BERNINA overlocker/serger L 460 / L 450: tips and tricks, fine-tuning

[@Paudeli1]

Wonderfull! Thank you so much...

[@dollygauthier1714]

I am trying to sew on spandex-- My seams have popped!! obviously I feel I don't know what I'm doing wrong. This is for dance costumes. please-- advice needed! And another question- where seems have popped should i use my Benina 350 pe to just repair with a stretch stitch or go over the serging again? I have the 450 L

[@BerninaInternational]

Dear Dolly, thanks for asking. In general, we expect a serger stitch to be more stretchy than a stretch stitch on the sewing machine. That's the most important reason - together with cutting the edge - to use an overlocker/serger. If we understand correctly, the seam breaks when you stretch it. Here are our recommendations for sewing spandex for dance costumers, gym wear or swimwear: - Use the 4-thread overlock or 3-thread superstretch stitch. - Use a shorter stitch length - make a sewing test with SL 2.5 versus SL 2 or 1.8 and you will notice the difference. - If you have a fine wooly nylon thread that fits into the needle, try that too, for more elasticity. - Do not tighten the needle threads too much - the threads must interlock freely to allow the stretch. Actually, just recently there was an article on the BERNINA blog covering similar content (on the coverstitch use - but the same applies to overlock stitches). For the article, please go to: blog.bernina.com/en/2021/12/coverstitching-bernina-2/ We hope this helps!

[@kathyvetter8521]

the fabric I am trimming off while serging will curl around and goes inside the machine or up around the needle instead of depositing into the trash bin...any way to prevent this?

[@BerninaInternational]

It always works best if you can trim off 1/4" fabric or more (rather than skimming the edge) when trimming the edge. I have also found that with different textiles that have this tendency, some minor cutting width adjustments can remedy this. I always try to watch for it when I start to make sure that the cut off edge is flowing into the bin nicely, if not, I adjust. You might also check to make sure that you looper cover door is making a nice snug contact to the cutting knife.

[@kathyvetter8521]

@@BerninaInternational Since I posted my question I also tried putting just the smallest amount of tension on the fabric I was cutting as it was feeding through and that helped a little. I always serge my fabric prior to prewashing, I will adjust to make sure I am cutting off at least a 1/4". Thanks for your help!!

[@catherineferguson511]

I had a Bernina 2000 overlocker for over 20years it always gave me excellent service. Reciently it died. The replacement required to repair it is no longer available. As I belong to a group that make garments for charity.I have purchased a Bernina L460. However since I have been reading adverse reports about the new purchase. Are there any possitive reviews? There must be many who are satisfied. Please comment. Thank you.

[@BerninaInternational]

Dear Catherine, please don't worry too much about the things that are written in certain forums. Complaints are made very quickly in the Internet, but only rarely is praise expressed. The feedback on the L 460 we receive from customers and from our dealers is very positive. The results of our quality tests are also very good. Happy stitching with your L 460! And thanks for being such a loyal BERNINA fan.

[@kathyvanacoro5462]

I have had my Bernina 460 for about a year and Love it!

[@pamelapo100]

Trying this with cotton fabric for ties for face masks. Can not get the cotton to pull through. Any pointers?

[@BerninaInternational]

Hi Pamela, can you please let us know to which part of the process shown in the video above your question refers?

[@pamelapo100]

Easy to turn narrow tubes.

[@BerninaInternational]

@@pamelapo100 Hi Pamela, we would love to help. Unfortunately, we still don't understand the problem though. Can you please specifiy what you mean by letting us know what exactly your are trying to do and what doesn't work?

[@Mike--K]

The cotton fabric might not be slippery enough to fold back on itself and drag the overlocked seam with it, or the tube you are creating is too small to allow this. You might try a single needle straight stitch on your sewing machine and use a large crochet hook to invert the tube.

[@kristinadavis2127]

@@Mike--K I agree that you hit the most likely issues on the head. For making mask ties, I find the easiest method is just to use a bias tape folder, iron the strips, then fold in half and stitch closed using a regular sewing machine. Strips are strong, raw ends are encased/secured, and you use a lot less thread than with a serger (but more fabric). No turning required.