How To Disengage Serger Knife

December 10, 2023December 13, 2023 Jessica 0 Comments Disengage, Knife, Serger

It is the first and foremost choice of sewers to use a serger machine for cleaning the edges of a seam. You can also use the serger to secure the edges of the fabric. However, any problem with the adjustments of your serger machine or its parts can be infuriating.

The knives or cutting blades of the serger machine are essential parts to trim the fabric. If you’re using upper and lower serger knives for your fabric, you must know to remove them. You must have the proper knowledge about how to install and disengage the serger knife for an efficient and smooth sewing experience.

If you want to learn how to disengage the serger knife, you have to come to the right place. In this article, you will learn how to disengage them with necessary precautions and proper equipment. In addition, you will understand the removal procedure with a step-by-step approach for avoiding any inconvenience while implementing them. So, let’s dive into this article and explore more.

How To Disengage Serger Knife?

Contents

How To Disengage Serger Knife?
How Can You Sharpen Your Serger Knives?
Can You Use A Serger To Sew Without Cutting?

If you’re using a serger machine for sewing purposes, you must know how to adjust them. Proper knowledge about the adjustments in your device will help you to use it efficiently and effectively. So, one such thing you must learn in this article is disengaging the serger knife.

However, the model of your serger machine will decide the design of mounting the top blade. But, you have to make simple adjustments with the loosening of the screws and pulling out the knives. In addition, it is vital to take safety measures by unplugging the machine from any power source before disengaging.

Disengaging the knife has its own benefits. For instance, you will be able to serge away from the fabric edges, topstitch and use many other decorative stitches. In addition, you can apply elastic to your fabric by the removal of the upper serger knife.

The lower serger knife has a screw with a special washer that attaches it to the machine. Whatever may be the way, you will definitely need a big flat screwdriver for the removal procedure.

So, let’s further check these disengaging procedures of the serger knife in-depth.

You can follow some easy and effective steps to disengage your serger knife easily and efficiently from the machine. So, check them out.

Step 1: Taking The Precautionary Measures

If you’re working on an electric-run serger machine, you must take precautions for your safety.

For instance, you have to start with unplugging the machine from any power source to avoid electric shock.

Moreover, you have to ensure that there’s no water around the machine while working on them.

If you’re unconfident, you can wear a plastic glove for removing the serger blades. If you’ve never worked with any adjustments on your sewing machine, you must follow these measures.

Step 2: Knowing The Serger Knives Or Blades

You must know that there are two serger knives that act like scissors for trimming the edges of your fabric.

If you check in front of the needles, you will notice an upside-down hook, which is the upper serger knife.

However, if you look beneath the needle plate of your serger, you will find the lower knife. In addition, the lower knife usually stays in a stationary position.

Now, if you want to perform decorative stitches on your fabric, you can disengage the upper serger knife.

In contrast, if you want to replace the blades for wear and tear, you will need to disengage both blades.

Step 3: Determining The Time To Adjust Or Remove The Serger Knife

In this step, you will have to learn the time when to disengage your serger blades or knives. Depending on the frequency of your serger usage and the type of fabric you work on, you can decide the time for the knife removal.

If you’re using a metal-made serger knife for cutting heavyweight fabrics, you will have to disengage them for replacement. These metal blades will become dull and corrosive. So, changing the blades by removing them will become essential.

However, if you work on lightweight fabric for cutting or trimming by your serger blades, you’re in luck. Then, you won’t have to change or disengage the blades for a long time.

For instance, if you use a serger knife for more than an hour each day, it will wear out. Then, you have to disengage and replace them in two or three months. It is crucial to use a sharp knife on your serger for fine fabric trimming results.

So, you have to disengage the serger knife either to sharp or replace them once every two to three months.

Step 4: Consulting The Manual If Necessary

You may already know that every sewing or serger machine comes with a user manual for the sewers. You can take the help of this manual for your machine maintenance and necessary adjustments.

Similarly, if you want the best results for your serger knife removal, you can consult the manual. The instructions on the manual guide along with this article will help you to efficiently disengage the knives.

You can check out the manual for your machine-specific recommendations and tips to know the positioning of your blades. Then, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Gathering The Equipment

Now, you have to look up all the equipment that you will need to disengage the knives.

With the proper equipment ready by your hand, you can easily disengage your serger knives.

For instance, you will need a large flat screwdriver for the screw and knobs.

In addition, you can also keep lubricant oil for any wear and tear or rusted part of the blade or screw.

Step 6: Removing The Scrap Catcher

In this step, you will proceed with the removal of your serger knives.

Firstly, you have to find the minor scrap catcher on your serger machine.

Then, you can use your bare hands to remove it out of your way.

However, you must not use firm pressure to remove it, as it may break.

You have to keep it aside for re-assembling after the removal of knives.

Step 7: Opening The Thread Door

Now, you have to see the door of your serger where you thread. You can find it on the bottom front right of your serger machine.

Then, open it to find the knob and proceed with the further steps. You can open the thread using your hands.

However, some models of serger may have screws on this thread door. In such a case, you can use your screwdriver to open it.

Step 8: Finding The Knife Knob

So, if you swing open the door on the left of the serger machine, you will notice two knobs.

These knobs are always placed underneath the thread door.

The knob which you will see at the front is used to change the setting of regular stitch to rolled stitch.

However, the other knob at the bottom is used to disengage the knife.

Step 9: Turning The Knob Clockwise

Now, you have to simply push this knife knob towards the serger blade.

However, if you find any resistance while pushing the knob, you can use a few drops of lubricant oil on it.

Apply gentle pressure and push the knob until you can turn it clockwise. Finally, swing the knob down and remove the blade easily.

How Can You Sharpen Your Serger Knives?

With the correct timing and accuracy, you can sharpen your serger blades or knives on your own. If you sharpen your serger knives, it will increase its precision in cutting the fabric. This will help you to avoid any ripping of the material while using the serger.

One of your blades can be made of hardened steel and others not. The hardened one with a darker edge will last for a long time and won’t need any sharpening. However, the other one will need sharpening for precision. So, ensure to choose the right blade before sharpening them.

You will find scratches, nicks, uneven shape and dullness on your knives. If both the blades are in the same condition, you can choose to sharpen both of them or simply replace them with a new one.

For sharpening, you can use sandpaper to take out the rust and corrosion. Then, rub the edges of the blades on an even rock or metal for a long time until you see thin fine edges.

Can You Use A Serger To Sew Without Cutting?

Yes, you can use a serger to sew without cutting as long as you use it along the edges. If you want to work on the elastics for your fabric, you can use a serger. This will reduce or minimize your chances of shaving even a slight edge of the fabric or elastic.

Moreover, sergers play the crucial role of trimming fabric, so not allowing them to trim can end up in poor results. So, try to keep a bit of whisker on your fabric to cut while using a serger for fast, efficient and clean results.

Author
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Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress.

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.