions.
Serger Thread Tip 4
While you Serge on unique fabric color, you should not desire to own the four spools of serger thread. Rather than, reach for a regular sewing thread size of the spool, and put the matching spool on the outer part of the needle. The outer side of the needle position is the one that requires it to blend with the fabric.
Serger Thread Tip 5
Quality and durable serger threads make a difference with their existence. So, it is entirely perfect for paying a little more for durable and quality serger thread. But, give the serger a chance to do its best work for you by feeding it the required quality thread.
Well, you need not spend a fortune on serger thread, to begin with. With some primary understanding of how a serger works, you will observe that the thread color is not as difficult as most serger owners think. So, it would be best if you simplify the thread purchases following serger thread tips.
What If You Use Cover Stitch Threads
You should think about the side you desire to be exposed to on your garment’s right side for your cover stitch threads. Showing the looper thread on the right side provides a ready-to-wear look on the athletic garment seams or even a fun hem on a shirt. Alternatively, the two/three needle threads offer a less noticeable or cleaner look to the finish and hems and mimic RTW necklines.
If you want the looper thread to be exposed, you can go with contrasting and coordinating colors. You will only require one spool of the looper color to attain the look. The three-needle threads would be on the inner side of the garment/fabric.
What Are The Go-To Serger Thread Colors
So, what colors should you begin your work with, and how many colors should you buy?
Always have four spools of White, Steel, Black, and Dark Turquoise. In most other colors, you should have 1-3 depending on how much you think you will use it or your plan to use it for. You can purchase one spool of the Brass color for the vest, for example, because it would be the color you used in the cover stitch looper. So I think you should start with a basic neutral supply of white, black, and gray and then look at the colors you use the most. Choose some coordinating and contrasting colors, and build your thread collection gradually.
Remember, there are always no rules in creativity. You need to decide what you desire to use and how you desire to use it. What you plan may be exclusive from what someone else does, which is the beauty of your creativity. So embrace your preferences and favorite colors for blending, contrasting, and coordinating threads. It can be something you can repeat in all your fabric outfits, or it can be something you can switch up with depending on the outfit you wore or your mood.
Relationship Between Serger Thread And Garment/Fabric
For your serger or any other sewing projects, only your left needle thread attains the potential to be seen on the accurate side of your fabric or garment. If your fabric or garment comprises a lot of negative ease, the thread color should blend with the garment’s primary color. On the other hand, if your fabric is not super snug, you can get away with the color in your left needle that does not blend perfectly because your garment’s fabric would not be pulling at the seams. Now, you do not want black looper threads showing through your white t-shirt, so some thought is warranted here.
I think a dark gray goes perfectly with most of the colors. You can order Maxilock Steel more frequently than any other color as it hides well in the dark and medium colors and black as well. Meanwhile, a light gray blends easily with light/bright colors.
White and Black colors are useful, primarily if you are planning to sew garments in both colors. If you are sewing any of the black outfits using a serger, you can avoid using black thread in that left needle and dark gray in the right one, and both loopers. You might have seen some people recommending using only navy or dark gray in the needles when the black fabric is used. So you can see the needle threads you need to seam rip. I think this is great advice, but it is not something you should often do.
If you are sewing a white outfit, it will depend on the fabric’s opacity and thickness, and you will probably require four white spools, but you can choose light gray/silver for the right needle and white for your left needle and both loopers. You can also use ming green, Light Pink, and Light Gray blended with a cream-colored DBP. And, you can check out the colors through the fabric. If you are unsure, it is always recommended to test on a scrap piece of the fabric you are using after cutting out your pattern.
Other colors that blend perfectly are Turquoise, Roseate, beige Taupe, Orchid, and Medium Navy. Of course, you would love to place all these colors in the loopers, but they also work well for topstitching as they coordinate with various colors.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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