Corners and Curves | Serger Tips and Tricks

Serging around corners and curves can be a little tricky, but when you know these handy tips and tricks, it’s no problem at all.
Learn how to easily sew around square outer and inner corners and how to sew curves without any puckering.
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BONUS SERGING TIPS
Serging Curves: 30
Outer & Inner Corners: 2:47
Starting and Stopping without a Tail: 7:54
Serging IN THE ROUND: 9:35
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[@MissEParton]

I'm new to a serger and an extremely green sewist, but so thankful for your videos! I love that you aren't overly chatty about irrelevant stuff and your voice is pleasant to listen to 😊

[@JanHowell]

Why thank you!

[@SavvySewing]

I needed to this video. I knew there was a way to serge and not have thread tails but could not remember it. I'm so glad this came across my feed. Thank you!!

[@danielleday2263]

Honestly, a link to this video should be included with every new serger sold. Wish I had found this a year ago 😂. Thanks for sharing your expertise!!!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@esperansaloughran693]

Very nice video, full of wonderful tips!

[@slaveNo-4028]

such a nice video! Good quality, well visible what you do, concise, and a good couple of tips well explained! Just overall nice work! not only a great seamstress but also a great video videographer & editor, Thanks a lot!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind

[@Ione1916]

Thank you so much Jan. Very easy to understand and your vid came to me just the right time. Got my serger a couple weeks ago and I am still learning.

[@JanHowell]

How fun, I am so happy for you. Glad it was helpful!

[@murmurpoppy5107]

Very helpful! Answered exactly the questions I had. Thank you!!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome.

[@no1goodshoesfan]

Very helpful, thanks a lot!!

[@alinamorgan89]

Thank you for these great tips, Jan! It's inspiring to a beginner. 😊

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@pottieann]

Best video I have ever watch on curves in corners! Thank you very well demoed!

[@JanHowell]

Wow, thanks! Glad you liked it

[@brendalamb6815]

So so helpful! Thank you for these serger tips! You showed me how to solve my biggest problems when using my serger and now I have more confidence I can make beautiful seams.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@etoiledemer7472]

super cool vid, very clear

[@JanHowell]

Glad you liked it

[@cmaclin1]

These are such helpful tips! Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@Alexis-xp1gb]

This was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you! 🥰

[@JanHowell]

You’re welcome 😊

[@tex1622]

So helpful, thanks Jan!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@charmainekirk1512]

I always enjoy your videos and patterns!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind

[@donna57]

Great tutorial, I learned so much

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@valeriepetersen3524]

You are a great teacher! This was so helpful. Thankyou!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@peggylewis2735]

Excellent video. Your instructions are so clear and the video was so helpful. 😊

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful 😉

[@abee8405]

Thank you! I'm new to the world of sergers and you just answered so many questions 🌻🌻🌻 I can't thank you enough🥰

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@valeriepetersen3524]

I followed your instructions for outside corners!! Awesome!! Thank you so much!!!!

[@JanHowell]

Glad it helped!

[@GrandmaSezSo]

I am a beginner and just got a Singer ProFinish serger. I am learning so much from your videos. Thank goodness you have them because I feel so lost on this machine.

[@JanHowell]

Wonderful!

[@gwengorospe5260]

It finally makes sense!! Was shown this when I first started serging!! ( about 9 months ago) Thank you so much!!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@marinetefalcao]

Wow!! Fantastic!! 💕

[@JanHowell]

Thanks

[@lavenahenley3547]

Excellent advice!! Thanks

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@ritakresek2250]

Thanks Jan soooo very helpful, loving all you do for us,!,

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome. Thanks. You are so kind

[@newwife777]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome.

[@scathach1777]

I'm new too, and she is a great calm teacher!

[@JanHowell]

Hey, thanks so much

[@karenbensdon4643]

Super helpful and clear.

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sooz3112]

Excellent, thank you so much x

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@SusanSmith-hl3iv]

❤❤❤❤❤ I’m new to serging and really needed this video. I’m so glad that your older videos are recirculated or I would have missed it. You are a natural teacher. The closeup views really helped. Thanks for sharing!😊

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@tenkac]

This was a great video! Very helpful indeed as I don’t know anything about it. I’m about to purchase my very first serger 🥰 so this will come in handy when I start sewing with it. Many thanks

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@sallyf2060]

Thank-you - fabulous tutorial x

[@JanHowell]

Thank you! 😊

[@griftersowa1]

Excellent!!!!! This tips I needed to know. Thanks a lot

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome.

[@moeymauney886]

Wonderful help

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful

[@amandacharles9877]

Great instructions for sewing in the round.

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful

[@tanralltcentre]

Thank you for this easy to follow tutorial.

[@JanHowell]

You’re welcome 😊.

[@monstersmomma8594]

Thank you! So helpful!

[@JanHowell]

You're so welcome

[@quinciwilliams672]

Very helpful! ❤

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful

[@auraroldan1420]

Love it, thank you!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@wandagoncalves3049]

Excellent video thank you

[@JanHowell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephanieing404]

Your video just saved my sewing project! Thankyou!

[@JanHowell]

You’re welcome 😊

[@nancybenson1951]

Excellent video.❤

[@JanHowell]

Thank you!

[@jenb9274]

Thank you for the tips! I was intimidated by my serger, this is helpful.

[@zahkilovett]

Very helpful thanks

[@JanHowell]

You're welcome

[@harleyquebecenrevue3580]

Brilliant tips, thank you.

[@JanHowell]

My pleasure!

[@Houseofmay]

great tip at the ende!

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Suzicherie7777]

This video is going to save me a lot of time on my projects! Wow! Thank you so much!!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@Raquelita.creates]

Thank you so much for these tips! They were super helpful and I learned so much!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@lucilledaub5991]

Great serger ways to do rounded curves and straight squares.

[@JanHowell]

Glad you liked it

[@melanielynnkeyes6075]

Thank you, Ma’am.

[@JanHowell]

You're welcome 😊

[@NgaTran-hm8zu]

Thank you 👏🏻👏🏻

[@JanHowell]

You’re welcome 😊

[@karenegan1688]

Great tips, especially, flipping the cutter up. I didn’t know that one…thank you.👏🏻

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome.

[@hermionecarsten7294]

Thanks!

[@JanHowell]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@kaycee18]

I'm new to serging & I've been having a terrible time with curves and corners. This was a Godsend! Now I have to go look thru your channel for advice on how to adjust the tension discs for different types of fabrics. Having trouble getting it right for cotton knits & thick fabrics like terrycloth. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@JanHowell]

You're so welcome!

[@PhoebeEmeralyn]

Thank you!!!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@bronzefox9035]

This was a wonderful explanation for a newbie like me!

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mrs.m.b.3630]

Thank you simple and very useful advice. Subscribed

[@JanHowell]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ministersofthenewcovenant2951]

This is genius. Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

You're welcome

[@portialanden6353]

Wow Jan, you're good! I dont have a serger yet, but I'm thinking of getting one. I feel it will save me some work and make sewing more fun. You're a great teacher! Thank you for posting!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks for your kind words.!

[@portialanden6353]

@@JanHowell you're very welcome for the kind words. I now got a brother surger so now I will be watching this video several times. Still learning on how to adjust my stitch length and with. I feel overwhelmed! Have a great day!

[@vickyponcedeleon8691]

Thanks a lot from my heart 💜 You save me, I didn’t know how to do it, I am teaching my self

[@JanHowell]

Wonderful. Keep sewing my friend.

[@iamaku60]

Thank you so much...well explained... very helpful for a beginner like me... lots of luv ❤from malaysia

[@JanHowell]

You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful

[@69bird71]

Thanks, I now know what to do with the beginning and end chains.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@jenny6212]

Thanks ,you solve my problems.🇹🇼

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome and glad this was helpful.

[@shawnabelle2824]

That was the BESTever

[@JanHowell]

Why thank you!

[@coolyou-td8zn]

This has been so helpful!! I was trying to serge an underarm seam and I messed up because I don't know how to serge around the corners and curves. Thank you! I am gonna practice them now !

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Jan, fantastic demo + tips. I still have my Bernette 334DS from the 90's. I believe it is made by Juki (only because I saw an identical Juki model in the metaverse! when I was searching for threading videos two decades after my last use of it.). It is still going strong.

[@JanHowell]

Very cool!

[@andrearoe974]

Oh my gosh, thanks so much for these tips! I've been on the struggle bus with sharp corners and curves today...on metallic brocade of all things lol!

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maryannnewsham7714]

Lots of good tips in this tutorial Jan. You explain things very well and my surgery is coming back from the dealer this week so I am going to be sure to try these out. My one question is are you using a three thread or a four thread overlock on these corners and curves? Thanks

[@JanHowell]

In this tutorial I used four threads 🧵

[@ajc2338]

Thanks so much, was wondering what to do with those tails, so I sewed them in. Just practising on flannel squares at the moment, so hadn't got around to turning corners!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome

[@peeshyholland433]

Awesome instructions. Sergers can be really frustrating.

[@JanHowell]

Glad you like it!

[@portialanden6353]

Would you happen to have a video on adjusting the W/L of the stitches in a surger? I enjoy all your videos. Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

I don't, but what a great suggestion!

[@cloeshmoroz4512]

Thank you for all the tips and tricks ! I was going way too fast and was messing up everything 😓

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@Lee-fb4oj]

love your videos--need to buy a new sewing machine--my last one did not reverse easily --could you please recommend one that will not break the bank? ty so much❣️p.s. do you like your serger? would you recommend that I buy a serger first? ty

[@JanHowell]

HI Lee, I would recommend getting a regular sewing machine first. There are a lot of things you can do with a regular sewing machine, even an overlock stitch. I have a tutorial for that here. As far as what kind of machine to get, there are soooooo many out there that you can get for a reasonable price. If you can go to a sewing machine store, I recommend going in and trying them out. They all feel so different, Just depends on your needs and how it feels to you. There is a lot of advice and recommendations out there. Here is one link that has some good suggestions. You can even find some good used ones out there.

[@hkmc88]

I saw apon movie and left message inquriy paper pattern unitl now haven’t as a result looking forwarding your reply I am appreciate you’re shared and clearly expression part of sewing machine to new studies members let’s we getting more knowledge .

[@JanHowell]

Hello, I did reply to your comment on the apron tutorial. Not sure why its not showing up in your feed. You can locate the pattern on my website to download and print. I do not ship out paper copies of the pattern. I'm sorry. Here is the link for the utility apron PDF pattern. youmakeitsimple.com/product/utility-apron-pdf-pattern-instant-download/

[@hkmc88]

@@JanHowell Error Code 22 This request has been blocked by Patchstack Web Application Firewall . If you are a legitimate user, contact the administrator of the site

[@hkmc88]

While i click on the link showing these 👈🏻

[@yourmother9834]

I should have watched this before I tried to make a shirt for my toddler this morning I cut out over 5 bodices before I finally got an actual shirt because I was cutting holes into my own seams. I was so frustrated. Now ive made two. 😂

[@JanHowell]

Glad it worked out

[@jeriklein415]

Your camera angle is excellent! 💕I’ve been looking for instructions for a serged inseam pocket and the camera angles are terrible.

[@JanHowell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@10mileroadie]

Jan, I like to sew burp cloths with rounded corners. Do I have to cut the corners before stitching to get the nice edges? So far they have had sloppy loops, as if the tension is not right. Thank you for these great tips!

[@JanHowell]

I would cut the corners first (rounded), then when sewing, just cut off a little fabric as you sew around the burp cloth.

[@susanmei9980]

Did you do the inner square corners with your knife disengaged? I didn’t see any fabric being cut off at all. Would this inner corner technique work on a rolled hem? Thanks so much for this video! 🌷

[@JanHowell]

The knife is still engaged. When you feed the fabric through, hold it so it doesn't cut off any fabric. You can see at this timestamp, how I hold the fabric and you'll also see the blade moving up and down, still engaged. I hope this helps.

[@carlanneselvester7191]

Hi Jan, I'm new to using a serger, and I'm making a T-shirt that have 5/8" seams. In this case, I can't use the same focal point for a gauge, as you did in your video. So, I'm wondering how do I serge a curved 5/8" seam, without a "physical guide" to align the fabric with?

[@JanHowell]

I would cut down the curve so you have less bulk to see on the curve. May I ask what you're making that has a 5/8 inch seam allowance? You can also apply a little masking tape on your machine where the 5/8 inch seam allowance would be. I hope that makes sense.

[@carlanneselvester7191]

@@JanHowell Hi Jan, thank you very much for replying! The project that I'm trying to sew, is from the tutorial by "Anita by Design" called, "How to Sew a T-Shirt with a Serger". She has an actual "physical" seam guide allowance on her "Baby Lock Vibrant Serger", that can be pulled out to the correct seam allowance. I have a Brother 1034d, that doesn't have a seam guide to follow.

[@sarahpurvis2038]

Were you using the cutting blade on this demo?

[@JanHowell]

Yes

[@dankthompson]

When sewing a Princess seam, is it OK to clip threw the serged edge to release some of the tension in the seam it self? Won't it ruin the finished edge that you just serged? Or, will the serged finished edge be ok and not Frey? 🤔

[@JanHowell]

I would not clip. The serged edge will keep it from fraying

[@benstrauss297]

did you take the blade off for this?

[@JanHowell]

no

[@MrChatkaru]

My sergers's speed isn't adjustable, how to take control of this situation

[@JanHowell]

Just take it slow

[@odettepross2435]

how can i serg around a small very tight corner. i find myself having to go flat out and spin the material, sometimes i win sometimes i dont lol

[@JanHowell]

This tutorial will show you how to do corners.

[@5d41k3]

Are the fabrics stretchy?

[@JanHowell]

No, but will work with knits as well

[@veraberry2548]

What are the serger settings

[@JanHowell]

Just use your basic overlock stitch settings. This depends how wide and tight you want your stitch to be. This method works on all settings. I hope that was helpful.

[@ca147]

Is there anything a serger can't do that a sewing machine can do?

[@JanHowell]

Yes. A lot of things.

[@TheRealGypsyJane]

on my Bernette, need to turn handwheel AWAY from me.

[@JanHowell]

Yes, some machines work a little different

[@margarita_ville]

thank you! Very helpful!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome