By following the step-by-step instructions within the pages of this book, you’ll be amazed by how simple it is to use your serger. Using a serger allows you to create professional-looking projects quickly and easily, leaving you more time to do what you really love—sewing even more projects with your serger!  Diana Cedolia has had projects published in serger books, and she teaches serger clubs. She is the co-owner of Simply Everything, which produces instructive embroidery software DVDs and patterns for quilting and embroidery machines. She lives in Dunedin, Florida. Learn Simple Serging By Diana Cedolia Annie's Copyright © 2014 Annie's All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-57367-471-3 Contents Licorice Mix Strip Quilt, Sweet Dreams Pillowcase, Ribbon Weave T-Shirt, Upscale T-Shirt, Wind & Water Throw Pillow, Take-a-Bow Tree Skirt, Fiesta Tiered Skirt, Tumbled Nine-Patch Throw Pillow, Stipple-Chic Clutch, Getting Started, Fabric & Supplies, CHAPTER 1 Licorice Mix Strip Quilt Small dark squares are used to add bite to this colorful composition. The patterned bands are cut from a fabric Jelly Roll, a coiled roll of precut strips. Serge the edges to keep the long strips straight and the seams secure. Finished Size Quilt Size: 35 x 53 inches Serger Stitches 4-thread overlock stitch 3-thread wide overlock stitch Chain stitch Materials • 1 package 2½-inch-wide precut strips (at least 40 strips) • 2 yards 44/45-inch-wide 100 percent solid cotton • 38 x 54-inch rectangle double-sided fusible batting • Basic sewing supplies and equipment Threads • 4 cones coordinating all-purpose serger thread • 1 spool 12 wt cotton thread • 1 spool 30 wt cotton thread Project Notes Refer to Getting Started on page 4 for thread choices, stitches and general serger information. Read through all instructions before beginning your project. Stitch right sides together unless otherwise noted. Be sure to test your stitches on a scrap of project fabric or similar fabric to ensure stitch perfection before beginning your project. Cutting From precut strips: • Remove all selvage edges. Cut each strip into 2 (2½ x 20-inch) strips. From solid cotton: • Cut 3 (2½-inch by fabric width) strips. Subcut 40 (2½-inch) squares. • Cut 2 (3-inch by fabric width) strips. Trim strips to 3 x 36-inch top and bottom borders. • Cut 2 (3-inch by fabric width) side border strips. Completing the Quilt Top Serger Stitch: Set serger for 4-thread overlock stitch with all-purpose serger thread in needles and loopers. 1. Serge a 2½-inch square to one end of each 2½ x 20-inch strip (Figure 1). Do not press seams. 2. Serge square/strip units end to end to make one long strip (Figure 2). 3. Trim 8 inches from one end of the long strip referring again to Figure 2. 4. Fold and cut long strip in half. Serge the resulting two strips together along long edges (Figure 3). Note: Make sure that the seams between the squares and strips all fold in the same direction while stitching. 5. Repeat step 4 until the serged rectangle measures approximately 30 inches or 15–16 strips long (Figure 4). Trim width to 48 inches. Press all seams in same direction. 6. Serge 3 x 54-inch border strips to opposite long sides of quilt top. Press seams toward strips and trim to match quilt side length. 7. Serge 3 x 36-inch border strips to opposite short sides of quilt top. Press seams toward strips and trim to match quilt side length. 8. Mark diagonal lines across quilt top approximately 8 inches apart in both directions referring to Figure 5. Completing the Quilt 1. Create a quilt sandwich by layering the quilt back, wrong side up, batting and quilt top, right side up. Fuse layers together following batting manufacturer's instructions. Trim layers even with quilt top. Serger Stitch: Set serger for chain stitch with 30 wt cotton thread in needle and all-purpose serger thread in looper. 2. Begin serging on a fabric scrap and then onto the quilt top centering the chain stitch on a marked quilting line to quilt the layers together. 3. Serge along line and off quilt onto a fabric scrap. Cut fabric scraps away from ends of chain stitching. Apply seam sealant to both ends of seam. 4. Serge along each quilting line separately. Roll up the quilt as needed to fit into the serger throat area to stitch all quilting lines. Serger Stitch: Set serger for 3-thread wide overlock stitch with 12 wt cotton thread in upper looper. Use left needle only. Thread all-purpose serger thread in left needle and lower looper. Refer to manual to set a wide stitch width and shorten stich length to stitch a satin-stitch–looking stitch. 5. Serge the opposite long sides first, serging off the ends. Then serge the top and bottom edges of the quilt, again serging off the ends. 6. Secure thread chains in seam allowances to complete. CHAPTER 2 Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Dreaming of airplanes, elephants or palm trees? Trade plain white for a lively print and dream i