I finally got a chance to sit down to my serger and whipped up the
Simplicity 2603 cardi wrap.
I know I'm late to this party - there are already over
80 reviews of this pattern on PR! There is something to be said for standing on the shoulders of greatness... I decided to sew this after
Judy mentioned in a comment that she had used cardis like this as a nursing cover. What a great idea! Cute, fashionable, and one less thing to shove in the already overstuffed diaper bag. I was on it!
I don't have much to add to the collected wisdom on PR. My version is made of a very thin cotton/lycra jersey that I got at
FFC. I assembled it completely on the serger, using a 3 thread overlock and inserting the neckline elastic with my elastic/tape foot. As many of the other sewists who have made this chose to do, I did not hem, as I didn't want to alter the drape. I considered a rolled hem, but even with the differential feed at 2, I got some rippling when I tried it out, so instead I used the serger unthreaded (gasp!) to trim off the hem allowance and give it a smooth edge, which I don't ever achieve with shears.
So, my question to those of you with sergers is this - What thread(s) are your favorite for serging and where do you get them? Here in small town Texas, my only sources are Hancock, which carries a few colors of Maxi-Lock, and Walmart, which carries a lower quality thread that I don't love, but has a few more colors. I'm hoping for an online thread mecca. Does it exist?
ETA (11:00) - Wow, y'all are awesome! So far, Maxi-lock at
Atlanta Thread & Supply has the strongest following (and the lowest price at 1.85 a cone!).
SewTrue also has a good price and excellent color selection as well as great prices on zippers and an impressive closeouts selection. Of course, if I had been paying attention to
Liz's sidebar, I wouldn't have had to ask. Check out all the great online shops she has linked! I'm about to break the bank...
20 comments:
I'm not a "thread snob", and 3 (sometimes 4) spools needed, I like Maxi-Lock. There are 72 colors available, and when I googled it, I found it selling for about $2/spool. This link has a .pdf for all the thread colors!
http://store.atlantathread.com/maxilock.html
Oh, and great cardi-wrap! I never thought to remove the thread and trim the sa, that's a neat idea!
Beautiful cardi and it would make the perfect nursing cover. Wish I had thought of that back in the day when I needed such a thing!
My thread mecca is Atlanta Thread and Supply. Their service is amazing, things ship out the same day you order and I love near instant gratification when it comes sewing supplies.
I am in the same boat, Walmart and a modest Hancock selection - I have been ok with Hancock's colors here. But the Atlanta Thread is a common resource, Carolyn mentions them some. Love the wrap - it looked longer on the envelope, glad it's not.
Like Liz and Kristine, I use Atlanta Thread. Great cardigan! I love the idea of using the serger to trim!
i second the vote for Atlanta Thread & Supply! I have been doing business with them for years. They never disappoint.
As to thread: when working with knits, anything for babies, and fabrics that ravel like crazy, bulky nylon thread in the upper looper is a must. I'm not a thread snob, either; but I have tried nearly every brand of bulky nylon (at higher and lower price points), and the original Wooly Nylon remains my thread of choice. I don't know that I've ever seen it in Hancock's, and only some Jo-Ann's carry it in a few colors. For full selection, you may have to go on-line.
At least, until this summer!
I agree with Liz, Atlanta Thread and Supply is great. Great customer service and great selection.
wow great job, love it.
Hi Katie!
I love Sewtrue http://sewtrue.com/ for all my thread and notions needs. I buy their Maxi-lock at a good price and they can't be beat for invisible zippers! Check their closeouts! They often have free shipping specials. They have one running now...I sent you a link with the coupon code! Love your cardiwrap and such a great idea as a nursing coverup! I should make one for my daughter!
Love the cardi! I hadn't thought about using it as a nursing cover--so smart.
Maxi-Lock is swell. I bought REALLY cheap thread when I started serging, and then on a whim I bought some Maxi-Lock--it's SO much nicer. The Toldi-lock from JoAnn doesn't sit on my machine quite right, but it's okay too.
I haven't tried Atlanta Thread, but I've been thinking I just plum need too. I can no longer get Woolly Nylon where I live.
The cardigan is lovely! I think you've sewn and knitted more in the month since you've had your sweet baby than I have in the past 6 months. And it all looks wonderful.
Very lovely,it's really a good cardy, and to double as a cover , then that's a score. I made one last fall, and I have another fabric for another on my table. Great job. Hows' the little man doing?
No tips on thread--but I was happy to read them.
Love the cardi. Will you make it again? Great idea for nursing!
I'm still awed that you are sewing two weeks after Duncan was born! The cardi will be perfect for nusing, what a terrific idea. I think it would make a great new mom gift so thanks for that idea.
I love the wrap. I need to make myself one before they go out!
Atlanta Thread Supply is a great source. Another great source is cleaner's supply. When ATS is not having a sale, cleaner's supply's price on Maxi-Lock is better ($1.99). Plus their shipping is cheaper ($3.83 flat rate). AND they have the best prices on zips and buttons that I've seen.
Beautiful Cardi - and great idea to cut with the serger. I used my Olfa roller blade to cut the jersey knit on mine and that worked well. I also didn't use elastic - I'm very sensitive in my neck area.
Great idea to use it nursing. Perfect!!
WRT serger thread - I consider Maxi -Lock to be almost luxury serger thread. So, that is a good value - I shop down in the Fabric District and I don't think I can beat that price for that quality serger thread. . .I only use three neutral colors for my serger other than that I refuse to change threads:)
Also, my Bernina Dealer said to not buy black serger thread (admittedly my favorite color). . . he stated that it is of lesser quality than other colors - and he's in his 80s and has been in the sewing business his whole life - unsure if that is true. . . but interesting.
I love your cardi - so much snazzier than the one I LIVED IN when my twins were newborns!
What a great top for nursing. I'm sorry but you do not look like you just had a baby. AMAZING!
p.s. I never thought of using my serger without thread as a cutting tool. So smart. I'm thinking that smarts is something you are not short on!
Your's looks fantastic! I have made this pattern too but never posted any pics or reviewed it on PR.
Beautiful cardi, and good to know about thread. My mom's old Riccar serger is getting tuned up as we speak - I'll be embarking on that journey soon! Good to gave these resources!
Cute! I have several RTW versions (purchased before I started sewing) and they are great.
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