Many people who love to sew will never experience the fun, convenience and professional-looking results of using a serger because the hardest part of serging actually occurs before you ever make a stitch. It is the challenge of changing the thread color of the machine. Here's how I solved that issue. My method only works if the serger, also known as an "overlock" machine, is already threaded, so be sure to ask your vendor to thread your machine when you purchase it. If it is not currently threaded, take it to a sewing machine repair shop or the sewing machine department of your local fabric store and ask them to thread it. There should be no charge.

Problem is; from then on, you're on your own. The big challenge arises when you need to change the thread color. Because the task can be so frustrating, many people simply leave the machine threaded with a basic color such as white.

Here's a simple method I learned many years ago that you may find as invaluable as I have. With a little practice, you'll be able to change the threads in 3 minutes or less. The secret is; you change them all at the same time!

Let's change the threads from white to black;

 BEFORE                    AFTER

Step 1 - Cut each cone thread close to the top of the cone. Remove cone from base. Leave thread hanging down towards cone holder.

 SNIP CLOSE TO CONE

Step 2 - Set "new" color cone down on base. Tie the ends of the "old" color and the new color into a knot.

 KNOT THREADS TOGETHER

Step 3 - Using your long-nosed tweezers pull thread out of the tension wheel while holding on to thread at the top of the machine. Allow the pulled thread to rest on the top of the tension wheel.  If your serger is the modern type with tension knobs instead of wheels, leave the thread in the groove and turn the knob to the most loose position so the thread will pass through easily.

 PULL OUT AND LAY ON TOP    

Now comes the tricky part.

Step 4 - Turn the hand wheel until the needle is at its highest position. Open the front door of the machine so you can watch the threads as they move through the machine. Then, making sure the presser foot is lifted, grab all the threads on the sewing platform (coming out behind the needle) and pull towards the back of the machine GENTLY and SLOWLY. You will see the old color passing out and the new color coming in through all the complicated loops, hoops, hooks and tubes.

 KNOTS PASSING OVER TENSION WHEELS

  KNOTS PASSING THROUGH LOOPS

Step 5 - When you feel resistance, STOP! The knots will pass smoothly through everything except the eye of the needle. Drop that thread and continue pulling all the others until the new color has passed all the way through and is coming out past the needle across the platform.

 PULL THREADS STRAIGHT BACK AWAY FROM YOU

Step 6 - Cut the needle thread just above the knot. Pull the old thread out. Use your needle-nosed tweezers again to thread the needle with the new color.

 SNIP ABOVE THE KNOT AT NEEDLE EYE

Step 7 - Insert the threads laying on the tension wheels back into the wheels. Close the machine door.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE DONE!  You've changed the serger thread without the headache of trying to decipher the user manual's confusing instructions and diagrams.

Here's part of a thread changing page from the Singer User's Manual (keep aspirin handy when using);

Happy Serging!

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