Stitch and looper problems

Hello

The serger chain will wrap or stack around the stitch fingers when stitching without fabric, this is normal. Place two layers of medium weight woven cotton under the presser foot and begin serging, the chain will wrap around the fabric cut edge to form stitches and 'push off' the originally stacked stitches.

Happy Serging
Sewingirl/

It is difficult to tell what exactly is happening with your serger.

First thing--make sure you RAISE the presser foot BEFORE you thread any of the threads. This releases the tension disks so the threads will seat properly. You may need to remove all the threads and rethread from the beginning, making sure you thread each in the proper order. Start out with the thread tensions set at the ideal setting--usually the halfway point between the high & low numbers. From there, you will adjust them to even up the thread tensions.

Are you actually trimming off some of the fabric as it is stitching? If so, you might try increasing the cutting width (moves the cutting edge further toward the right) so that there is more fabric caught within the looper threads. It also appears that the looper tensions may be too loose. Try tightening the upper and lower looper tensions so less of the thread loops don't fall off the fabric's raw edge.

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I don't have a Janome, but you might check your threading to see if it's correct, lucky you to get a new one!!!

It appears that there are two issues: skipping stitches, and, loose stitches. Let's deal with them individually but first some general points to check.
1. Change both needles for completely fresh ones out of the package. Make sure that they are inserted all the way up, this is very important. The right needle should appear longer than the left one. Make sure also that you are using the correct needles for your serger.
2. Use a good quality thread with very little stretch, almost no fuzzies, and in pastel colour. Dark thread ages quicker, therefore has a shorter shelf live. A good quality sewing machine thread is also acceptable.
3. Make sure that the tension dials are clean and free of lint or other debris.
4. Re-thread the serger in this order, keeping the presser foot in the down position at all times
a) Upper looper. Ensure that the thread is securely embedded inside the tension discs. Place the thread tail under the presser foot to 11:00 o'clock and place the presser foot down again
b) Lower looper. This is the difficult one to thread but make sure that all the thread guides are properly threaded as well as the upper looper elbow. Check that the thread is lodged between the tension discs. Once the lower looper eye is threaded, place the thread in front and over the upper looper and then under the presser foot to 11:00 o'clock and place the presser foot down again.
c) Right Needle. Thread the right needle path, again ensuring that the thread is between the tension discs. Place the thread tail under the presser foot to 11:00 o'clock and lower the presser foot.
d) Left Needle. Proceed as with left needle.
e) Double check that all tension dials have their respective threads embedded between the discs by pulling firmly up on each thread above the tension dials.
f) Check that the stitch length is set to between 2.5 and 3.0, differential to normal, blade position to middle, blade is engaged, and upper looper converter not in use.
g) Set tensions to recommended setting for 4-thread overlock.
g) Make a test stitch out. How is it? Still having the same issue/s?
If yes, continue with the items listed below, otherwise have a great time serging.

Skipping Stitches:
1. Check that the looper tips are smooth. Burrs will cause problems.
2. Check that the needles match the type of fabric being sewn.

Loose Stitches:
1. Double check threading.
2. Debris caught between tension discs will also manifest itself in loose stitches. Take an 8" X 6" piece of medium weight clean and lint free cotton fabric, fold it in half length-wise and pass the fold only firmly between the tension discs from top to bottom (with the presser foot up and no thread in the tension dials).

Re-thread and test stitch. How is it now?

... not quite sure what you mean by "not stitching", here are a few things to check. If the problem is more specific, please leave me a note with more details.
Let's start right from the beginning (for 4-thread overlock/serge):
1. According to the serger manual, ensure that the proper needles are being used. That they are inserted all the way up into their positions and that the flat side of the needle is facing away from you. The left needle will appear to be shorter that the right, that is OK, all is going perfectly.
2. Use four good quality spool of serger thread (good quality sewing thread is fine also) and place them on the spool or cone holders. There should be "little bucket looking things" that fit onto the cone pins to make the cones sit nice and straight, use them. Rattling thread will cause grief.
3. The first thread to be loaded onto the serger is the Upper Looper ...it is the big needle looking thing that swings left to right and back again above the sewing surface. Follow all the threading guided according to your manual, the threading guides are generally coded in a colour specific for this looper. Once the eye of the Upper Looper is threaded, place the thread under the presser foot and to the left. Presser foot down.
4. Next is the Lower Looper, the big needle looking thing that swings left to right and back again under the sewing surface. It can be a bit tricky in some sergers as the thread need to pass to the left and then back to the right under the sewing surface. Your manual should have a good diagram if you can not follow the threading guides on the serger itself. Again the threading guides are generally colour coded with a different colour but specific for the Lower Looper. Once the looper is threaded, it is important that the thread is placed directly OVER the Upper Looper as it comes out of the eye of the Lower Looper. Place the thread now under the presser foot and to the left. Presser foot down.
5. Thread the right needle front to back and place the thread under the presser foot and to the left. Presser foot down.
6 Thread the left needle front to back and place the thread under the presser foot and to the left. Presser foot down.
7. Hold the four thread ends firmly in the left hand and give each thread individually a good pull down over the serger and behind, this will ensure that the threads are all engaged in the tension dials.
8. Set the tensions to the middle number, although this may vary with the brand and model of your serger. If you have the manual check for the correct settings specific to your unit.
9. Set differential to 'normal', or '0' (if your unit has one)
10. Set stitch length to about 2 1/2 to 3.
11. Make sure that the blade is in cutting position. We can trouble shoot blade position later if needed.
12. Make sure that you have the overlocking plate installed ... not the rolled hem plate (if your serger has two plates). Some sergers use the same plate for both functions.
13. Using two layers of medium weight fabric do a test stitch, what is the result? Is a chain forming? Are there stitches on the fabric? Are they looking the way they should?
Hopefully this has helped you, please let me know.
Cheers.

Here are a few things to try.
1. Make sure that correct type of needles are being used, both are the same size, and that the needle size matches the fabric weight. This is the first serger to use 15X1 needles.
2. Make sure that the needles are installed correctly and are pushed all the way up. Have you replaced the old needles with new ones, not other used ones?
3. Thread has a shelf life, it can expire over-night. Just to eliminate this possibility, replace all threads with fresh good quality serging thread (and not just another spool which was purchased some time ago).
4 It sounds like you have re-threaded the serger correctly according to manual instructions. Here is a sure fire method:
- thread the upper looper and place the thread behind the needles under the presser foot. Make sure that the thread is lying firmly between the tension discs.
- thread the lower looper (the tricky one). Check that the thread is between the tension discs as before and place the thread over the upper looper and then behind the needles, and under the presser foot.
- thread the needles, checking that the thread is between the corresponding tension discs. Place the thread under the presser foot.
5. Check stitch length.
6. Check if the problem persists with other fabric types, use two layers. If the problem occurs with only a particular fabric, then the cause is incorrect needles.
7. Check tips on both upper and lower loopers. They should be free of burs, smooth, and have a semi-sharp point.
Hopefully this will solve your problem, if not it may be time to have it inspected by a qualified technician.
Please rate how effective were these suggestion in solving your problem, it is important to me.

you might want to get a new thread or a needle
or try checking the functioning places by checking under

The loopers must be threaded before the needles.

Make sure that the needles are not threaded. Thread the loopers and have the loose ends behind the presser foot. Then re-thread the needles and place a scrap of fabric under the foot and sew. Make sure that the edge of the fabric is not to the right of the plate, but where it would be if the knife had cut it.

Is the hook you are referring to on the needle plate (stitch finger) and the stitches form around it or does it move side to side while sewing (looper).
If thread is hanging on the fingers on the plate there is probably a rough edge that they are sticking on. You may also have a crack in the plate that is not allowing the fabric to go through and the stitches stack up. Remove the foot and check for a crack in the plate. With the foot on you won't be able to see it.
If hanging on a looper, it is out of position or you may be threaded wrong.