Sew Sister: Tutorial

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More on The Merrylock 740DSA Overlocker

Do you struggle with looking for information on the 4-thread Merrylock 740DSA? It seems to be almost invisible on the Internet, my country New Zealand, doesn't have a lot of information either. Though it can still be bought off trade me at (Direct Sewing Machines-Auckland) or here.

Juki MO-50/51e, any information you find on this serger/overlocker will also apply to the 4- thread Merrylock 740DSA.

Here are my latest findings...The Juki 50/51 MO-e can now be bought in New Zealand through trade me (Auckland Sewing). So If you wanted a Merrylock and can't get one you can get a Juki or visa versa. The Juki comes with the DVD.

Also the facade of the Juki MO-51/50 is different to the Merrylock but the three of them still have the same workings, threading, stitches etc.

Images © Sew Sister and Google

You can see the facade on the Juki is totally different to the Merrylock
which is just straight and flat. Image© goggle

A video I like a lot on you tube gives you very specific instructions on the Juki MO-51e, and the instructions are suitable for the 4-thread Merrylock 740 DSA also. These are exactly the same instructions for learning to use the 4-thread Merrylock 740 DSE.

One important lesson I did learn was the Merrylock overlocker/serger must be re threaded in order all the time. You will laugh at this one...I only discovered where my accessories were a few months back. They are hidden within the machine, nice and tidy...

Image © Sew Sister

Instruction Manual For Juki MO-51e:

To download the manual PDF go to http://www.jukihome.com/products/serging50.html. This website takes a moment to open. Use this manual if you have not got a 4-thread Merrylock Manual it's the same instructions.

Juki Household Sewing Machine, Japan shows accessories that can be bought for the Juki MO-50e overlocker/serger, and I would say these will fit the Merrylock also. See here for MO-50e attachments.

Another Blogger has done a good review on the Juki; blog post-review Juki MO 50e/51e . This is worth having a look at too.

Optional Attachments For Juki and Merrylock:

Blind Stitch Foot
Elasticator Foot
Beading Foot
Piping Foot
Gathering Foot
Taping Foot

Merrylock 740DSA Tension

Not my favourite thing but here we go....

Here is the tension setting I usually use for my Merrylock 740DSA Overlocker. I've tried other settings, but I usually come back to this one. It seems to work on cotton, and stretch fabric okay...Never tried it really heavy fabric but for mid-weight fabric the stitch seems fine.

Stitch length dial setting.

Keeping a record...

Cutting width adjustment.

Differential feed dial setting.

Using these tension numbers at present.

Overlocker Thread on Cotton Flannel fabric.

Japanese Pattern: Gathered Skirt With a Bow

Have you checked out the ebook How To Sew Japanese Patterns on the blog Sew in Love by Rin.

I purchased it sometime last year, saved it to a hard drive and forgot about it until now...The fabric for this high waisted skirt I have had a long time. It was originally bought for a dress but it crinkled so much I didn't fancy having to iron it all the time...

While this skirt is an easy sew it is work intensive, firstly you have to get your head around the Japanese, then you have to trace your pattern and add seam allowances. Rin has done a great job with all the things you need to know about Japanese patterns, and the English instructions for the skirt. A great resource to have.

Though I must say me being me, who is always doing things backwards. I started out this sewing project without reading anything except the English instructions for 'How to putting the skirt together', nothing else. Hence I missed adding seam allowances onto the skirt. I just went for it and followed the pictures and forgot about seam allowances.

Sometimes I believe learning by doing is the way to go, and today was the day I followed that philosophy. I absolutely loved making this skirt, it was a challenge through my own making. I found the whole process interesting, and I was so pleased with the fit for someone who is over 6ft.

This is my daughter's skirt. I've never been able to wear gathered skirts I'm too short wasted, they just don't suit me. I cut the pattern and fabric out on LL size. I probably could have gone a size down or even smaller as I had plenty of fabric left over on the back seam when fitting. This pattern is so much nicer than a similar skirt I made, a New Look high waisted gathered skirt.

If you want to purchase this ebook you can find out about it here.

Awhile back I had my lovely Japanese daughter in-law help me look at a children's Japanese pattern book that I bought awhile back. It was interesting for me because she is not a sewer so we ended up being both learners together. She was able to translate the Japanese words into English, and I could tell her what they meant for me when cutting out the pattern and sewing it. It was a nice time together.

Who hates those hem fittings? I am afraid I am not the nicest hem fitter, you certainly wouldn't want me marking your hem. I am just so impatient with my commands, that I actually almost yell when the person turns the wrong way....Only to my family though. Poor things they have to stand on a table really still with me barking commands from underneath.

Finally it's hemmed...

Here is the finished skirt, it was very sunny out so the pics aren't as clear as I would have liked. The hem wasn't that easy to do because the fabric is just so flimsy. I just straight stitched it in the end on the good old Bernina 801. But I must say I really enjoyed sewing from this pattern. You might like to try it too!

The fabric I used was a very light cotton that crinkled so easily
A very floaty fabric perhaps it should have been lined. But I
didn't want to add bulk around the waist.

Will sew again at some stage. Loved this project and
I love how the way the fabric flows and the style...

Children's Art at Christmas Time

Keep the artworks and scan them onto your computer. Then surf your way over to PicMonkey, a photo editing website (the basic stuff is free). Upload your pics and have fun playing with all the features and make yourself some Christmas cards. Children feel very proud and valued when you do stuff like this, it's always worth seeing that important look on their faces...

After you have finished editing the cards you have made, save them back onto your desk top. Now print them out, or take your print to the nearest copy centre. Remember to use a good quality card.

These cards are Christmas postcards and they are now already to send, or give away...

A Toucan Bird Christmas card...drawn by
the little person in the house!

Lets Make a Cushion Cover

Are you new to sewing, or just a kid who wants to sew his mum a cushion Do you want to use an invisible zip? Making a cushion cover is fun and fairly simple. The tricky part is the invisible zip...

There are plenty of invisible zip tutorials on the Internet. But I learn best by pictures, and so do a lot of children, so this video a good one for a beginner to learn from.

Materials Needed

Approximately 1 metre of fabric if fabric has a nap

1 cushion inner/ or make your own from an old pillow

Thread to match fabric

Pins

Tape measure/ quilters ruler

1 Invisible zip 30- 35 cm. Size will depend on cushion cover

Newsprint/paper to make pattern

Sewing machine

Overlocker/Serger a zig-zag stitch

Sharp scissors

Quilters cutting mat

What Does Nap Mean?

Nap is fabric that has a pile like velvet. This makes the fabric look different shades of colour from different angles. Hence you need to cut the fabric in the same direction, or the garment you are sewing will look like you have used two different fabrics.

Cushion size

Is approximately 46 cm. Cover size is approximately 43cm.

Okay Lets Start Sewing

Firstly choose the fabric, check for one way designs and nap. Make sure the nap is going the right way if you chooses something like velvet, fur, etc. The big one is to check for flaws in the fabric, there is nothing worse than sewing up your creation and you spot a flaw.

Oh no a flaw, I didn't check the fabric before I cut out the
cover so now I have one flawed cushion!

Make the pattern out of newsprint. I used a 43x43cm (17") pattern
for a 46x46cm (18") cushion inner.

Purchase a invisible zip to match the fabric. Mine is 30-35cm long

Using a iron, not too hot. Iron the zipper teeth flat on the wrong
side, one side at a time. Refer to video above.

Three pairs of cushion covers ready to sew out of 1 1/2 metres
fabric. Fabric bought from Spotlight

Overlock the edge of fabric you are sewing the zip on to. Make
sure you have the design and Nap of the fabric going the right
way. The zip is at the bottom of the cushion.

Pin zip approximately 5/8" from the overlocked edge

Use an invisible zip foot start to sew the zip.

Get ready to start to turning the zip to pin to the other side.
Refer to video...

Zip turned over now. Pin it to sew. Excuse the messy
sewing mat...

The inside/ wrong side of zip finished

Using a zipper foot sew up to zip stitching and stitch a little bit over.
It doesn't matter if you stitch a bit below the zip stitching.

This is how the zip will look on the out side of the cover.

Pin 5/8" seams around the cover on wrong side.

Change machine to a straight stitching foot and sew seams.

Next overlock/serge the rest of seams

You don't need to tie off overlocker stitches because you are
going to cut them off.

Cut straight across the corners and beware of the seam. Use fabric
glue where you have cut to prevent fraying. This is optional.

Use something pointy/or a tool designed for poking out corners.
This makes the sewn corners nice and square

Place the cushion into the cushion cover.

If you want a tighter cover just subtract measurements when
drafting the pattern. If you want a looser cover just add measurements.
Don't forget your seam allowance though.

Making Homemade Clay

While the image was passable for the medal...When I painted on the gold paint the back cracked. Maybe it wasn't dry enough...

When I Woke up...

I could hear the sewing machine buzzing away this morning....It wasn't me sewing so who was it? That cat he had his paws on the sewing machine foot, with half of his big body on top of it. The Bernina was sewing away tangling up all the thread...